I would definitely not call it meaningless, at all. This was also one of the most exciting soccer (football) matches I've seen. Well, at least until the very end, which was ruined by stupid rules.
Not to sound like a bitter American, in the end the team that wanted it more won it. But to end not only a match, but an entire World Cup on penalty kicks is just a downright stupid rule. It's the stupidest rule I can think of in any sport.
Imagine the baseball World Series. 7th game, tied 2-2 after nine innings. They play one more inning and it's still a tie. So they decide to determine the winner with a home run hitting contest.
Wait, it's the Superbowl. After a grueling four quarters, they play one OT, and the game is still tied. Instead of continuing to play, or playing with some sort of rule alteration. They decide to have the outcome determined by a punt, pass and kick competition.
7th game, NBA finals. After OT the game is tied 110-110. Instead of continuing to play, they have a free throw shooting contest to determine who wins.
The NHL used to have way too many shootouts. Now they limit them as fans hated them. They still do. So
rules were implemented limiting players on the ice, and substitutions to speed up the game in OT. Sometimes down to 3 on 3. In the playoffs, there is no shootout. They play until someone wins.