The final of 2014 Football World Cup could be best described as a war of giants, where artistic Argentina spearheaded by the brilliant Messi were ultimately put down through the solitary goal scored in the extra-time.

The Germans showcased skill and strategy whereas Argentina moved beyond personality cult and created breath-taking moments through Gonzalo Higuain, Lavezzi and Messi, but the ultimate stoke of brilliance came from 54 years old German coach Joachim Loew, who had a much briefer career as an international football player than Argentinean Alejandro Sabella.

Loew made his third and vital substitution by bringing in the fresh legs of Mario Goetze at the crucial time, replacing seasoned Miroslav Klose. This decision ended the 24-year draught for the German fans.

The crowd went berserk at Maracana when Goetze took control of Schuerlle’s cross and gave no chance to Sergio Romero to take the game to penalty kicks.

Those who followed the game with critical eyes would agree that Argentina played superbly but the Germans proved that their superior physical fitness and coordination made the difference at the end.

To my mind it was neither Germany nor Argentina but football that won its status as the most popular sport of the world, watched by over 3.2 billion people and the most discussed sporting event in the history of Facebook that generated almost 618,725 tweets per minute.

It would be very unfair to forget the Japanese team’s performance in the heat of grueling final between Germany and Argentina.

Though Japan lost to Greece and couldn’t make much headway in the World Cup, they won the hearts all over the world with their incredible gesture to clean the stadium, arena Pernambuco, from litter as the rest of crowd filed out.

The Football World Cup that according to FIFA chief Sepp Blatter scored 9.25 marks out of 10 was at its best from the very start of semi-finals. The Sao Paulo disaster of Brazil was the biggest news of the World Cup. The 7-1 victory by Germany over Brazil not only compelled Scolari to resign but also left Brazilians thinking about their future football philosophy. Questions arose about the importance of defence.

Besides, should Brazil re-focus on grassroots or keep exporting star players to international leagues for extended periods.

Many parallels can be drawn between Brazil football and Pakistan hockey, which adores attacking style of play and think defence as something passive.

All team sports, including football and field hockey, are now no more about skills alone. Physical fitness, superior tactical play and strategic brilliance of coaches have belied the age old cliché "offense is the best defense".

The same is true for coaching which is a science reserved for the educated and the visionaries. Loew, Sabella and the most successful Australian cricket coach John Buchanan were not outstanding international players.

It is very unfortunate that Pakistan produced the "Brazuca" balls in Sialkot but we have failed to produce proper sports culture in cricket-mad South Asia. Our frustration can be well judged from the fact that we are dreaming of emerging as a football powerhouse by just investing in Lyari.

What German captain Lahm said after lifting the World Cup reveals the secret to success. He said that "the team has done superbly, not only the players, but also the team behind the team".

Those who manage football and other sports in Pakistan have a lot to think and learn from this World Cup. We are now light years behind the developed nations where sport is an industry. In such a situation following the examples of Germany, Brazil or Argentina will be no less than ghost chase.

The Pakistani football authorities surviving as parasites on meager financial resources coming from government or FIFA should critically examine the rise of Chile, Colombia and Algeria as football power houses.

They should not just dream of becoming champions but actually take measures to develop football at the grassroots.

This development will remain elusive unless football is developed at educational institutions and community-based sports clubs.

The World Cup baton has been passed over to Russia. President Putin was personally present to promise the success of 2018 World Cup, which will be held in thirteen different cities of Russia.

I am sure that we will produce another "Brazuca" in Sialkot for 2018. After four years you will again experience another grueling bazooka cup with new international football teams and their heroes, while our sports authorities will continue churning age-old excuses of shortage of funds and lack of play grounds, which in fact is lack of knowledge, commitment and vision.