André Schürrle proved to be the most critical player in this World Cup that virtually nobody is talking about. His pace and high-energy play helped change the trajectory of Germany’s matches against Algeria and Argentina. The Chelsea midfielder, who spent a season in and out of Jose Mourinho’s doghouse, ended the Premier League campaign as […]

The inevitable question of Leo Messi's greatness will surely start after Argentina's 1-0 loss in extra time to Germany. Despite a few flashes of greatness during the final game in the 2014 World Cup, Messi was a shadow of himself in the second half, and was caught on camera showing a lack of respect for […]

Dave O'Brien, ESPN's lead soccer commentator for World Cup 2006, says that the USA games in the 2014 World Cup should have been announced by an American voice, and that he's envious of what FOX Sports is doing with Gus Johnson. O'Brien, who was a trainwreck when he announced World Cup games in 2006, had […]

Jurgen Klinsmann is a legend of German football, as a player. As a coach, his reputation may be more notable for the 3rd place finish in Germany’s own World Cup 8 years ago, and the spectacular flameout at Bayern Munich 3 years later. Now his reputation may have been rehabilitated by his former assistant Joachim […]

And so it finally happened! 120 minutes on the 13th of July 2014; 120 minutes in the famous Maracana Stadium; 120 minutes to determine the World Champions; 120 minutes to change soccer players into legends. ...and what a tense 120 minutes it turned out to be as a total of 36 fouls were made. With […]

In 2005, ABC/ESPN paid just $100 million for the English-language rights to the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups (as well as 2007 and 2011 Women's World Cups). That fee was dwarfed in 2011 when FOX paid $425 million to win the rights to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments. Based on what ABC/ESPN got […]

Germany won the World Cup late in extra time with a wonderful goal from Mario Gotze to deny Argentina. Here are the player ratings for both teams from the final. Germany Manuel Neuer, 8: Neuer didn’t have too much to do, but he played with an air of confidence that doesn’t come about unless […]

Congratulations to Germany on winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time. After the first 90 minutes ended 0-0, the match went to extra time. In the second half of extra time, Mario Götze's goal was the difference in the match after he chested the ball into his path and […]

Mario Götze scored a sensational goal for Germany deep in the second half of extra time, to give Germany a 1-0 lead against Argentina in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. "That looked like golddust to the Germans" exclaimed ESPN commentator Ian Darke, after Germany put the ball into the back of the net. Watch the […]

This is it. The game we wait every four years for, and it'll be over in 90 minutes or more. Savor every moment. And share your observations, rants and raves in the comments section below with fellow World Soccer Talk readers from around the world. Germany vs Argentina • English language: ABC and Watch ABC • Spanish […]

World Cup finals are often cagey events, with teams too nervous to make mistakes in case it costs them the game. But in the first half between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana, this was a joy to watch with both Argentina and Germany to put their teams in the lead. However, it remains scoreless […]

World Cup Final information at your fingertips: Germany World Cup Team Preview Argentina World Cup Team Preview Germany vs Argentina: Key player matchups Argentina vs Germany: By the numbers Germany vs Argentina World Cup Preview Where to find the World Cup Final on US TV and Internet Univision offers 12 hours of free-to-air World Cup […]

Now that he's signed with Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA star LeBron James will be attending the World Cup Final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil today to watch Argentina battle Germany for the most prestigious tournament in the world. After leaving Miami Heat and signing with the Cavaliers, it's almost as if someone asked "What are you […]

World Cup Final day finds the two nations’ newspapers in different moods. German newspapers express a brazen confidence while underdog Argentina harps on hope, prayer, and dreams. Frankfurter Allgemeine (above) has the most distinctive front page of the day. No words are necessary, just a closeup of the national teams shirt bearing a crest ringed by four […]

The comparisons between Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona can be a little tiresome, but they're understandably natural. Both supreme masters of their craft, both Argentinean No.10’s, both left-footed, both deistic figures for their compatriots. And on the cusp of the 2014 World Cup final, both potentially winning captains on the biggest stage of all. It […]