Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue has been lit various colours during the World Cup to represent the teams who've been involved in what has been an enthralling tournament. Now we're down to the final two: Germany and Argentina. Wonder what colour Christ will be lit tonight?
This certainly isn't the final the Brazilian public wanted to see on their own soil, but it's a tasty prospect for the rest of us, nonetheless. Heaven knows what this chap paid for this ticket. Safe to say it wasn't cheap
Esto ciertamente no es el final, el público brasileño quería ver en su propio suelo, pero es una posibilidad sabroso para el resto de nosotros, sin embargo. Dios sabe lo que pagó este capítulo para esta entrada. Es seguro decir que no era barato
The celebrities in the crowd are ten-a-penny. Kaka, Pele and David Beckham are causing much commotion by swanning about together
The pre-match antics feature Colombian pop star Shakira on stage
Former Spain captain Carles Puyol walks out onto the pitch with supermodel Gisele Bundchen. Inside that Louis Vuitton box is the World Cup trophy. Any need for the box? Didn't think so
During the German warm up, Sami Khedira has somehow managed to injure himself and is ruled out of the starting eleven
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi's shirt hangs in the Argentina dressing room. Unluckily for Germany, he's in fine fettle
Photographers are herded into position ready for the teams to arrive onto the pitch
The two teams shake hands before kick-off
The trophy overlooks the field of play as the game gets underway
Thomas Mueller of Germany looks to go past Ezequiel Garay of Argentina in the penalty box. It's been a high tempo opening thus far
Martin Demichelis of Argentina challenges Bastian Schweinsteiger
Germany's young midfielder Christoph Kramer, who is replacing Khedira, lies injured after a collision with Garay's shoulder. He tries manfully to recover but is eventually withdrawn looking rather groggy
In the 20th minute, Gonzalo Higuain misses a plum chance for Argentina. He's played clean through by a terrible attempt at a header back to the keeper from Toni Kroos. However, Higuain shanks his effort horribly wide
Higuain atones for his earlier miss by slamming home from six yards in the 30th minute following Lavezzi's sumptuous cross ... but the linesman rightly rules him offside
Lionel Messi finds himself surrounded as he tries to slide the ball into the German penalty box
On another occasion, Messi finds his way past his markers and causes havoc in the box. Germany escape without conceding
These Argentina fans are growing a tad frustrated
Just before the break, Germany's Benedikt Hoewedes crashes a header against the post ... that's the closest they've come in the first half, and arguably he should have scored. Half-time: 0-0
Early in the second half, Messi is played through on goal for what is, by his standards, a glorious chance. He just has to beat the keeper, but he rolls his left-footed shot wide of the far post
Javier Mascherano looks livid with Thomas Mueller during an altercation as the contest continues at full pelt
Higuain gets absolutely clattered by Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Neuer got the ball first, but his knee gave Higuain an almighty thwack. Oddly, the Argentinian is booked for the foul
Higuain has run his race and is replaced by Rodrigo Palacio. Then Miroslav Klose comes off for Germany, bringing to an end his illustrious World Cup career
At the end of 90 minutes it's still 0-0. Extra-time is on the way. Messi looks puffed
Argentina's Rodrigo Palacio wastes another good chance in extra-time when he lifts the ball over Neuer but wide of the far post. Are Argentina going to regret their profligacy in the end?
Midway through the second half of extra-time, Germany's Mario Goetze chests down the ball in the box and lashes a shot at goal ...
... which beats the keeper and crashes into the back of the net!
Absolutely delirium for Goetze and his team-mates
It's the 171st goal of the tournament and with it he's surely won the World Cup for Germany?
Messi looks bereft at the restart. There may be seven minutes remaining but his body language suggests the game is over
The final whistle goes and Germany are victorious. They've won their fourth World Cup
Bastian Schweinsteiger is in tears as Julian Draxler comes to congratulate him
Messi cuts a dejected and isolated figure
Up the Germans go to collect their prize
They're the World Champions, once again
Now there's a first kiss Mario Goetze won't forget
THE GUARDIAN
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