LIVE WC FINAL: ARG v GER

Next World Cup stop - Russia 2018!

Congratulations to the new world champions of football - Germany - and condolences to the Argentines. Both teams fought hard with doubtless resolve. But the Latin Americans' dream was crushed in one magical Mario Götze moment and the Europeans swept up in euphoria.

It is now time for the winners to lift the World Cup trophy. The German captain Phillip Lahm is handed the trophy and he goes back to the rest of his team before lifting the trophy into the air of the Maracanã and the celebration begins.

Argentina walk up to collect their runners' up medals. They're crushed, obviously, but they played so, so well after a tiring game against the Dutch in the semi-final. They really took it to the Germans and could have broken the game open with a goal of their own on several occasions.

Neuer wins the Golden Glove for best keeper and Messi wins the Golden Ball for best player. Messi's posture never exactly exudes ego, but right now he looks like he desperately wants to get off the field.

Germany fill hole in their soul to win the World Cup for the fourth time, equaling Italy. They also become the first European team to win the title in South America. The triumph is Die Mannschaft's first after unification.

End of Extra-time

GERMANY ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL!!! THE MARACANÃ IS JUBILANT WITH GERMAN COLOURS!!

120+4'   THE REFEREE HAS BLOWN THE FINAL WHISTLE!!!

120+3'   The moment was set up for the great man, but he blazes it a long way over the bar. It hasn't been his night tonight, and that is a big reason why Germany are going to win this match.

120+1'   Two minutes to go. Messi break toward the German box and gets fouled. Free kick to Argentina . Messi has to take this.

119'        Germany has a a chance to seal the game but this time Schurrle's cross for Gotze is feet off the mark, not inch perfect.

119'        Argentina bring Romero up to take a free kick just inside their own half. It comes to nothing as Neuer collects a meek cross.

117'        Rojo chases a long ball, nearly taking it but the ball falls back to Biglia, who could go for goal but instead looks for Messi, only to woefully over-hit the pass.

114'        Argentina have minutes to pull things back while Germany are minutes away from becoming the first ever European team to win the World Cup on American soil.

113'        GOOOAAALLL!!! MARIO GÖTZE SCORES!! GERMANY LEAD 1-0 IN EXTRA TIME!!

Finally, we have the breakthrough! It is the sub Mario Gotze who gets what could prove to be the winning goal in the World Cup final, and what a well-taken goal it is as well. Schurrle does brilliantly down the left to beat a man and swing a cross into the middle which Gotze takes down on his chest before volleying it past the keeper and into the corner. Superb goal!

108'        More good interchange from Germany down the right -- they've been dangerous down that flank all tournament -- but it's well defended by Argentina. They clear but concede a free kick 45-yards out trying to win the second ball.

106'        Second period of extra-time is underway. This is the third of their four knockout games to go to extra time.

First period of Extra-time

105'        FIRST HALF OF EXTRA TIME OVER. No additional time. Another 15 minutes to go.

103'        Schweinsteiger just went down with a cramp. He looks completely exhausted. Looks like Schweinsteiger will be alright to continue here - at least for the moment.

Germany's Mario Goetze celebrates his goal against Argentina with teammates (L-R) Andre Schuerrle, Thomas Mueller and Benedikt Hoewedes during extra time in their World Cup final. Reuters

101

'        The German backline looks a bit too high and not quite comfortable chasing Argentina's forwards if they get a chance to run behind them.

Out of possession, Germany are keeping the ball well inside the Argentina half.

98'          WHAT A CHANCE! Palacios takes a gamble as a cross comes in a drops off the back of the last German defender, who whiff the header. Palacio chests down the ball and has only Neuer to beat from 12 yards. He chips it high and wide. Oh my. What a chance!

97'          Romero takes his time with a goal kick and lumps it to Aguero. Gago collects the loose ball and tries to get a cross in but it's cut out.

95'          Germany now keeping patient possession in the Argentina half.

93'          GERMANY DEFENCE BREACHED! Biglia gets free with room to run on the left and plays Aguero through on goal. Messi is sprinting to get in place for a pullback but Aguero shoots wide from a really tight angle.

92'          OH! SHOT PARRiED! Schurrle gets a good look at goal cutting in from the left side of the box but slams it straight at Romero, who parries it away. Perfect start for Germany in the extra-time.

91'          Germany get us back underway as the World Cup final goes into extra time for the seventh time.

Full Time

Another final goes to extra-time. Thirty more minutes to be played in the final. The match has been action-packed so far but still misses a goal. It is still very finely poised and tough to call which way this will go.

Argentina, despite getting the better chances, are yet to have a shot on goal, while the Germans have three.

Messi had a wonderful chance of his own in that second half, and it is one that he would have expected to finish. It would have been the stuff of dreams for the skipper to have scored the goal that allows him to emulate Maradona and lift the trophy himself, but it wasn't to be on that occasion.

Germany's Mario Goetze (2nd R) scores a goal past Argentina's Martin Demichelis (L), Ezequiel Garay (2nd L) and goalkeeper Sergio Romero during extra time in their World Cup final. Reuters

90+4

'     The referees blows the whistle for full-time! The game moves on to extra-time for the third consecutive World Cup final.

90+1'     Three minutes added on before we move on to the extra-time.

88'          Argentina have another good move at the German defense, again led by Messi. The ball falls to Biglia 25 yards out. As he wins up to take a shot, Schweinsteiger came in around him and poked away the ball with a great tackle.

85'          Argentina make third and final substitution. Perez off, Gago on.

82'          ANOTHER CHANCE FOR GERMANY! But once again it is a waste. Lahm links up with Ozil down the right this time, and the Arsenal midfielder looks up and picks up Kroos unmarked on the edge of the box. He has time to pick his spot, but can only pass an effort well wide of the mark. He really should have done better there.

80'          BIG CHANCE FOR GERMANY! Muller slides the ball into the middle for Howedes, who is the only man in the box for Loew's side. Germany would have preferred anyone else there as Howedes couldn't sort out his feet in time before the Argentinians swarmed around him.

77'          Messi dinks and dribbles and tries to find space through three German defenders. He pokes the ball past them but can't get to it before Neuer does. He's furious and wants a foul for impeding his run.

Germany march down and win a corner, which is headed away.

Germany's Mario Goetze (L) shoots to score against Argentina's Sergio Romero during extra time in their World Cup final. Reuters

76

'          Argentina substitution. Second change of the night for Argentina as Palacio comes on to replace Higuain

76'          Official attendance at the Maracanã today: 74,738

75'          MESSI SHOOTS! But it's way wide. Messi just cut from the right side of the Germany box all the way to the center. His shot was wide, but as he evaded defenders,

71'          A loose touch from Schurrle squanders a great chance. He was almost in on goal but the ball skipped ahead of him and into Romero's arms. The teams look equally dangerous.

70'          The sun has set in Rio de Janeiro now. The floodlights have come on in the Maracanã.

69'          Bilgia has been excellent so far in this half and the Argentinians have had far more possession than they did in the first half.

67'          Messi tries to weave through the midfield. He plays it forward and wins a free kick, which is easily dealt with by Neuer.

66'          Play getting very physical. Both teams searching for a breakthrough.

Germany's Mario Goetze (L) celebrates near teammate Thomas Mueller after scoring a goal during extra time in their World Cup final against Argentina. Reuters

65

'          Second Argentina booking in quick succession! This time Aguero goes into the referee's book for a flying tackle on Scheinsteiger.

64'          Argentina booking. Javier Mascherano is booked for a foul on Klose in midfield.

58'          Replays show Neuer got a knee below Higuain's right chin on the jump. The blow looks painful but the keeper was making a legitimate effort for the ball inside the box, which forced the referee to blow the whistle in Neuer's favor.

57'          Higuain and Neuer go for the ball on the left edge of the area and the striker gets absolutely leveled. Argetinian fans are furious as a foul is called against their man.

54'          Now Germany cut down the left and Muller wins a corner. Kroos will take. Kroos hits it deep the the opposite edge of the six-yard box and it's headed clear. No matter though, the referee blew his whistle for German pulling.

51'          Argentina already look so ominous. Much more so than in the first half, but they still need to convert these chances.

Germany's Mario Goetze (L) shoots to score against Argentina's Sergio Romero during extra time in their World Cup final. Reuters

47

'          OH!! ARGENTINA ALMOST LEAD AGAIN! Messi is inches from scoring and it rolls out for a goal kick. That's the third dangerous move from Argentina already. The first involved Higuain and Arguero on the the right, and the other Messi feeding Arguero a through ball that was just barely underhit.

46'          Argentina get the second half underway. Argentina substitution: Lavezzi off, Aguero on.

Half Time

The Maracanã remains goalless after the first half's play of the final. Things are very much in the balance. While Germany enjoyed more possession, Argentina have looked extremely threatening on the breaks.

The Latin Americans had the more obvious chances including a disallowed goal. Germany had their share of bad lucks when they hit the post in injury time.

45+3'     The referee blows the whistle for half time.

45+2'     OFF THE POST! DRAMATIC END TO THE HALF! A Germany corner swings into the middle and meets a high Howedes header. It comes back off the post to Mueller, who is offside!

45+1'     Two minutes added on to the half's play.

43'          Mashcherano loses the ball and the Germans pour in. Klose leads the attack keeping the ball and then feeds it to Kroos. He takes a weak shot and its easy for Romero to collect.

42'          Excellent position from Zabaleta. Muller gets some space and crosses in from the left and the ball looks destined for open space and a white shirt on the far post, but the ARG defenders heads it away.

40'          MESSI! The prolific forward sprints past Hummels  and into the German box before squeezing the ball past the Germany keeper. But he can't shove the ball into the net because of the tight angle he ran into. Defenders come in to take care of the attack.

Argentina's Rodrigo Palacio (R) shoots but fails to score a goal past Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during extra time in their World Cup final. Reuters

36

'          GOOD SAVE BY ROMERO! Argentina break really dangeously and Messi, driving at the German centerbacks, wins a corner. The corner is snatched Neuer who sets Muller racing down the left. He cuts it back to the penalty spots and Romero makes a greta save. The Germans try to follow up on the rebound but are called for offside.

34'          Another Germany booking! Yellow card to Howedes for a foul on Lavezzi at the halfway line.

32'          Germany substitution. Heartbreak for Kramer as he is off with that injury he picked up earlier. Schurrle comes on for him.

30'          DISALLOWED GOAL! Higuain tears away thinking that he has atoned for his earlier miss, but the linesman's flag is up to deny the striker!
Messi knocks the ball out to Lavezzi, who in turn curls a superb delivery in to Higuain. The finish is a good one this time from Higuain, but the linesman correctly raises his flag.

28'          Germany booking. The referee reaches to his pocket for the first time in the final. Bastian Schweinsteiger is shown a yellow card for a trip on Lavezzi.

Argentina's Rodrigo Palacio (C) misses a chance to score during extra time in their World Cup final against Germany. Reuters

27'    

      Stubborn Argentina defence is making things harder for Germany as they find no way through.

23'          The replays of that miss keep on coming, and it doesn't get any better. That was a gift for Higuain and you simply have to take them at this level and against this Germany side. How big could that miss prove to be?

21'          DEAR OH DEAR! HOW DID HIGUAIN MISS!! It was a complete loss of concentration from the Germans as Toni Kroos headed back to Higauin, who was deep into the Germany half devoid of any defenders. Higuain takes it down and dashes into the Germany box with two defenders closing in. But the smashes a low shot wide on the left. Unbelievable miss!

20'          Germany are in control of this match at the moment, with Argentina, despite some dangerous looking breakaways, intent on doing a containing job rather than really pushing for a goal of their own in the opening stages.

18'          Oh! Khedira's late replacement Kramer is down after taking a shoulder to the chin. It's his first ever competitive start for Germany. The blow is a painful one, but he should be able to continue.

Argentina's Sergio Aguero jumps for the ball with Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger during their World Cup final. Reuters

11

'          Another dangerous move from ARG. This time Zabaleta gets to the byline and his ball to the penalty spot rolls evades everyone. They win a corner.

10'          Messi makes a brilliant run on the right, fighting with Hummels on the way. The mesmerizing Argentine racen on to the byeline and cuts it back inside the box but no one there.

4'             Germany ride back to the other end with Mueller, Lahm, Ozil all involved in the build up. Ozil sends it to the centre but Demichelis deals with it but Germany remains on the ball.

4'             Mueller's free kick is straight into the Argentina wall that deflects back for Higuain. He is released on the right near the byeline and he pinches in a low ball in that flashes across the face of Neuer's goal! GREAT ARGENTINA COUNTER!

2'             Germany bright at the start. A mildly dangerous move at the edge of Argentina's box is cut out but Germany come right back down and win a free kick dead center from about 30 yards out.

1'             kick-off the grand finale of the 2014 Fifa World Cup at the Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro.

An exterior shot of the Estádio Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro. Courtesy: Wikipedia

Follow play-by-play updates of the World Cup final match between two-time winners Argentina and three-time winners Germany at the Estádio Maracanã.

Team News

Germany and Argentina named unchanged starting line-ups for the World Cup final at the Maracana stadium on Sunday.

Germany's team poses for pictures before their 2014 World Cup final against Argentina. Reuters

Germany:

Germany coach Joachim Loew kept faith with the team that hammered Brazil 7-1 on Tuesday, with 36-year-old Miroslav Klose, who set at a World Cup record by scoring his 16th goal in the semi-final, leading the attack.

The side is also the one which started the quarter-final against France, when Philipp Lahm was switched to right back from midfield.

Lineup: 1-Manuel Neuer; 16-Philipp Lahm, 20-Jerome Boateng, 5-Mats Hummels, 4-Benedikt Hoewedes; 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 6-Sami Khedira, 13-Thomas Mueller, 18-Toni Kroos, 8-Mesut Ozil; 11-Miroslav Klose

Substitutes: 2-Kevin Grosskreutz, 3-Matthias Ginter, 9-Andre Schuerrle, 10-Lukas Podolski, 12-Ron-Robert Zieler, 14-Julian Draxler, 15-Erik Durm, 17-Per Mertesacker, 19-Mario Goetze, 21-Shkodran Mustafi, 22-Roman Weidenfeller, 23-Chrisoph Kramer

Argentina's team poses for pictures before their 2014 World Cup final against Germany. Reuters

Argentina:

Forward Sergio Aguero was left out of the Argentina team with coach Alejandro Sabella preferring Gonzalo Higuain as a lone striker.

Martin Demichelis will again partner Ezequiel Garay in the centre of defence with Lucas Biglia playing alongside Javier Mascherano in front of the back four.

Lineup: 1-Sergio Romero; 4-Pablo Zabaleta, 15-Martin Demichelis, 2-Ezequiel Garay, 16-Marcos Rojo; 14-Javier Mascherano, 6-Lucas Biglia, 8-Enzo Perez, 10-Lionel Messi; 22-Ezequiel Lavezzi, 9-Gonzalo Higuain

Substitutes: 3–Hugo Campagnaro, 5–Fernando Gago, 7–Angel Di Maria, 11–Maxi Rodriguez, 12–Agustin Orion, 13–Augusto Fernandez, 17–Frederico Fernandez, 18–Rodrigo Palacio, 19–Ricky Alvarez, 20–Sergio Aguero, 21–Mariano Andujar, 23–Jose Basanta

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)