A gruelling 120 minutes ended with a narrow 1-0 victory for Germany as the world cup drew to a close with a glamorous final at the Maracana.
Mario Gotze’s 113th minute goal gave Germany their fourth title, drawing at par with Italy and remaining just one shy of Brazil total of five.
Substitutes Schurrle and Gotze combined for the goal, Schurrle’s cross finding Gotze in the box, who controlled with his chest and hit a first time volley past Argentina keeper Sergi Romero.
Germany and Argentina remained the last two standing at the end of a gruelling thirty days of action and the two sides locked horns in the iconic Maracana stadium for the honour of being addressed as world champions.
It did not take long for the game to heat up, a headed back pass from Toni Kroos intercepted by an unmarked Higuain. The forward incredulously dragged his shot wide, with Manuel Neuer at his mercy.
Germany kept the bulk of possession, whilst Argentina defended gallantly and hit on the counter, the pace of Higuain, Messi, and Lavessi causing the German defence all sorts of problems.
A similar fast break led to Argentina breaking the deadlock in the 30th minute, but Higuain was offside when he turned in Lavessi’s cross, leaving the scores unchanged.
Germany lifted up their game as the half wore on, particularly after Andre Schurrle was brought on for the injured Kramer. The Chelsea forward hit a thunderbolt towards goal in the 31st minute, but Romero was alert to turn it aside.
A crazy last five minutes of the half first saw Messi rampage down the right flank, but Boateng stuck to him like glue and finally managed to clear; before Howedes saw his header strike the bar just before halftime to end the first half goalless.
The second half commenced with a change from Sabella, Aguero coming on for Lavessi. And Argentina began the half with renewed purpose, Messi getting himself free down the right in the 47th, but he dragged his shot wide across the face of goal.