Chronology of the 2014 World Cup Final: How Germany Won the Ultimate Prize

Your complete guide to Chronology of the 2014 World Cup Final: How Germany Won the Ultimate Prize, including expert perspectives.

The 2014 championship shifted geopolitical boundaries in world football history. Prior to that tournament, every World Cup staged in North or South America had been won by a South American nation: Uruguay in 1930 and 1950, Brazil in 1962 and 1970, and Argentina in 1978 and 1986. Germany broke that streak, confirming European dominance over the tournament cycle that began with Italy in 2006 and Spain in 2010.

The win pulled Germany level with Italy on four world titles, trailing only Brazil’s record total of five. It also cemented Joachim Löw’s status among international managers, justifying his tenure after consecutive near-misses at Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012.

For Argentina, the defeat began an agonizing stretch of three consecutive final losses in major tournaments, including the 2015 and 2016 Copa América finals, before Messi and his compatriots finally reversed their fortunes at the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.