​Hey there, internet people! As you may know, the World Cup is just around the corner, and here at BFW we’re cooking up a series of articles about Germany in the build-up to the tournament. Teddy is already working on a list of the top 10 goals Germany has scored in World Cup history, and I suggested we relive the most memorable wins Die Mannschaft has enjoyed. So here it is: my personal top 10 Germany wins at the World Cup, presented with a twist—I’ll include matches I know well from watching live or on TV, since I haven’t yet had the chance to watch Germany play in person at the stadium. I’ll also rank each match by how special it feels to me.
Kicking off this list is the 2014 World Cup Final, a showdown against Argentina. Germany and Argentina have a storied rivalry, with West Germany defeating Argentina 1-0 in the 1990 final, and Argentina last lifting the trophy in 1986 after beating West Germany 3-2. By 2014, the expectations were immense—Germany had crushed host nation Brazil 7-1 in the semifinal, a result that stunned the football world and built a narrative of inevitability about their progress to the final. Yet even with that crushing semifinal win, there was still a sense that this final was going to demand every ounce of Germany’s resolve.
The atmosphere inside the Maracanã was electric, with more than 70,000 spectators gathered to witness the ultimate test on Germany’s road to World Cup glory. In the build-up, there was a last-minute shake-up in the squad: Sami Khedira picked up an injury in the warm-up, forcing Christoph Kramer into a surprise starting role in midfield. The match began with both teams sensing the magnitude of the moment, as they pressed for the decisive goal that would crown a nation World Cup champions after more than two decades.
In the early stages, Argentina carved out the first real chance. Gonzalo Higuaín sprinted down the left and squeezed a low shot across the German goal that Neuer had to stretch to save, narrowly steering the ball wide. Lionel Messi showcased moments of speed and skill, slicing past a German center-back only for Germany to clear as Boateng tracked back, and the diminutive maestro’s subsequent attempts failed to find a teammate in the box. It was a tight, tense opening period, with neither side able to seize control.
Around the 20-minute mark, a misjudged header from Toni Kroos set up a one-on-one with Higuaín, who fired wide, offering Germany a brief reprieve. Bastian Schweinsteiger spotted Miroslav Klose making a run behind the Argentine defense and lofted a clever pass over the top, but the finish was overhit, leaving Sergio Romero in position to collect. Higuaín would later think he’d broken the deadlock—his celebration after curling a ball into the net was premature, as the linesman’s flag would indicate offside, one of the cruel twists that make a final so unforgettable.
Soon after, Kramer was forced off after a collision with Ezequiel Garay, and André Schürrle stepped on to the pitch to take his place. Messi advanced into the German box again, beating Neuer, but Boateng recovered and cleared off the line, preserving the stalemate. Kroos curled an effort that Romero saved, and Germany’s danger moments continued as Klose’s opportunity to set Müller’s cross free was mishandled, keeping the scoreline at 0-0 as the match wore on. This was more than a game; it was the culmination of years of preparation and a nation’s hopeful dreams.
As the match progressed, the tension was palpable, the stakes enormous, and the eventual end of extra time would cement a victory that resonated beyond the football field. The final would become a defining moment for German football and a landmark in the country’s World Cup journey, a match remembered for dramatic twists, resilient defense, and a relentless pursuit of glory.