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Watch James Rodriguez sweat out final seconds of Argentina-Germany to win Golden Boot (Video)

Watch James Rodriguez sweat out final seconds of Argentina-Germany to win Golden Boot (Video)

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Colombia’s James Rodriguez was the breakout star of the 2014 World Cup. His six goals, including the goal of the tournament, helped lead Los Cafeteros to the quarterfinals for the first time the country’s history. That production earned him the Golden Boot award as the top scorer of the competition.

Rodriguez’s hold on the award wasn’t definitive until the last whistle in the World Cup final between Germany and Argentina. Thomas Muller led the Germans with five goals and was aiming for his second consecutive Golden Boot with an offensive outburst on Sunday.

But Muller stayed off the scoresheet, letting Mario Goetze play hero, and that signified Rodriguez as Colombia’s first ever winner of the Golden Boot and the first South American since Brazil’s Ronaldo to win the award. Muller and German teammate Miroslav Klose had won the previous two.

As the seconds ticked down, Rodriguez, surrounded by family and friends, nervously watched until it became final that he had won:

Before the World Cup, Rodriguez, who turned 23 on Saturday, wasn't named on numerous oddsmakers' lists for potential Golden Boot winner. His stock rose dramatically as the tournament went on, culminating in the individual honor.

As the World Cup ended, Rodriguez had himself a pretty good weekend with the Golden Boot win, and his future could be even brighter if a rumored transfer from Lique 1’s Monaco to Real Madrid comes to fruition.