Germany’s Mario Gotze scored with a brilliant finish to win the World Cup for Germany tonight, as his team beat Argentina 1-0 in the hotly-contested final.
The Bayern Munich star coolly slotted home to score in the 113th minute, after his team had been battled long into extra time in their bid to take home the famous trophy for the fourth time – the first time as a unified nation.
Midfielder Gotze, 22, came on as a substitute to net the winner, making the Germans the first European team to win the title in South America.
Despite Germany having gone into the game on the back of a 7-1 humiliation of Brazil, it was Argentina who had the better chances in the first half – with Gonzalo Higuain breaching goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s net, only for the goal to be ruled offside.
And while Germany looked strong as the full-time whistle approached inside the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, they found the Argentine defence far less porous than that of Brazil on Tuesday, and struggled to make a break through on goal in normal time.
Both teams had a chance to score in the first half of extra time, with Germany’s Andre Schurrle and Argentina’s Rodrigo Palacio both spurning chances to put their sides ahead.
Thousands had crammed into the world-famous stadium with millions more tuning in around the globe and fan parks packed on Copacabana beach, Berlin and Buenos Aires.
And a host of famous fans were in the stadium for the final game, including singer Rihanna, football legend Pele and supermodel Gisele.