World Cup Final

Germany became the first European team to win the World Cup on South American soil after Mario Gotze's excellent extra time winner meant that they won football's ultimate prize for the first time in 24 years in Rio tonight.

Germany, who were dealt a blow shortly before kick off when they lost Sami Khedira through injury, had most of the play in the opening quarter hour but Argentina threatened on the counter attack on a couple of occasions.

The South American side managed to create the first chance in the 4^th minute. After a German free kick came back off the wall Lavezzi broke on the counter attack. He got away from Mats Hummels, who struggled all night, and his cross was diverted into the path of Gonzalo Higuain by Jerome Boateng. The Napoli striker shot across the face of goal from a narrow angle but couldn't find the target.

Higuain had an even better chance to put his team in front in the 21^st minute. His opportunity came from a German mistake. Toni Kroos headed back towards his own goal from deep inside his own half. However Higuain got in behind the German defence and was through on goal. He only had Manuel Neuer to beat, decided to take the strike on early but it was a poor effort which was wide of the post.

The Germans had their first shot in anger in the 37^th minute. Andre Schurrle who came on for the injured Kramer played a one two with Thomas Meuller after he got away from Pablo Zabaleta. After Schurrle received the ball back from his team mate the Chelsea player shot from the edge of the area but Sergio Romero read it well and parried it to safety.

Argentina had another chance a couple of minutes later. Garay played a long ball in behind the German defence. Lionel Messi got away from Mats Hummels but Neuer came out to narrow the angle and take the sting out of Messi's shot before Boateng cleared.

Shortly before the break Germany had their best chance of the half. Kroos took a corner from the right which picked out left back Benedikt Howedes six yards out. Howedes headed powerfully towards goal but his effort came back off the post and was then gathered by Sergio Romero.

Argentina and Lionel Messi had an excellent opportunity at the start of the second half. Lucas Biglia strode forward unchallenged from midfield. He played it to his captain who was unmarked. Once again an Argentine forward found himself one on one with Neuer although it was a slightly narrow angle. Messi shot across goal with his left foot but the ball just shaved the post.

Miroslav Klose had a half chance on the hour mark. German captain Philip Lahm got the better of Biglia on the right hand side. His cross picked out the World Cup's record goalscorer about eight yards out. Klose rose to get his header away but there wasn't enough power behind it to trouble Romero.

An excellent move by Germany nearly led to the first goal nine minutes from the end of normal time. Lahm's precise pass picked out Ozeil who got the better of Rogo down the left. The Arsenal man set up Toni Kroos, who arrived from midfield with a lovely pass. Kroos struck first time on his right foot but like most of the the efforts on goal up to this stage it was off target and wide.

Germany had another opportunity at the beginning of extra time. Both substitutes combined. Mario Gotze who came on in the 88^th minute got the better of Garay and played it back to Andre Schurrle eight yards out. Schurrle struck it first time on the half volley. It was on target but Sergio Ramero showed excellent reflexes to punch the shot away to safety.

Then in the 7^th minute another substitute had an excellent chance to put his side in front. This time Marcos Rogo's excellent cross field pass picked out Rodrigo Palacio who got in behind Hummels. Palacio controlled it on his chest but Manuel Neuer came off his line very quickly. This seemed to unsettle the Inter Milan striker who could only toe poke it over the bar.

Germany's two substitutes combined again seven minutes from time but this time the result was more significant. Andre Schurrle made an excellent run down the left hand side and despite the close attention of Javier Mascherano, he managed to cross left footed. Gotze who got away from Martin Demichelis and controlled it on the chest before finishing brilliantly on the volley with his left foot to finally beat Romero.

Messi had a couple of late efforts on goal. However his header and then his free kick in the last minute didn't come close to threatening Neuer's goal. Nicola Rizzoli blew the final whistle of the 2014 World Cup shortly afterwards. German captain Philip Lahm, who was outstanding for his side after he went to right back raised the trophy triumphantly.

Germany; Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm (c), Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Benedikt Howedes; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Christoph Kramer (Andre Schurrle 32); Thomas Meuller, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozeil (Per Mertesacker 120); Miroslav Klose (Mario Gotze 88).

Booked; Bastian Schweinsteiger (29), Benedikt Howedes (33).

Argentina; Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Ezequiel Garay, Martin Demichelis, Marcos Rogo; Enzo Perez (Fernando Gago 86), Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia, Ezequiel Lavezzi (Sergio Aguero 46); Lionel Messi (c); Gonzalo Higuain (Rodrigo Palacio 78).

Booked; Javier Mascherano (64), Sergio Aguero (65).

Referee; Nicola Rizzoli (Italy).

© Seamus Egan 2014