On this day in 2014, in a pulsating final at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium, Germany claimed their fourth FIFA World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina . Mario Götze’s 113th-minute goal— a brilliant volley from André Schürrle’s cross—secured the historic win, ending Germany’s 24-year wait for the trophy. The match featured intense drama: Lionel Messi’s second-half shot struck the post, while Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuaín missed a golden one-on-one chance. Germany’s triumph marked their first World Cup since 1990 and made them the first European team to win a World Cup in the Americas.
