6 World Cup Records, Facts and Stats After Germany’s 1-0 Win in Over Argentina in the WC Final

This wasn't the dominating performance like their 7-1 semi-final win over hosts Brazil; but it was still clinical and efficient as the European squad won the 2014 World Cup over Argentina, 1-0 at the Estadiodo Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The man of the match was a relative unknown— substitute Mario Goetze, who entered the pitch at the 88th minute mark and then scored the tie-breaking goal at the 113th minute of the second extra time.

Die Mannschaft delivered the goods on Sunday local time (Monday morning in Australia) and they Germans have broken/rewritten some pages in the World Cup history books.

Here are 6 World Cup Facts and Stats after Germany Won the 2014 World Cup

1. Germany’s 4 World Cup Titles – Second Most by Any Country in World Cup History

With the tight win over Argentina in the final, Germany has tied Italy with four titles total in the World Cup winning in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. In retrospect, the big win over Brazil in the semifinals was crucial if the chase for the best soccer country in history is considered.

They stopped the Brazilians chance for a sixth WC title (Brazil were winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002) and are now one WC victory away from tying them at No.1.

2. Germany’s 224 Goals – Most by Any Country in World Cup History

Thanks largely to their seven-goal, record-setting explosion in the semifinals, Germany broke the record for most number of goals by any nation in the history of the World Cup. Goetze’s timely 113’ title-clincher was the 224th goal for the country and they are now ahead by four goals of previous record-holder Brazil (220 goals).

Credit these five players who have delivered double-digit goals in their respective WC careers: Klose (16 goals); Gerd Muller (14 goals); Jurgen Klinsmann (11 goals); Thomas Muller (10 goals) and Helmut Rahn (10 goals).

3. Klose’s 16 Goals – Most by Any Individual in World Cup History

Miroslav Klose broke this record held previously by Brazilian Ronaldo in the semi-final vs. Brazil. The 36-year old striker has a total of 16 goals in four World Cup appearances (2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014).

He failed to add more to the record in the final vs. Argentina but he’s ahead of the competition considerably with Thomas Muller (Germany) with 10 goals (2010 and 2014); David Villa (Spain) with 9 goals (2006, 2010 and 2014) as the active players that has a shot at Klose’s WC record so far.

4. Germans Own Argentines in the World Cup

Germany and Argentina have met seven times in the World Cup with the Germans dominating with five victories against a lone loss and a draw.

World Cup History - GER vs. ARG

1958 World Cup in Brazil (Group Stage) - Germany def. Argentina, 3-1
1966 World Cup in England (Group Stage) - Germany vs. Argentina, 0-0
1986 World Cup in Mexico (Final) - Argentina def. Germany, 3-2
1990 World Cup in Italy (Final) - Germany def. Argentina, 1-0
2006 World Cup in Germany (Quarterfinals) - Germany def. Argentina (1-1, 4-2 PEN)
2010 World Cup in South Africa (Quarterfinals) - Germany def. Argentina, 4-0
2014 World Cup in Brazil (Final) - Germany def. Argentina, 1-0

Four consecutive times now have Germany stopped La Albiceleste on their tracks-- twice in the final and two times in the quarterfinals.

5. Germans’ American Invasion - Germany Becomes First Euro Team to Win World Cup on American Soil

No European squad has ever lifted the Cup in any tournament held in an American Continent. Germany’s 1-0 final win over Argentina changed that as the Germans stamped Euro-class over their South American counterparts.

Eight American nations hosted the World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1930. Here are the hosts and winners from each year:

Year - Host - Winner

1930 - Uruguay - Uruguay
1950 - Brazil - Uruguay
1962 - Chile - Brazil
1970 - Mexico - Brazil
1978 - Argentina - Argentina
1994 - United States - Brazil
1986 - Mexico - Argentina
2014 - Brazil – Germany

6. Europeans Recent Domination of the World Cup

With Germany’s win, three European nations have now won the World Cup three straight times—Italy won the 2006 World Cup in Germany; Spain won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa; and now Germany won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

This is the first time that a continent has won three consecutive World Cup titles. Overall, in 20 World Cup final, Europe now leads the title count, 11-to-9.

To sum up, Germany got their fourth World Cup trophy in eight finals appearances. On their way to the title, they established individual and team records for most goals scored and re-established European squads command over their South American counterparts.

At the end of the day, it was an unknown substitute in Goetze who would become the difference-maker confirming that indeed this is a beautiful game.