Few things are more impressive than German engineering except for the German Football team. Take the moment that Argentina thought they had taken the lead only to discover that Gonzalo Higuaín had not beaten the defensive line that the well-drilled German back four had perfected as the competition progressed. Whenever Argentina's forward line managed to skip past Germany's impressive defence they were then tasked with beating the formidable Manuel Neuer. Neuer personifies the expression "we shall not be moved" and moved, Germany and Neur, were not.
No team deserved to win the World Cup more than Germany. Germany came to Brazil with a unified and complete team who played for each other, from their first game against Portugal to their last game against Argentina. It is perhaps fitting that the two teams that Germany played at the start and the end of their World Cup campaign have one thing in common - one world renowned star player. This does not detract anything from the tremendous talents that both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are but rather to highlight the fact that the team that emerged as world champion is the one that is predicated on the success of a formidable squad rather than a single star. As their captain, Philipp Lahm, put it in his post-match interview with the BBC, "Whether we have the best individual players or whatever does not matter, you have to have the best team.
We stepped up time and again in the tournament, did not let ourselves get distracted by any disruption and went on our way. And at the end you stand there as world champions- an unbelievable feeling. The team has remained quiet and patient." A silence that is now deafeningly victorious.
If Messi had at least four players of the calibre of Germany's best in his team, Sunday's final may have been a different story.
But the reality is that although Argentina have some very gifted players none of them were good enough to best a talented squad like Germany. Germany's success in this tournament has been down to their admirable discipline, camaraderie and Joachim Low's brilliant personnel management. Four years ago, Germany suffered a painful semi-final defeat to Spain who went on to be the eventual winner of the 2010 World Cup which no doubt opened the wounds of Germany's semi-final defeat at their home World Cup in 2006.
However, Germany did not capitulate. They came back stronger, better and more together having learnt vital lessons from the last eight years. Over this time Germany have continued to bolster their strengths by nourishing young talents like Toni Kroos, Andre Schurrle and match winner Mario Götze.
Low has to be credited for the manner in which he has led Germany to their World Cup victory. After coming within touching distance over the last few tournaments he has changed his tactics and modified the team's system and believed in what he thought would work. He has taken incisive decisions which have paid dividends throughout this tournament, not least taking off Miroslav Klose and replacing him with Mario Götze. Under Low's stewardship Germany have excelled to rightfully become Weltmeister.
