GERMANY 1 ARGENTINA 0
Daily Mail UK, 13 July 2014
Quote:
Germany: Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, Howedes, Kramer, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Kroos, Ozil, Klose.
Subs: Zieler, Grosskreutz, Ginter, Schurrle, Podolski, Draxler, Durm, Mertesacker, Gotze, Weidenfeller.
Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Garay, Rojo, Biglia, Mascherano, Perez, Higuain, Messi, Lavezzi.
Subs: Orion, Campagnaro, Gago, Di Maria, Rodriguez, Augusto Fernandez, Federico Fernandez, Palacio, Alvarez, Aguero, Basanta, Andujar.
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
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22:36
FULL-TIME: Germany 1-0 Argentina (AET)
Germany have won the World Cup for the fourth time
22:36
120+3min: Oh dear, what a poor way to end the final. Messi blasts a good few yards over the bar. The pressure too much...
22:34
120+2min: Messi stands over but Romero is not being allowed to come up and attack this free-kick. There will be a delay in the taking of it as Schweinsteiger, who conceded it, limps off with cramp.
22:33
120+1min: We are into two added minutes and Argentina win a free-kick 25 yards to goal on the right... Last chance saloon now.
22:32
Germany substitution
120min: Final change for Germany as Mesut Ozil departs in favour of Per Mertesacker.
Golden goal? Germany's forward Mario Gotze volleys home in extra-time
Super Mario: Germany's Mario Gotze celebrates with Thomas Muller after scoring in extra time
22:25
GOAL! GERMANY 1-0 Argentina
113min: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALL We have a breakthrough and what a stunner it is! It's super sub time for Germany as Schurrle dinks a lovely cross to the near post where Mario Gotze takes a delicate touch to control the ball before burying a volley across goal and into the back of the net. I've been waiting nearly two hours for that!
22:24
From former World Cup referee and Sportsmail's Graham Poll
'Aguero certainly lucky not to be sent off for that clash with Schweinsteiger.
Rizzoli could have taken the easy option and issued a second yellow or straight red.'
22:23
110min: Forget Mascherano, Aguero should be off! The Argentina striker take a glance at Schweinsteiger, who's had a rough couple of minutes, before clubbing him with his arm while battling for a header.
It's worthy of a straight red card, and he's been booked as it is. How the referee has missed that I do not know. The Germany midfielder even has a cut on his face and has to go off to get cleaned up.
22:21
108min: It's sliding in synchronisation as Mascherano and Biglia both take out Schweinsteiger with a tackle - and I think the former is lucky to escape another yellow card and a sending off there.
22:17
SECOND-HALF: So who wants to be a hero and prevent penalties?
22:17
We've had one goal in the last 326 minutes of World Cup finals. I really should have seen this coming...
22:14
HALF-TIME: Germany 0-0 Argentina
22:11
101min: Argentina's tiring legs are taking their toll and Sabella's side look content to only attack on the counter now.
Germany are seeing more of the ball but have looked rather toothless in attack. It's hard to imagine this is the same team that dismantled Brazil in Belo Horizonte with such ease.
22:08
98min: Now Palacio blows a huge chance to score. Rojo's falling cross catches out the German defence, but the striker's first touch is poor and it allows an on-rushing Neuer to race off his line and close the angles before the substitute lofts the ball over the keeper and wide of the target.
It's yet another big let-off for Germany who really have handed Argentina some brilliant chances tonight.
21:59
EXTRA-TIME: The additional 30 minute period is underway
Where was all this in the second half? Romero is immediately called into action as the Argentina keeper is forced to parry at his near post from a rising Schurrle effort at the very start of the half before his defence scramble clear.
21:55
So for the third World Cup running, the final has gone to extra-time. The second half lacked the chances of the first but it's not been a terrible game.
Argentina have shown their hand as they have made all their changes but Germany still have one substitute left.
21:52
FULL-TIME: Germany 0-0 Argentina (extra-time to be played)
21:50
90min: Extra time beckons as three minutes are added on. Argentina look the more likely as they continue to probe and tease the Germany defence with some excellent through balls.
Kiss good luck? A pitch invader tries to kiss Benedikt Howedes of Germany
21:49
Germany substitution
88min: Couple of crunching, but brilliant, challenges from Germany as Messi then Lucas Biglia lose out to sliding tackles on the edge of the box.
Shortly after, Klose departs for Germany's second change as Gotze replaces him. That is very much likely to be the last act in the World Cup career of the tournament's greatest goal scorer. Farewell Miroslav.
21:45
Argentina substitution
86min: Final change from Argentina as Fernando Gago comes on to replace Enzo Perez. Mario Gotze is preparing to come on for Germany.
21:43
81min: Come on Kroos, where's your shooting boots? Ozil cuts the ball back for the midfielder 20 yards out, but the Germany star can only side foot his effort wide of the post with an abysmal effort on goal.
21:38
Argentina substitution
78min: So if Argentina don't win this final, Higuain will have to live with that first half miss his whole life as he has been replaced by Rodrigo Palacio.
You feel a goal now would be a winning one as the chances dry up.
Inches away: Benedikt Howedes (centre) sees his header come off the post
21:36
From Sportsmail's Rob Draper inside the Maracana
'Tired, tetchy, a mistake is surely coming. From someone.'
From Sportsmail's Ian Ladyman inside the Maracana:
'I have been disappointed in Germany tonight on the whole. All tournament they have looked to have goals in them but not here. Whether the loss of Khedira before kick-off unbalanced them, I don’t know, but the fact is that a team at this level cannot be knocked from its stride by the loss of just one player.
'With 15 minutes left, I would imagine Germany are delighted to still be in the game. Had Argentina been a little more clinical, they could have been over the line by now.'
21:35
74min: We've not seen enough of this from Messi. The forward shows his quick feet to cut inside from the right, but despite creating a yard of space for a shot, fires wide across the target. No repeats of the Iran goal so far from Argentina's star man.
21:32
From Sportsmail's Neil Ashton inside the Maracana
'The psychologists will tell you that teams often subconsciously settle for penalties midway through the second half of normal, since there is ‘no shame’ in losing in a shoot-out. Not that that will happen here, obviously.'
Arm's length: Lionel Messi (right) of Argentina fights off Mesut Ozil of Germany
21:30
69min: Are we looking at extra time in the World Cup final for the third tournament running? Not since Brazil beat Germany 2-0 in the 2002 final have we seen the final decided inside 90 minutes, but the teams continue to cancel each other out as play gets a little scrappy with fouls on the increase.
21:27
From former World Cup referee and Sportsmail's Graham Poll
'A gift for Rizzoli as Mascherano commits a clear cautionable offence to let the referee balance things up with the first yellow card for the South Americans.
'Quickly followed by the ‘equaliser’ as Aguero makes it 2-2 in yellow cards. Rizzoli continues to impress.'
21:25
66min: The yellow cards are racking up for Argentina now as now Aguero is booked for a trip on Schweinsteiger.
21:24
64min: No complaints from Mascherano as the Argentina midfielder leaps in with a sliding challenge that gets none of the ball and all of Klose's ankles resulting in a yellow card.
To be fair I forgot Klose was on the pitch, he has done very little in this half.
21:22
From former World Cup referee and Sportsmail's Graham Poll
'Interesting incident there as Neuer clashed with Higuain. The German ‘keeper had every right to go for the ball with his fist, he nade a clean connection and his follow up was natural.
'So no case for a penalty or hand ball but how Rizzoli came up with a free kick for Germany baffles me. I’d have though t a throw in was the right choice.'
Collision course: Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Germany collides with Gonzalo Higuain of Argentina
21:20
58min: What is it with these Germany goalkeepers?! It's Harald Schumacher all over again!
Manuel Neuer races out his goal to punch the ball clear, but in doing so allows his lower body to clatter into Higuain who collapses in a heap.
Incredibly the German keeper even wins a free-kick for his actions. The good news is Higuain, unlike Patrick Battiston in 1982, still has his teeth in place and will continue.
Punch clear: Manuel Neuer races out his box to punch clear in front of Gonzalo Higuain
Caught: Neuer made contact with the Argentina striker while punching the ball
21:14
53min: This has been much better start to the half from Argentina who are trying to apply the pressure on Germany. I'm not certain on the Germany defence and they constantly look like a through ball away from conceding.
Then again, having watched Argentina shoot, Germany are maybe happy to keep letting them have chances.
21:10
From Sportsmail's Ian Ladyman inside the Maracana
'The German team are in no doubt as who is to blame for the fact that young Christoph Kramer left the field in such a confused state after half an hour.
'Ezequiel Garay’s forearm to the jaw of Kramer early on was not quite as sly as he thought and Thomas Muller – for one – has been spotted her gesturing to the Argentina central defender as if to suggest there may be some retribution pending.
'Germany, though, would be foolish to be drawn in to a kicking game here, though. That, after all, may be exactly what Argentina want.'
Surrounded: Argentina's Lionel Messi tries to control the ball past Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger as Mesut Ozil (8) and Toni Kroos look on
47min: It's Messi's moment! No! He's missed! A through ball has the high Germany line split but as Lionel Messi runs in on goal, he fires a low shot wide across goal. He really must at least hit the target and Germany are let off the hook AGAIN!
21:05
SECOND-HALF: Argentina make a change at the break
Lavezzi has departed for Argentina, no signs of injury at this time, but I can't think of any other reason as Sergio Aguero replaces him.
No goals, but plenty of action. It's a World Cup final that's only lacking the former in an even game which has seen fantastic chances for both sides.
I will be amazed if we don't see a goal in the second half if it carries on like this. It's very much game on.
20:49
HALF-TIME: Germany 0-0 Argentina
Missing out: Germany's defender Benedikt Howedes (second right) heads the ball off the post at the end of the half
20:48
45+2min: OFF THE POST! At the very end of the half, an outswinging corner is met by a bullet header from Howedes, whose nodded effort cannons off the woodwork before Muller is flagged offside fighting for the rebound. In truth, he he should be scoring that header from six yards out.
45min: There will be two added minutes as Germany apply the pressure at the end of the first period.
43min: Kroos hasn't quite got it together today. A surrounded Miroslav Klose squares the ball to him on the edge of the box, but his shot is low, weak and straight at Romero.
After that pass to Higuain earlier on, the Germany midfielder seems intent in just giving the ball to the opposition one way or another.
40min: Hearts in Germany mouths again as their suspect defence continue to struggle against Messi and Co.
The Argentine forward looks to have missed his chance as runs into a dead end on the right byline, but he somehow squeezes the ball past Manuel Neuer before Jerome Boateng hacks clear off the line.
Meanwhile Muller is falling over again, only this time it's for a stupid dive rather than from taking a free-kick. Safe to say the Argentina defence are far from impressed as they square up to the Bayern Munich star
20:39
37min: Germany have responded to this wave of Argentina pressure, by producing their best opportunity of the half.
The ball is cut-back to Shurrle on the edge of the box, whose rising drive looks to be heading for the top corner until Sergio Romero pounces at his near post to push behind.
Down and out: Christoph Kramer of Germany receives medical treatment shortly before being substituted
20:35
From Sportsmail's Neil Ashton from inside the Maracana
'Maracana pitch cutting up right in front of Alex Sabella’s technical area, in the space where Lahm and Muller are trying to operate when Germany surge forward. Looks like a real problem down in that area. Not ideal.'
20:35
34min: Another booking for Germany, who are losing the plot a bit, as Benedikt Howedes is booked for a trip on Javier Mascherano - that looked a little dangerous to me but a yellow is deemed punishment enough.
20:33
Germany substitution
32min: It's all happening in Rio! Argentina think they have scored after Higuain neatly converts Lavezzi's cross until a correct offside flag cuts short the celebrations.
Kramer looks oblivious to everything that is happening around him, and it's probably from that early knock from Garay, as he is helped off the field by physios to be replaced by Andre Schurrle.
What a last hour it's been for the late replacement for Khedira.
20:29
29min: Good to see the referee set the boundaries early on as Bastian Schweinsteiger is booked for tripping Lavezzi on the counter - the first yellow card of this game
27min: There is no doubt Argentina have had THE best chance, but it's still Germany looking more comfortable on the ball.
The good news is this game is already better than that 1990 dud, as Higuain's already had more shots on goal than his country did in that entire Italia 90 final.
20:24
From Sportsmail's Ian Ladyman inside the Maracana
'Been impressed by Argentina in the last ten minutes or so. The two central defenders are dealing with Mulller and Klose so far and Lavezzi has already switched from one side to the other to keep the German full-backs guessing. They are already showing more fluency than against Holland but I wonder if they will rue that Higuain miss.'
Off target: Argentina's forward Gonzalo Higuain (left) fires wide under pressure from Germany's Mats Hummels
Chance blown: Higuain's effort came off the back of a horrendous pass from Germany's Toni Kroos
20:24
From Sportsmail's Ian Ladyman inside the Maracana
'Been impressed by Argentina in the last ten minutes or so. The two central defenders are dealing with Mulller and Klose so far and Lavezzi has already switched from one side to the other to keep the German full-backs guessing. They are already showing more fluency than against Holland but I wonder if they will rue that Higuain miss.'
20:24
21min: WHAT A CHANCE! It's a tale of two howlers! First Toni Kroos has a moment of madness to head the ball back to his own goal, presenting Gonzalo Higuain with a one-on-one chance.
But as the Argentina striker reaches the edge of the box, the pressure of the occasion seems to get to him and he fires wide of the goal.
It's a massive chance and Kroos is the luckiest man on the pitch right now following that awful header.
20:20
From Sportsmail's Neil Ashton inside the Maracana
'Mats Hummels has had an outstanding tournament for Germany at the centre of Joachim Low’s defence. Making the art of central defending look easy at this World Cup.'
Down but not out: Christoph Kramer lies on the pitch after a collision during the final
20:19
17min: Welcome to the World Cup, Kramer. In his first competitive start, the late replacement for the injured Smai Khedira needs treatment inside the Argentina box after Ezequiel Garay charges into his jaw with his shoulder. He should be fine to continue.
From Sportsmail's Ian Ladyman inside the Maracana
'Every time Argentina get the ball – which hasn’t been many times so far – the Maracana comes alive with whistles and jeers. Germany, meanwhile, are greeted with ‘Ole’ every time they pass the ball. Suffice to say, the Brazlians in the audience are making a point.'
From Sportsmail's Neil Ashton inside the Maracana:
'Germany have been unsettled in the opening stages by the challenges and screening duties of Mascherano in the centre and Zabaleta’s robust defending on the right.'
20:13
11min: Germany seemed to be quicker out the blocks but Argentina are coming back into this.
Attacking the right was the tactic in the win over Holland, and it's the preferred route early on here as they win a corner.
Ezequiel Lavezzi's corner is cleared by Mesut Ozil, but the Argentine forward gets the ball back and his second near post delivery is cut out by Manuel Neuer.
20:09
8min: The first wave of the wand from magical Messi. The Barcelona forward shows some neat skill to scamper past Mats Hummels on the right, but after reaching the byline his cut-back is cut out a the near post
20:06
5min: A chance comes from the free-kick... for Argentina! Germany's set-piece routine is somehow worse than the one where Thomas Muller fell over against Algeria in the last 16, as a delayed shot into the wall led to a counter attack.
The ball falls for Gonzalo Higuain inside the box, but from an acute angle he drills wide across the target.
Break away: Germany's forward Miroslav Klose (centre) attempts to get past Argentina's Javier Mascherano
20:01
KICK-OFF: Germany get the World Cup Final Underway
What they are playing for: Former Spain captain Carles Puyol and model Gisele Bundchen present the World Cup trophy pitchside
19:54
From Sportsmail's Neil Ashton in the Maracana
'The Maracana is absolutely rocking as the two teams come out. Pretty special.'
No Sami: Lena Gercke, the girlfriend of Germany's Sami Khedira, waits for the start of the World Cup final inside the Maracana
19:53
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Sami Khedira is ruled out for Germany
Christoph Kramer will replace the midfielder who is reportedly suffering with a calf strain.