Messi had the chance to write his name in World Cup history like Maradona... but he messed up

For the past days and nights, they had waited in this great city in the rain. Swathed in pale blue and white, they had waited for their little genius to take the next natural step forward, waited for him to bring the greatest trophy home across the border.
Lionel Messi was ready, after all. He had achieved everything else over these past years. And, during a compelling month in enemy territory, he had brought Argentina to this final almost on his own.
But not all stories end the way they might and last night Argentina's captain could not put his signature to the final chapter.
He had the opportunity, too. That is what will haunt him.

Coat of paint: Lionel Messi shoots narrowly wide to miss opening the scoring for Argentina in the Maracana

Dream is over: Lionel Messi looks to the ground after Germany win the World Cup at the Maracana

The one tat got away: Lionel Messi walks past the World Cup trophy as he shakes hands with Sepp Blatter

Messi played well enough for 90 minutes as Argentina subdued what most thought would be superior opposition, but when the defining chance came early in the second half he couldn’t take it.  
It was a proper opportunity too, the type he consumes without blinking for Barcelona.
Played in down the inside left channel by Lucas Biglia, Messi suddenly had green space ahead of him.
When he is operating at his instinctive best, these chances fly past goalkeepers so fast they hardly hear them, never mind see them. Top corner, near post, is usually a decent bet.
Here, though, Messi dragged his shot across the goal and wide. The replays made it look better than it was. It lacked conviction and it was never going in.
A goal then and a strangely introverted German side may not have recovered. As it was, the Europeans hauled themselves to extra-time and, once they were there, the reserves of energy afforded them by a semi-final stroll against Brazil became apparent.
Messi’s own father had actually expressed doubts about his son’s ability to maintain a persistent threat deep in to this tournament. According to Messi Snr, his boy had been feeling heavy-legged.