87 days to go…
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Mario Gotze
Germany v Argentina
Brazil 2014 | Final
Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
“Show the world you are better than Messi,” Joachim Low told Mario Gotze as he sent him on in the 88th minute of the World Cup final.
It was some ask. Messi had illuminated the tournament with spellbinding skills, four goals – glorious efforts against Bosnia and Herzegovina, IR Iran and Nigeria included – and an awesome assist. Gotze had got merely seven minutes in the quarter-finals and zero in the semis.
The 22-year-old nevertheless checked his coach’s request. In the 22nd minute of extra time, he took a cross by fellow substitute Andre Schurrle on his chest exquisitely and volleyed the adidas Brazuca past Sergio Romero. Gotze had seized Germany a fourth star spectacularly.
