Goetze scores late to give Germany the WC

Mario Goetze produced the piece of individual skill that Lionel Messi couldn't muster. With two quick, deft touches, Goetze ended Germany's 24-year wait for another World Cup title with an extra-time winner against Argentina - denying Messi the one title he needs to forever take his place among the game's all-time greats. It was the moment of brilliance that ensured Germany's 1-0 victory in a tight and tense final. Goetze controlled a cross with his chest in the 113th minute and in one fluid motion volleyed the ball past goalkeeper Sergio Romero and inside the far post. It delivered Germany its fourth World Cup title, equal second with Italy on the list of all-time champions and just behind Brazil's five. "It's an unbelievable feeling. I don't know how to describe it. You just shoot that goal in, you don't really know what's happening," Goetze said. "And then at the end of the match, having a party with the team, the whole country ... it is for us, a dream come true." At the final whistle, Germany players fell into a pile in a mid- pitch celebration. The 22-year-old Goetze went on as a substitute for Miroslav Klose near the end of regulation time and his fresh legs made the difference. Germany became the first European team to win a World Cup in the Americas, and the victory ends a string of near misses since winning its last major title at the 1996 European Championship. The team lost the 2002 World Cup final to Brazil, the Euro 2008 final to Spain and was eliminated in the semifinals in both 2006 and 2010. German coach Joachim Loew said the victory was well satisfying. "I think we deserve it because we have had the best performance of all the teams over seven matches." "We have been able to improve out performance and made constant progress. We believed in it and worked a lot for it and if anyone deserves it is these players. Argentina had not been back in the final since that 1990 loss to West Germany. "This was our chance, and we felt that way. We couldn't do it. We have to lift our heads and suffer the pain," Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano said. "Obviously, the pain is tremendous." It is Germany's first World Cup title as a unified nation, having won as West Germany in 1954, 1974 and 1990. The Germans faced Argentina in both the 1986 and 1990 finals, during Maradona's heyday. This time, they were up against Messi, the four-time world player of the year who is widely considered the best player since Maradona. But in the biggest game of his career, he came up short. Messi threatened intermittently throughout the match, but was effectively smothered by the German defence. Afterwards Messi had to trudge alone up the stairs of the Maracana to accept the Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player. "At this moment I don't care about this prize - only lifting the trophy matters," he said. "I'm hurt for losing the way we did. ... I think we deserved a little better, we had chances." After Messi received his award, the German team made its way up the stairs for captain Philipp Lahm to raise the hallowed 18- carat gold trophy. After Germany's last win in 1990, then coach Franz Beckenbauer predicted that a unified Germany would be "unbeatable" in the future. It took 24 years to prove him right but with young players like Goetze, the next wait may not be as long.