An eight-year journey concluded in the Maracana as Germany s transformation from efficient machine to attacking force was complete.
Famed for a defensive style, ruthless brilliance at penalties and a little good fortune in their early years, the European nation had always been the ugly sisters with Brazil leading the way as Cinderella.
Yet the foundations laid by Jurgen Klinsmann in 2006 have been expertly built upon by Joachim Low, who has finally cleansed Germany of their clichéd reputation.
In truth, that quest probably ended in the semi-final, when they annihilated the renowned guardians of attacking football at their own game, in their own backyard.
But history does not remember runners-up and, as impressive as that 7-1 drubbing of Brazil in Belo Ho…