Tick tock, Tick tock...

The Grand Prize is Unveiled

Time seemed to whirl

Only seven minutes remained on the clock. The twelve men, eleven on each side drawn from Argentina and Germany toiled towards glory. Christ the Redeemer; the iconic statue in Rio de Janeiro stood amicably as it has done over many years. Almost as if watching with a knowing smile on the proceedings down below. The game had begun while the sun shone. But now darkness had enveloped the Brazilian skyline while a set of over a billion eyes the world over waited in anticipation for the end of the 32 long day bonanza. The world cup was about to end.

Copacabana Beach staging the Match

Seven minutes remained on the clock. And Facebook was getting updates numbering millions, tweets too were aplenty while short prayers to diverse deities were being made. There were heartbeats racing. Hyperventilation was a global phenomenon and even the most hardened of souls trembled a bit. As no one knew of the outcome. Cities stood still and TV commentators rose to the occasion with frenzied passion.

Argentine fans in Anticipation

Seven minutes remained on the clock. Drama was now ensuring. The lunges and sinister tackles from both the South Americans and the Europeans were now at full throttle. Messi made his tricky runs. Neuer smothered out smoldering shots on goal. Mascherano defended for his life and country while Schweinsteiger acquired a bloodied face. Aguero recalled encouraging words he had gotten earlier that morning from Maradona, his father in law while Ozil prodded towards goal like an Indian flute that charms a cobra out of its dwelling pot.

Ecstatic German fans in Berlin

Seven minutes remained on the clock. The tension in the stadium was now palpable. The over 70,000 fans in the Maracana stadium were going through extreme emotions, even those higher than the annual diurnal temperatures of the Atacama Desert. Those on Copacabana beach forgot of the beauty that Rio offered. Their eyes transfixed on the giant screens, as if held by the charm of a master wizard. The waves breaking ashore from the Atlantic Ocean were now an unwelcome distraction. More beer was poured for the streetside pubs of Berlin to the shanty clubs of Buornes Aires. Bets were placed from the high-rise financial offices of Guangzhou to the neighbourhoods of Nairobi’s eastlands. Cursing words and religious words were on a tremendous rise in usage.

Then Götze happened

Seven minutes remained on the clock. And history was made. For the first time ever in a World Cup Final, two substitutes combined to score the winning goal. That goal here was a solo goal. That goal here equalled the record set at France ’98 when 171 was the final tally of the number of goals scored in the tournament. That goal won Germany the World Cup, 2014 edition. That goal broke the hearts of hundreds of millions. That goal brought indescribable joy to a different set of hundreds of millions. That goal made Mario Gotze the most talked about person the whole world over. That goal was a goal to never be forgotten.

Seven minutes remained and Germany was on its way to a fourth time World Cup triumph. And it did.  "G" is the 7th letter of alphabet, and Germany starts with "G" -The name Germany contains 7 letters -Germany was in Group "G" or Group "7" -Germany ended group stage with 7pts -Germany scored 7 goals in group stages-4 vs Portugal, 2 vs Ghana and 1 vs U.S.A -Germany scored 7 goals vs Brazil -And obviously, we are in 7th month of year and winning goal was scored 7 minutes to end of extra time...what a world cup! 

The Best team in the Tournament Won