The 2014 World Cup final in pictures
It took extra time, last-minute tactical changes, a disallowed goal, and a little luck, but Germany has won the World Cup. Joachim Löw finally graduates after three tournaments in the final four.
Khedira misses the party
The German gameplan went wrong even before kickoff, when Sami Khedira told his coach he had pulled his calf in the warm-up and couldn't play. The unchanged line-up from the semifinal against Brazil had to be altered after all: Christoph Kramer stepped into Khedira's shoes - playing in a final he might never have expected.
Higuain shocks Germany, but offside
Gonzalo Higuain beat Manuel Neuer half an hour into the game - but his goal was disallowed for offside. The Napoli striker had also miscued an excellent early chance following a Toni Kroos mistake. Argentina, despite having less of the ball, carved out the better first-half chances, although Benedikt Höwedes hit the Argentine post with a header after 45 minutes.
Schweinsteiger and Höwedes go in the book
Several players from both sides threw their weight around in the game. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Benedikt Höwedes were the Germans to win themselves early yellows for fouls on Lavezzi and Zabaleta. Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli, as expected, had a busy night.
Replacement Kramer replaced
Christoph Kramer's surprise World Cup final inclusion, for Khedira, didn't last long. The Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder hurt his head in a collision in the penalty area - Kramer returned to the pitch but was clearly in pain and was subbed out in the 32nd minute. The change also forced Löw to change his formation, bringing on an extra attacking midfielder in Andre Schürrle.
Nail-biter
World Cup finals are almost always nervy affairs, with Sunday's no exception. An early second-half chance for Lionel Messi, which he stroked wide with his left rather than trusting his weaker right, excited Argentine fans. Overall, the World Cup was the second-best attended ever, behind USA 1994. Almost 3.5 million people went to the 64 matches.
A collection of cards
Germany didn't have a monopoly on the misdemeanors, as Argentina ably displayed just after the hour mark. First Javier Mascherano was upset at his yellow for a foul on Miroslav Klose, and within a minute Sergio Aguero picked up a card for chopping Bastian Schweinsteiger.
World Cup over, but the problems remain
Brazil's protests against the World Cup and government ebbed during the compeition, in part because of a heavy police presence. Yet fans made their opinions heard when President Dilma Rousseff and FIFA President Sepp Blatter prepared to hand out the trophies: to a chorus of boos in the Maracana.
Götze's goal
Mario Götze had a tricky World Cup, losing his spot in Löw's starting 11. Yet it was the Bayern Munich midfielder who ultimately scored the decisive goal, off the bench, in extra time. Another sub, Andre Schürrle, was the architect, creating the goal down the left flank. Götze chested down the cross and then volleyed home with his left, before savoring his moment.
A fourth for Germany
Runners-up in 2008, third in 2010, and out in final four in 2012: Fourth time's a charm for Joachim Löw as German coach. The national team jersey's crest can now carry a fourth star, having previously lifted the trophy in 1954, 74 and 90. Just like Brazil and Italy, the only other four-time World Cup winners, Germany had to wait 24 years for their fourth.