Thomas Mueller Wins Awards As Spain Experience World Cup Glory

Germany’s Thomas Mueller lifted the Young Player of the Tournament award after inspiring performances, most notably against England and Argentina. Mueller’s efforts also won him the Golden Boot award, which is awarded to the highest goalscorer in the competition. Four other players were tied on 5 goals, though, but Mueller won the award on the basis that Mueller is the top goalscorer who also has the highest assists (3) compared to the players Mueller was tied on for the Golden Boot prize. Mueller beat out competition from David Villa, Wesley Sneijder and Diego Forlan to lift the Golden Boot award, and pipped Germany team-mate Mesut Ozil to the Young Player of the Tournament prize.

Mueller is the face of what could be a new golden age of German football. What was a young, inexperienced side that many dismissed at the start of the tournament, has reached the semi-final of the World Cup and took third place after beating Uruguay 3-2. Few in Germany would have bet on Mueller winning the awards that he has, and fewer would have bet on Germany reaching the heights that they have. While third is a bittersweet finish, Germans can find solace in the fact that they will challenge for World Cup glory for many years to come.

Spain marched into the World Cup final against the Netherlands, and pulled off a 1-0 win after extra time through an Andres Iniesta strike. This is the first time Spain have reached a World Cup final, and this is the third time the Netherlands have reached the final and also the third time they have lost.