Germany won the World Cup for the fourth time thanks to a stunning extra-time winner from super-sub Mario Gotze. The final looked set to go to a penalty shoot-out in the Maracana, but in the 113th unlike many of his team-mates, Schurrle still had plenty of energy left in the tank.
He raced down the left-hand side past three Argentinians and crossed for Gotze who cushioned the ball on his chest swept the ball past Romero from close range. It was a wonderful strike worthy of winning any tournament.
It will take a while for Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Rodrigo Palacio to forget this defeat. They were all guilty of missing good chances to give Argentina what would have been a glorious win in the home of their fiercest rivals Brazil.
Tens of thousands of Argentinians had flooded Rio hoping to see Messi inspire his team to their third World Cup win. This was Messi's chance to put himself on a par with his idol Diego Maradona.
But unlike in 1986, when Maradona captained Argentina to victory against the Germans, this was Germany’s night and there would be few who would argue they did not deserve it.
Ever since they swept Portugal aside 4-0 in their opening match, Germany have impressed on the way to World Cup glory.
Blessed with talent from one to 23, they are a brutal attacking unit also capable of keeping things tight at the back. The 7-1 destruction of Brazil in the previous round proved as much.
>> Match Highlights <<
