RELIVE: Germany v Argentina, World Cup Final

Ahram Online provided a live coverage of the World Cup 2014 final showdown between Germany and Argentina on Sunday

Full time: Germany 1-0 Argentina
It's over! Germany are crowned world champions for the fourth time and the first since 1990.
120+2' in Argentin's last chance, Messi blasts a long-range free kick high over.
120' The referee adds two minutes of stoppage time.
119' Mueller muscles his way on the left flank but his eventual cross is not accurate.
118' Messi towers unmarked following a ballooning cross from Rojo but his header goes over the bar.
116' Just four minutes remaining before the final whistle. Argentina are pouring forward en masse.
113' Mario Goetze brilliantly controls a cross from Schurrle on his chest and blasts and angled shot into the back of the net after a rare defensive lapse from Argentina. Germany are close to lifting their first World Cup trophy since beating Argentina in the 1990 final!
113' GOAL FOR GERMANY!!
112' Germany's players are furious at the referee. They are angry Palacio was not booked for tugging the shirt of a German player.
109' Germany midfielder Schweinsteiger suffers a cut under his eye after being caught by Aguero's flailing arm.
108' Germany are still in control as Argentina defend in numbers.
The second half of extra time begins
The first half of extra time ends
104' Machesrano is producing another impressive display in the heart of Argentina's defence, repeatedly stealing possession from Germany's forwards.
102' Macherano is lucky to escape a second yellow card after a challenge on Schweinsteiger.
100' Germany lay siege to Argentina's area but the two-time world champions remain very dangerous on the break.
97' Palacio spurns a golden opportunity! A long ball eludes Hummels and finds him but his attempt to lob the keeper misses the target with the goal at his mercy!
95' Germany still have the upper hand in terms of possession. But that does not always win games as the Germans lack cutting edge tonight.
93' At the other end, Palacio releases Aguero with a deft pass but the latter's angled effort goes wide.
91' Romero pulls off an impressive save to deny Germany!! Schurrle is found unmarked by a Goetze pull-back from the byline but his powerful shot is blocked by the in-form keeper.
The first half of extra time begins
The referee blows his whistle to end the normal time. We are now heading to extra time.
90+3 Germany's efforts in the dying seconds are thwarted by the Argentinean defence.
90+1' Goetze tries his luck from distance but his low shot is gathered by the keeper.
90' The referee adds three minutes of stoppage time.
90' Any goal now will most likely prove decisive.
88' Germany move to beef up their attack with the introduction of skilful winger Mario Goetze, who replaces striker Klose.
86' Argentina make their third and final substitution. Midfielder Gago replaces Enzo Perez.
84' Aguero fails to latch onto a Messi defence-splitting pass after slipping. Both sides look capable of snatching a precious winner in the dying minutes.
82' A chance for Germany! Ozil pulls the ball back to Kroos on the edge of the area but the Bayern midfielder drags his shot wide.
80' Germany pile on pressure in the last 10 minutes. A cross from the right eventually goes begging.
78' Messi weaves his way past two defenders on the edge of the German area but the ball is eventually intercepted.
77' Inter Milan forward Palacio replaces Higuain.
77' Argentinean forward Rodrigo Palacio warms up on the touchline.
75' Lionel Messi picks up a pass on the right, cuts inside his marker but his subsequent curling shot goes wide.
74' There are signs of tiredness on both sides, around 15 minutes before the normal time ends.
72' Schurrle's attempted volley goes high over.
71' Schurrle wastes a chance for Germany after failing to control a loose ball inside the area.
69' Both teams ease off but there are still acres of spaces available for them to exploit.
67' Both sides are a bit tense as the match wears on.
65' Another yellow card. This time it's for Aguero, who makes a rash challenge on Schweinsteiger.
65' Argentina midfielder Mascherano is booked for a sliding challenge on Klose.
64' Argentina press Germany high up the pitch. It remains to be seen whether the fitness of both sides will allow them to maintain their rhythm.
62' Schurrle pounces on a defensive mistake to dart down the left and crosses low. His deflected cross hits Ozil and goes out for a goal kick.
60' A tame Klose header is collected by Romero following a right-wing cross. It's an evenly-balanced affair now.
57' Manuel Neuer rushes out to clatter into Higuain on the right. The keeper maintains his habit of charging out of the box to clear the danger.
54' A Mueller cross is cleared by Garay at the other end as Germany try to carve out openings.
53' Messi repeatedly toys with Germany's defenders, but he is still unable to apply the finishing touch.
51' Argentina remain very dangerous on the break, unsettling Germany's backline with a series of counter attacks.
49' Argentina have the better chances so far, squandering three gilt-edged opportunities.
47' What a chance for Argentina!! Messi's angled shot from inside the area narrowly misses the target.
46' Boateng makes a timely interception to clear the ball in front of Higuain as Argentina make a lively start to the second half.
46' Argentina make their first substitution. Lavezzi, who was one of Argentina's best performers in the first half, is replaced with forward Sergio Aguero.
The second half is underway
The referee blows his halftime whistle to end an exciting half
45+1' The best chance for Germany!! Howedes rattles the bar with a close-range header following a corner.
45' The referee adds two minutes of stoppage time.
44' Mueller's cross goes begging as it goes past the lurking Klose at the far post!
43' At the other end, Ozil lays off the ball to Schurrle after a mistake from Mascherano but the Chelsea man's weak shot is collected by Romero.
43' Argentina are now guilty of two glaring misses in the first half despite Germany's domination of possession.
40' Messi spurns another clear-cut chance for Germany!! He picks up the ball on the right and out-paces Hummels, who keeps chasing the pacy forward. Messi dithers on the ball and, under pressure, Boateng intercepts to clear the ball just before he shoots.
37' A chance for Germany at the other end! Mueller darts down the left and pulls the ball back to Schurrle, whose powerful shot is thwarted by Romero.
36' In a trademark counter attack, Lavezzi finds Messi, who is surrounded by three defenders as his attempted pass is intercepted.
33' Another yellow card is handed to the Germans. Full-back Benedikt Howedes is booked for a reckless, studs-up challenge on Pablo Zabaleta.
31' Germany still dominated possession in the second quarter of an hour but Argentina look very dangerous on the break.
31' Germany are very unlucky as Kramer picks up an injury. He is replaced with Andre Schurrle.
30' A goal for Argentina is ruled out for offside!! Gonzalo Higuain converts a diagonal cross from close range. He celebrates widely, only to find that his goal is disallowed.
29' Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is booked for bringing down Ezequiel Lavezzi, who was making a marauding run.
28' Argentina keeper Romero rushes out to rise and handle a long ball before Klose.
27' Germany move the ball around, awaiting any gaps they can exploit.
25' Germany take too much time in their build-up play, thanks to Argentina's compact midfield and defence.
23' Miroslav Klose gathers a loose ball in the area but the defence's timely intervention denies him.
21' Argentina striker Higuain wastes a golden chance to put his side ahead! A blunder from Toni Kroos, who clumsily heads the ball back to his keeper, finds the Napoli striker instead but his volley goes wide with the goal at his mercy!
20' The match is resumed and Germany still have the better possession, but they are yet to find a way through the steadfast defence.
17' Christoph Kramer, who replaced Khedira in the starting XI after the defensive midfielder was injured in the warm-up, is receiving treatment after being challenged by Garay.
17' Klose is well shackled by the Argentina backline.
15' The first quarter of an hour was exciting, although neither side managed to create a clear-cut chance.
13' At the other end, Lahm tries to pick out Klose with a fine cross but the towering striker misses it.
12' Ezequiel Lavezzi sends another cross from the byline but Manuel Neuer collects the ball.
10' Another low cross from Argentina goes begging. Germany's left-back is being exposed.
9' In an Argentina counter-attack, Lionel Messi out-paces Hummels on the right before pulling the ball back in the area but Germany's backline clears the danger.
7' A cross by the lively Mueller is collected by Argentina keeper Romero. Germany's direct passing style will keep Argentina's defenders on their toes.
7' The opening minutes look promising.
5' In a flowing move, Mueller receives a pass on the right before sending in a low cross that is cleared by the Argentina defence.
4' In Argentina's first foray forward, Gonzalo Higuain sends an angled shot that goes across the six-yard box.
4' The touched-on free-kick is blocked by the wall.
3' Germany forward Thomas Mueller is awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area after being challenged by Mario Rojo.
2' Germany push forward in the first few minutes.
1' Should Germany win tonight, they will become the first European side to win the World Cup in South America.
The match is underway
20:55 A blow for Germany! Samir Khedira is injured in the warm-up. He is replaced with Christoph Kramer.
20:55 Both sides step onto the pitch for the customary pre-match national anthems.
20:50 Former Spain skipper Carles Puyol steps onto the pitch, holding the World Cup trophy which he lifted four years ago in South Africa.
20:30 Both sides are warming up, 30 minutes before kick-off.
20:10 Both sides play it safe, almost sticking to the same line-ups with which they won their respective semi-finals. For Argentina, Angel Di Maria, who appears not fully fit, and forward Sergio Aguero start on the bench.
20:00 Argentina's starting line-up: Sergio Romero, Pablo Zabaleta, Ezequiel Garay, Martin Demichelis, Mario Rojo, Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Enzo Perez, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi.
19:50 Germany's starting line-up: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Howedes; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Christoph Kramer ; Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil; Miroslav Klose.
19:45 The closing ceremony has ended. We are now awaiting the starting line-ups of both sides.
19:30 World Cup penalty shootout record for Germany and Argentina:
1982 West Germany beat France 5-4
1986 West Germany beat Mexico 4-1
1990 Argentina beat Yugoslavia 3-2
1990 Argentina beat Italy 4-3
1990 West Germany beat England 4-3
1998 Argentina beat England 4-3
2006 Germany beat Argentina 4-2
2014 Argentina beat Netherlands 4-2
19:00 Germany players stats:
Top scorer: Thomas Mueller (5)
Leading tackler: Benedikt Hoewedes (16)
Most shots: Mueller (16)
Most distance covered: Mueller (68.8 km)
Most passes completed: Philipp Lahm (458)
18:40 Argentina player stats:
Top scorer: Lionel Messi (4)
Leading tackler: Javier Mascherano (18)
Most shots: Angel di Maria (25)
Most distance covered: Mascherano (67.2 km)
Most passes completed: Mascherano (478)
18:20 Despite a disappointing fourth-place finish, Brazil fans, living around the stadium in Rio's Maracana neighbourhood that also hosted the 1950 World Cup decider in which the hosts lost to Uruguay, had unfurled their green, yellow and blue flags on the balconies.
Chanting "Brazil, Brazil" to the Argentines below, these Rio citizens were eager to add a touch of South American rivalry even if their team was left out of the biggest party of the tournament, with the World Cup drawing to a close after an action-packed month.
18:10Police, military and other security personnel numbering tens of thousands mingled with arriving fans as the host nation looked to safely round off a tournament which has been largely successful despite initial fears regarding security, transport and construction.
Authorities expected a total of 100,000 Argentines to flood into the city of their bitter footballing rivals with Germany fans easily outnumbered.
More Argentine planes were landing in the morning at Rio's international airport carrying neighbouring fans into the city for the showcase final and a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 World Cup finals.
18:00The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro was basking in glorious sunshine after two days of heavy rain as the iconic Maracana stadium was ready to host the soccer World Cup final between Germany and Argentina on Sunday.
With the Germans looking to become the first European nation to win the title on South American soil and the Argentines desperate to lift a third World Cup trophy and their first since 1986, large crowds gathered around the stadium from the early morning in a cascade of colours.
From traditional Bavarian Lederhosen and East Germany vintage tops of the 1970s to giant blue and white Argentine flags and those of every South American nation, fans were getting ready for the biggest single event in world sports.
"This is our time. This is our continent and our victory tonight here in Brazil," said Juan Alvarez, 24, who drove three days from the Argentine capital Buenos Aires with a group of friend, as he showed his ticket for the game.
"Winning it here in Brazil would make it even better," he said.
17:50Inside the stadium, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be among the world leaders watching the game.
17:45Ahead of the 64th and last match, workers and supporters were already arriving at the Maracana Stadium at 9 a.m. local time, seven hours head of kickoff. Security forces were on site in the early hours preparing for Brazil's big day. More than 25,000 police and soldiers will be on guard for the game, the biggest security detail in Brazilian history.
17:35Tens of thousands of fans will flock to the World Cup final between Germany and Argentina on Sunday, and millions of Brazilians across South America's biggest country have one more game to celebrate their monthlong football celebration.
17:30Argentina and Germany are two of the world's football heavyweights. Take a look at their past achievements.##
17:15Statistics at this tournament:
Games played: Argentina 6, Germany 6
Goals scored: Argentina 8, Germany 17
Goals from set piece: Argentina 1, Germany 3
Shots on target: Argentina 61, Germany 64
Corners awarded: Argentina 44, Germany 32
Fouls committed: Argentina 64, Germany 71
Yellow cards: Argentina 6, Germany 4
Red cards: Argentina 0, Germany 0
Distance ran per match: Argentina 113.9 km, Germany 116 km
Passes completed: Argentina 2,928, Germany 3,421
Pass completion rate: Argentina 78 percent, Germany 82 percent
16:50Germany's path to the final:
Group G: Germany 4 Portugal 0, Germany 2 Ghana 2, Germany 1 United States 0
Last 16: Germany 2, Algeria 1 Quarter-final: Germany 1 France 0
Semi-final: Germany 7 Brazil 1
16:35Argentina's path to the final:
Group F:Argentina 2 Bosnia 1,Argentina 1 Iran 0,Argentina 3 Nigeria 2
Last 16:Argentina 1 Switzerland 0
Quarter-final:Argentina 1 Belgium 0
Semi-final:Argentina 0 Netherlands 0 (4-2 pens)
16:15Previous meetings:Argentina and Germany have played 20 times. Argentina have won nine, Germany seven with four draws.
Head to head list:
Argentina 1 West Germany 3 1958 World Cup
Argentina 0 West Germany 0 1966 World Cup
Argentina 3 West Germany 2 1973 Friendly
Argentina 1 West Germany 3 1977 Friendly
Argentina 1 West Germany 2 1979 Friendly
Argentina 2 West Germany 1 1981 Gold Cup
Argentina 1 West Germany 1 1982 Friendly
Argentina 3 West Germany 1 1984 Friendly
Argentina 3 West Germany 2 1986 World Cup (Final)
Argentina 1 West Germany 0 1987 Friendly
Argentina 0 West Germany 1 1988 Friendly
Argentina 0 West Germany 1 1990 World Cup (Final)
Argentina 2 Germany 1 1993 Friendly
Argentina 1 Germany 0 2002 Friendly
Argentina 2 Germany 2 2005 Friendly
Argentina 2 Germany 2 2005 Confederations Cup
Argentina 1 Germany 1 (2-4 on pens) 2006 World Cup
Argentina 1 Germany 0 2010 Friendly
Argentina 0 Germany 4 2010 World Cup
Argentina 3 Germany 1 2012 Friendly
15:55 Alejandro Sabella and Joachim Loew, managers of Argentina and Germany respectively, are eager to win the world's most coveted trophy for the first time. Take a look at their past achievements on the club level. ##
15:40 Four key battles in the match
Germany midfielder Sami Khedira v Argentina forward Lionel Messi
Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain v Germany defender Mats Hummels
Germany forward Thomas Mueller v Argentina defender Marcos Rojo
Germany midfielder Toni Kroos v Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano
Read about the four battles in detailhere
15:30The Germans have won the world title three times, though all three triumphs were as West Germany (1954, 1974, 1990).
15:25 The South Americans won their first title in 1978, beating the Netherlands in the final, and their second in 1986 with a 3-2 win over West Germany.
15:10Twice champions Argentina are returning to the final for the first time since losing 1-0 to West Germany in 1990
15:00 Germany v Argentina is the most frequently contested World Cup final, with Sunday's game marking their third clash for the biggest prize in football.
14:40Lionel Messi is Argentina's most lethal weapon while Thomas Mueller is Germany's best finisher. Take a look at the mini bios of the two forwards.##
14:30 Probable teams:
Germany: 1-Manuel Neuer; 16-Philipp Lahm, 20-Jerome Boateng, 5-Mats Hummels, 4-Benedikt Hoewedes; 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 6-Sami Khedira, 13-Thomas Mueller, 18-Toni Kroos, 8-Mesut Ozil; 11-Miroslav Klose
Argentina: 1-Sergio Romero; 4-Pablo Zabaleta, 15-Martin Demichelis, 2-Ezequiel Garay, 16-Marcos Rojo; 14-Javier Mascherano, 6-Lucas Biglia, 8-Enzo Perez, 10-Lionel Messi; 22-Ezequiel Lavezzi, 9-Gonzalo Higuain
14:15While the the hosts are still coming to terms with their 7-1 semi-final humiliation by Germany and are preparing for the third-place playoff against the Netherlands, Argentina and Germany are gearing up to settle old scores
14:00 It might not be the way Brazilians wanted the World Cup to end but Sunday's final between Argentina and Germany will provide a nerve-jangling climax to the best tournament in history - even though the goals that have lit it up may not flow.
13:30 On this final day of World Cup 2014, Germany hope to become the first European team to win on South American soil while Argentina's Lionel Messi dreams of title glory
Venue:
Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
Officials:
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)
Assistants:Renato Faverani (Italy),Andrea Stefani (Italy)
Fourth official: Carlos Vera (Ecuador)
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