Goetze comes off the bench to lead Germany to soccer's promised land

Mario Goetze lived up to his billing as Germany's wunderkind by scoring the goal that ensured it became the first European team to win a World Cup title in South America.

Goetze came off the bench in the 88th minute and netted the winner in extra time (113th minute) of Sunday's final against Argentina.

Andre Schuerrle, another substitute, broke away down the left flank, outstripped tiring Argentine defenders and sent a cross into the penalty area.

Goetze deftly took the ball off his chest as he cut through the box and from 15 yards fired a left-foot volley from a sharp angle, depositing the ball just inside the far post.

"It's an unbelievable feeling; I don't know how to describe it," Goetze said. "You just shoot the ball ... you don't really know what's happening.

"And then at the end of the match, having a party with the team, the whole country ... it is a dream come true. As I said, it's an indescribable moment. We, I think, deserve this trophy."

Goetze opened the tournament in Germany's starting lineup but was relegated to the bench when coach Joachim Loew decided to use his only true striker, Miroslav Klose.

Klose started against Argentina before being replaced by Goetze.

"I told him that he can show the entire world that he is better than (Argentina star Lionel) Messi, 'You can decide the World Cup. You have all the possibilities to do that.' And that's what I told him. I had a good feeling about him," said Loew.

Goetze has always had the potential to be one of Germany's brightest stars.

"He is a wunderkind, with immense skill," Loew said.

"Goetze is the miracle boy, he is the wonder who can play in numerous positions, he is the decider who can come on and make a difference - and that is what he did today."

The 22-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder was voted man of the match - the same honor he took in Germany's 2-2 draw with Ghana in the group stage when he scored his other goal of the tournament.

He appeared in six of Germany's seven matches in the tournament, sitting out the 7-1 semifinal rout of host Brazil.

"He comes in and scores, that's what our team is all about," forward Thomas Mueller said of his teammate.

Goetze made his debut for Germany in 2010, when he was 18, making him the country's youngest international since Uwe Seeler in 1954.

When Goetze scored against Austria in September 2011, he also became Germany's youngest ever scorer at the time. He has 11 goals in 35 appearances for his country.

He began his career in Borussia Dortmund before using a clause in his contract to leave for Bayern in 2013.

Goetze won the Bundesliga title twice with Dortmund and once with Bayern, and netted four goals in qualifying for the World Cup.

Under Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, Goetze also usually comes off the bench, although he was brought to the Bundesliga powerhouse as a future star.