Berlin:  just days after leading his side to World Cup glory in Brazil, Germany captain Philipp Lahm has quit international soccer.

"It is the right time for me. I have totally enjoyed my time with the national team," the 30-year-old was quoted as saying on Sky Sport Deutschland's Twitter feed on Friday.

German soccer federation (DFB) website (www.dfb.de) confirmed the shock news.

DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach said: "Philipp called me this morning and personally told me the news. Very quickly into the conversation I realised that it was futile to try to change his mind.

"He was not only an outstanding player in his 10 years with the national team but always a perfect role model. I thanked him for all that he has done for the DFB."

Lahm, who played his last of 113 caps in the 1-0 victory over Argentina will continue playing for club side Bayern Munich.

"There is hardly a better farewell than to be a world champion at the peak of your career," Bayernchairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said of Lahm's resignation on the club website.

"But for the national team, it will not be easy to replace Lahm as a player, captain and a man."

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The substitute, Goetze, settled the contest that was in the balance from the first minute till the last with a finish of amazing composure given the circumstances, pressure & surroundings. His strike proved the difference, with Argentina unable to respond in what little time remaining, which added another star to the Europeans' crest following their triumphs in 1954, 1974 and 1990.

Though Germany very much contained Messi in the 1st half, the superstar caused alarm before the break when he galloped along the right touchline & to the near post before being crowded out by a combination of defence & goalkeeper. However, at the other end, composed play by Miroslav Klose set up Kroos for a shot that was simple for Romero.

There was still time in an ecstatic period for defender Benedikt Howedes to thunder a header from Kroos’ accurate corner against Argentina’s right post, with Muller ruled offside as he attempted a rebound from close range.

The pace from the outset of the extra time was relentless; Schurrle smacked straight at the keeper, Aguero looked for a colleague from the left at the conclusion of a counter-attack & saw none, while substitute Rodrigo Palacio looped the ball over Neuer but lost control after taking down a fine Marcos Rojo inswinger in space.

Then, with only 7 minutes of the 120 remaining, the decisive moment arrived. Schurrle fought past 3 Argentina defenders on the left flank, drawing Sabella’s charges out of shape & clipping over them to Gotze. The 22-year-old’s technique was exquisite, cushioning the ball on his chest and volleying at an awkward height, finding the far corner of the net to write his name into German and World Cup football history books.

via: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255959/match=300186501/match-report.html

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- Angel Di Maria (Argentina)In providing Lionel Messi with the best possible support, Di Maria has led the Albicelesteattack with distinction, posing a constant menace to opposing defences with his long-range shooting, mazy dribbling and finishing skills, which he showcased with a well-taken winner against Switzerland in the Round of 16.

- Mats Hummels (Germany)The Borussia Dortmund centre-half has attracted much praise for his solid displays at the heart of the German defence. As if that were not enough, Hummels has also impressed at the other end of the pitch, rising high to score against Portugal in the group phase and head home the winner against France in the quarter-finals.

- Toni Kroos (Germany)
Kroos ran the show as Die Mannschaft swept aside hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals, dominating the midfield and posing a constant threat with his passing and shooting, which brought him two goals – all in a day’s work for this most consistent of performers.

- Philipp Lahm (Germany)The Germany captain began the tournament in midfield before seamlessly making the switch to the right-back slot, without it undermining his performance levels or his considerable influence on Joachim Low’s side.

- Javier Mascherano (Argentina)Though their much-vaunted attack attracts most of the headlines, Argentina have also been solid in defence, a large part of the credit for which must go to Mascherano for his tireless work in providing the Albiceleste rearguard with essential protection.

- Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi added to his FIFA World Cup goal tally with some lethal finishing in each of Argentina’s three group matches in Brazil. Though yet to find the back of the net in the knockout rounds, he has remained an influential figure for his side.

- Thomas Muller (Germany)
In opening his campaign with a hat-trick against Portugal, Muller picked up where he left off at South Africa 2010, where he collected the adidas Golden Boot. His performances since have underlined his status as the spearhead of Germany’s deadly front line.

- Neymar (Brazil)
Though only 22, the livewire forward ably shouldered the huge responsibility of leading A Seleção. Neymar was his side’s stand-out performer with four goals before an unfortunate injury ended his tournament in the quarter-finals.
 
- Arjen Robben (Netherlands)The flying Dutch wide man has been in peerless form since putting defending champions Spain to the sword in his side’s opening match. His incisive runs from deep have been a feature of the tournament. 

- James Rodriguez (Colombia)Recognised as a huge talent heading into the competition, the gifted Rodriguez has since proved his ability to rise to the big occasion. His haul of six goals in five outings was a major reason why Los Cafeteros broke new ground in reaching the last eight for the first time.

The winners of the adidas Golden Ball, Silver Ball and Bronze Ball will all be announced after Sunday’s Final. 

source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=adidas-golden-ball-candidates-announced-2403393.html

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Brasilia, Brazil: Neymar became emotional when talking Thursday about the injury that ruled him out of the World Cup, saying that if the knee to his back had been slightly more to one side he "could be in a wheelchair" right now.

The Brazil striker cried as he recalled the injury, saying "God blessed" him and prevented a more serious injury. Neymar had to stop talking for several seconds, lowering his head and putting a hand in front of his eyes.

"It's difficult to talk about a move that (happened) in such an important moment of my career," he said. 

Neymar fractured his third vertebra when defender Juan Camilo Zuniga hit him from behind in a challenge late in the quarterfinal match against Colombia.

"If it had been 2 centimeters to the center...," he said, struggling to stay composed. "I could be in a wheelchair."

The 22-year-old striker complained about Zuniga's challenge, although he said the Colombian called to apologize.

"I don't know if he was trying to hurt me, but if you understand football you know that it was not a normal challenge," Neymar said. "I can't protect myself when I'm not facing the play. The only thing that can protect me from someone coming from behind are the rules. I couldn't protect myself and I ended getting hurt."

Neymar had been recovering at home but returned to the team's training camp on Thursday. He will travel with the squad to Brasilia to support them in the third-place match against the Netherlands on Saturday.

Neymar said the injury led to "the worst week of his life," one that culminated - in his absence - with Brazil's 7-1 thrashing by Germany in the semifinals. He said he didn't know how to explain what happened, and that it would be "unfair for this group" to be remembered by that result alone.

"It would have been all right to lose, but not like this. It was unbelievable, inexplicable," Neymar said. "I don't have the words to explain what happened."

He said the loss was "part of football," and that he thought Brazil had the potential to rebound and win the next World Cup.

"We can't lower our heads," he said. "It will hurt for a long time, but better days will come."

He wished luck to Germany and Argentina in Sunday's final, but said he hopes the South Americans will come out on top. He plays at Barcelona with Argentina stars Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano.

"I'm not cheering for Argentina, I'm cheering for my teammates," he said.

Neymar said that it would be good for football to have Messi winning a world title.

"He deserves to be a world champion," he said. "I'm Messi Football Club."

source:http://sports.ndtv.com/fifa-world-cup-2014/news/226743-fifa-world-cup-2014-neymar-thankful-he-s-not-in-a-wheelchair-now

Miroslav Klose found perhaps the only way to make matters worse for Brazil.

On a night when Germany thumped the host nation 7-1 in the World Cup semis, Klose became the tournament's all-time record goal scorer — beating Brazil great Ronaldo.

Klose scored Germany's 2nd goal in the 23rd minute, taking his tally to 16 career World Cup goals. It broke the mark of 15 goals he shared with the retired Ronaldo.

Klose scored after a corner by Kroos. His 1st effort was stopped by Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar, but he calmly stroked the rebound home.

The 36-year-old Lazio striker, playing in his 4th World Cup, also scored in Germany's 2-2 draw with Ghana in the group stage when he came off the bench to get Germany back into the contest.

It was merely the final act of a match that will be forever remembered by all who witnessed it, and which leaves Brazil to wallow in misery and Germany to plan a Maracana meeting with Argentina or the Netherlands.