It was Germany's fourth World Cup triumph...
Germany were one of the frontrunners to win the World Cup in 2014 which was hosted by Brazil. Joachim Low's men started the tournament by thrashing Portugal 4-0 to make their intentions clear. They advanced to the knockout stage as group toppers and without losing a single game.
En route to the final, they defeated Algeria, France and Brazil to set up a summit clash with Argentina. In the semifinals, they defeated Brazil 7-1 which was the heaviest defeat for the Selecao in World Cup history. Within the first 30 minutes, Germany raced to a 5-0 lead while Andre Schurrle added two more in the second half.
In the final, Gonzalo Higuain missed a one-on-one opportunity with Manuel Neuer, whereas, Benedikt Howedes' shot struck the woodwork for Germany. In the second half, both teams created a couple of goalscoring chances but failed to capitalise. Even players like Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller could not convert the opportunities that fell for them.
With both sides locked in a deadlock, the match went into extra time. In the second half of extra time, Germany broke the deadlock with super substitute Mario Gotze scoring the goal. However, it was Schurrle who was the architect of the goal. He dribbled past two defenders on the left flank and then crossed inside the box for Gotze. The PSV Eindhoven striker controlled the ball with his chest and then volleyed the ball into the net to score the only goal of the match.
It was Germany's fourth World Cup title and the first by a European team in South America. Neuer won the Golden Glove while Messi was awarded the Golden Ball. Meanwhile, Muller won the silver boot and silver ball for scoring five goals and assisting on three other occasions.
Manuel Neuer (Goalkeeper)
Neuer continues to be Germany's first-choice keeper to date. In the 2014 World Cup, he kept four clean sheets and had completed 244 passes, two more than Messi. He is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world and currently plies his trade for Bayern Munich at the club level.
Philipp Lahm (Right-Back)
Lahm was the skipper of the German team that won the 2014 World Cup. In the group stages and even against Algeria in the Round of 16, he was deployed as a defensive midfielder by Joachim Low. However, in the business end of the tournament, he was reinstated to his favourite right-back position.
The World Cup final was his last international match. He is Germany's ambassador for the 2024 European Championship and is also involved in several business ventures.
Jerome Boateng (Centre-Back)
Boateng was in brilliant form in the final. He won 83 per cent of the duels and committed just one foul in 120 minutes. His last-ditch tackle in extra time to intercept an attacking move was crucial to keep the scoreline unchanged.
He currently plays for Lyon in France.
Mats Hummels (Centre-Back)
Hummels was not only timing his tackles to perfection in the defensive third but was also scoring some important goals in the opposite end. He scored against Portugal in the first match and then went on to find the winner against France in the quarterfinals.
He currently plays for Borussia Dortmund.
Benedikt Howedes (Left-Back)
Howedes played every single minute of the 2014 World Cup for Germany. He hit the crossbar in the final and performed his defensive duties quite brilliantly. He retired from football in 2020 and is currently pursuing a UEFA master's course for international players.
Christoph Kramer (Right-Midfield)
Kramer was included in the starting line-up for the final after Sami Khedira suffered a calf injury minutes before kick-off. However, he was substituted in the first half after he suffered a concussion following a collision with Ezequiel Garay.
Kramer currently plays for Borussia Monchengladbach.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Central Midfield)
The midfield general was key to Germany's success in the 2014 World Cup. He controlled the tempo of the final with his varied passing ability and was instrumental for Germany to win the midfield battle. After making 121 appearances for Germany he retired from international football in 2016. and from all formats in 2019. He is currently working as an expert with a German broadcaster.
Toni Kroos (Left Midfield)
Kroos scored three goals and provided four assists in the 2014 World Cup. He was named man of the match by FIFA for his impressive display against Brazil in the semifinals. He was also named in the 10-man shortlist for the golden ball award. Although he has retired from international football, he continues to play a pivotal role in midfield for Real Madrid.
Thomas Muller (Right-Wing)
Muller was one of the best players of the tournament as he scored five goals and provided three assists. He is only the third player to score at least five goals in each of his first two World Cups. He also made a place in the World Cup All-Star XI and the Dream team. He currently plays for Bayern Munich.
Miroslav Klose (Striker)
Klose holds the record for scoring the most number of goals (16) in World Cups. In 2014, he became the first player to appear in four consecutive World Cup semi-finals. Klose stayed on the pitch for 88 minutes and was then substituted by Mario Gotze.
After retiring from football, he has taken to coaching. In May 2020, he signed a one-year contract to become the assistant of Hansi Flick. He is currently on sabbatical after finishing his contract in 2021.
Mesut Ozil (Left-WIng)
Ozil was Germany's top scorer with eight goals in the 2014 World Cup qualification. He was in sublime form throughout the tournament and scored the winner against Algeria in the Round of 16. He completed the most number of passes (171) in the attacking third and went on to create 17 chances, the second-most by a player.
He is currently contracted to Fenerbahce in the Turkish league.
Andre Schurrle (Substitute)
Schurrle was mostly used as a substitute in the 2014 World Cup. He assisted the World Cup-winning goal which will be a key moment in his carer. He has retired from football at just 29. After retiring from football he has acquired the services of a "life-coach". He is not associated with football anymore and dedicates his entire time to his family.
Mario Gotze (Substitute)
Gotze might not score a more important goal in his career than the one he scored in the World Cup final. Before he was brought on Low whispered in his ears, "Show the world you are better than Messi and decide the World Cup." He became the first substitute to score the World Cup-winning goal and the youngest player to score in a World Cup Final since fellow German Wolfgang Weber in 1966, who was also 22.
He currently plays for PSV Eindhoven.
Per Mertesacker (Substititute)
The centre-back has over 100 appearances for Germany. He played regularly till the Round of 16 and in the final he came on in the dying minutes to replace Mesut Ozil.
He retired from football in 2018 and is currently the manager of Arsenal academy. He also co-owns a real estate agency called CO Immobilien alongwith former player Clemens Fritz.