Miroslav Klose's Final Game

Miroslave Klose has had a stellar World Cup as he’s properly broken the record for most World Cup goals ever scored, a title previously held by Ronaldo of Brazil wit fifteen goals. Despite not having opened for every single match, he opened as striker in the finals and stayed on for a whopping 88 minutes, which is no mean feat for the 36-year old plyer. It was a match in which neither team scored for 113 minutes, and it was strange irony that Klose’s replacement Mario Goetze went on to score the World Cup winning goal.

Klose sees some action in the exciting first half – he plays a crucial role in deflecting Lavezzi’s corner, and later his goal-attempt in the 27th minute is blocked by a quick Romero. His attempts to score were often thwarted by Argentine defenders who worked in unison to prevent the formidable German force. Klose did play a gentleman’s game however as he didn’t pick up a single card during the entire tournament and always had a friendly hand and a smile on-ready even for the opposition.

Klose would have made an assist to Schurrle’s almost-goal in the 37th minute had the goalkeeper not caught it straight. He has another moment of near-miss in the 44th minute when he picks up on Muller’s curling ball. Though the man already broke world records, he could have simultaneously widened his margin as well as perhaps secured the match for Germany early into the game. He played immensely well though as he played nearly all of full-time and was exceedingly active on the field. He remains just as enthusiastic and active in the second half as well, but his efforts are either met with a tackle (like Macherano’s slide-tackle in the 50th minute) or by a ready Romero.

He was fouled twice and did foul Argentina’s Biglia in the 66th minute in the German side, but nothing too severe to earn him a card. His performance in the match was exemplary of a World Cup veteran and a man who fought hard for his team and he left the pitch at the 88th minute with much applause and aplomb. His exit paved the way for Gotze, who went on to win the cup for Germany.