World Cup final: Germany vs. Argentina

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Brazil 2014

World Cup final: Germany vs. Argentina

Brazil 2014 draws to a close as Germany takes on Argentina at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. Follow all of the action with CNN's live coverage.

by tom.mcgowan

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 5:00:17 PM
After 63 games, it's finally here.

1463 days after Spain won football's biggest prize in Johannesburg, South Africa, it's Germany and Argentina that will go head-to-head in Rio de Janeiro for the right to call themselves world champions.

Brazil 2014 is coming to an end and what a climax we have in prospect.

It's a clash of former world champions, a battle between two football superpowers and a meeting of some of the finest players on the planet.

I'm Tom McGowan and after tipping Argentina to win at the outset, I'm hoping Gary Lineker's words prove false.

Unlike my colleague Chris Murphy...

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 5:07:26 PM
Correct, Tom. It's not only in Rio that battle lines have been drawn. There is also a battle for pride at CNN Towers in London given that my pre-tournament tip was Die Nationalmannschaft.

A compelling case can -- and will -- be made for both but let's hope above all else the final is one in keeping with a breathless, magnificent month and a bit of football.

We'll all be inconsolable tomorrow so let's make sure we make the most of tonight.

We've all sorts to come before kick-off at 1900 GMT; our World Cup awards, which will be chosen by you, players to watch, key stats and each nation's finals history.

Be warned, Tom and I are VERY excited...

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 5:20:12 PM
The best view in all of Rio... Credit: (YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)
by tom.mcgowan

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 5:23:21 PM
As always, WE WANT YOU involved in our festival of football.

How are you watching the game? Who are you tipping to win and what have been your highlights of the tournament? You can let us know by posting a comment or by tweeting the hashtag #CNNWorldCup

Get involved!

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 5:31:49 PM
We've got our correspondents all over the globe, ready and waiting to see who lifts the trophy.

CNN World Sport's very own Christina Macfarlane is on the ground in Berlin, where the heavens have opened.
Christina Macfarlane
@chrissymacCNN
Rain is pouring but German fans are on a high here at the Brandenburg Gate! #Berlin #CNNworldcup #worldcup http://t.co/pA7xgiLxPv
Jul. 13, 2014
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by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 5:37:01 PM
The picture is a little brighter in Buenos Aires, where Duarte Mendonca is poised to capture the joy or despair of the fans as the World Cup final unfolds....
Duarte Mendonça
@DuarteMendonca
Game hasn't started, there is no screen at the Obelisco, but it's getting very crowded! Great atmosphere #CNNWorldCup http://t.co/JkKuLC3yaV
Jul. 13, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 5:42:29 PM
The Closing Ceremony is under way at the Maracana. Credit: (PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images)
by tom.mcgowan

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 5:48:22 PM
It's going to be a tough one and I think Germany has a very strong team. If Messi can summon a Maradona like game, they could beat the Germans.Oscarat 6:47 PM

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 5:49:24 PM
WORLD CUP AWARDS

As the final match of this wonderful tournament approaches, we thought it'd be appropriate to have a look back at the feast of football we've witnessed over the past month and ask you to pick a winner in three categories: BEST PLAYER, BEST MATCH and BEST GOAL...

We've narrowed each shortlist down to four and first up is best player....

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 5:52:16 PM
FIFAWorldCup
@FIFAWorldCup
STATS: There's a lot of history between #GER & #ARG, compare their #worldcup numbers #GERARG - http://t.co/CDgQHALRd7 http://t.co/NhGWq5rFm8
Jul. 13, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 5:58:02 PM
Thomas Muller is leading our BEST PLAYER poll at present -- we'll leave this one open until after tonight's team news so keep voting.....

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 6:03:50 PM
Reporting from Berlin overlooking the fan zone. It's raining but that does not seem to matter for this crowd. @chrissymac28 #cnnonig #cnnworldcup #berlin #worldcup #fanzone

by IG WOJ. | Int. TV News via Instagram 7/13/2014 6:04:36 PM
TEAM NEWS - GERMANY v ARGENTINA
FIFAWorldCup
@FIFAWorldCup
#GER LINE-UP: Neuer, Howedes, Hummels, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Klose, Muller, Lahm (c), Kroos, Boateng #GERARG #WorldCup #Joinin
Jul. 13, 2014
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FIFAWorldCup
@FIFAWorldCup
#ARG LINE-UP: Romero, Garay, Zabaleta, Biglia, Perez, Higuain, Messi (c), Mascherano, Demichelis, Rojo, Lavezzi #GERARG #WorldCup #Joinin
Jul. 13, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 6:06:50 PM
By now we know these two teams inside and out. With kick off fast approaching, we've taken a look at the KEY MEN in both line ups.

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:10:41 PM
by tom.mcgowan

KEY MAN - Javier Mascherano
He's nursing a delicate injury, but the midfield general is essential to Argentina's chances. Having torn his anus (yep, you read that correctly) in Wednesday's semifinal, it remains to be seen whether he'll boast the same mobility that made him "Man of the Match" in that victory over the Netherlands.

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:12:28 PM
by Chris Murphy
KEY MAN - Mats Hummels
Thomas Muller, you are probably expecting to read, and yes, he needs just one more goal to win back-to-back Golden Boots. But that'd be obvious, so I've gone for Mats Hummels. The defender has been a key component in a parsimonious back line that looked susceptible against Algeria when he was missing. His presence is vital to deal with Messi and company.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 6:13:59 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, the RESULTS ARE IN. You've been casting your votes and I can (un)officially announce who gets your vote as the BEST PLAYER of Brazil 2014.

Drum roll please...

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:16:28 PM
With 34% of the vote, Thomas Muller is your player of the tournament. No wonder he looks so pleased with himself. Credit: (Martin Rose/Getty Images)
by tom.mcgowan

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:19:51 PM
Next to be put to the public vote is BEST MATCH, with a list of beauties to choose from:
Brazil 1-7 Germany
Spain 1-5 Netherlands
Belgium 2-1 USA
Germany 2-2 Ghana

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 6:21:50 PM
Check out these fans jumping on Rio's beaches! From CNN's Carlos Montero @monterocnn

by jessica.king edited by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:22:46 PM
I'm really nervous bout this world cup finals Germany vs Argentina soon to kick off man #cnnworldcup #brazil2014bashmanat 7:17 PM

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:24:48 PM
Given Tom and I are going head-to-head with our predictions, allow us to lay our arguments out in full for you to judge. Here are THREE REASONS WHY GERMANY WILL WIN..

THOMAS MULLER
The Bayern Munich star won the Golden Boot in 2010 and has five goals and three assists in this World Cup. If he finds the net tonight he'll win back-to-back Boots for the first time ever. He fires today and Germany win. Simple.

THEY ARE GERMANY
No longer can the tired "ruthless and efficient" cliche be rolled out for Germany -- it possesses far too much silk for that. They do retain an underlying steel though and a "do what it takes" will to win.

WINNING MENTALITY
It's team that is choc full of winners, with a strong core of Bayern Munich players at its fulcrum. As Spain proved, it helps enormously to have a clutch of players in your side who know each other's games so intimately.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 6:26:20 PM
Interesting thoughts, Chris, but you are entirely wrong. Tonight WILL belong to Argentina, here's why:

LIONEL MESSI
The best player in the world and one of the greatest of all time. The magical No. 10 just needs a World Cup winner's medal to cement his place as a true legend and if he plays to his full potential he should collect it tonight.

"HOME" ADVANTAGE
No European team has ever won the World Cup in South America and with Argentines flocking to Rio, Alejandro Sabella's team will feel like they're playing in Buenos Aires.

FIREPOWER
They might not have been at its awesome best, but Argentina has an incredible support cast for Messi. Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Ezequiel Lavezzi all have enough talent to win a match on their own, regardless of whether their captain performs.

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:28:00 PM
Despite my compelling arguments, it seems like Chidozie agrees with Chris. What are your predictions? Let us know.
Chidozie Douglas
@alphamale197
Gooooooaaaal #cnnworldcup #GermanyvsArgentina and Germany wins 3-2 http://t.co/7gFwxn0pVB
Jul. 13, 2014
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by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:30:02 PM
Angela Merkel is sitting next to FIFA president Sepp Blatter tonight. That's a powerful combo right there. (CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/GETTY)
by Chris Murphy

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:32:16 PM
Right, YOUR TIME IS UP. Our public has spoken, it's time to crown the BEST MATCH of Brazil 2014...

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:34:41 PM
It's the match Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari will never forget. Brazil 1- 7 (SEVEN?!) Germany. That still doesn't sound right. Credit: (PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images)
by tom.mcgowan

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:37:40 PM
I'm definitely for Germany!Jaseanat 7:39 PM

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:39:25 PM
Right, the final poll in our World Cup Awards is for BEST GOAL, and here are your dazzling candidates...

Tim Cahill - Australia vs. Netherlands
Robin van Persie - Netherlands vs. Spain
James Rodriguez - Colombia vs. Uruguay
David Luiz - Brazil vs. Colombia

by Chris Murphy edited by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:39:42 PM
The stadium every football fan in the world wants to be at today #worldcupfinal #cnnworldcup
by benwyattcnn via Instagram

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:42:32 PM
That is a powerhouse soccer hat-trick right there: Kaka, Pele and Beckham. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
by Chris Murphy

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 6:43:07 PM
15 MINUTES TO GO UNTIL KICK OFF. Excited? Me too.

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:45:11 PM
You, the planet's footballing public, have spoken for the final time to choose the World Cup's BEST GOAL. And what a choice -- JAMES RODRIGUEZ. Well done, it's the right answer.
by Chris Murphy

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 6:48:39 PM
Pope Francis
@Pontifex
The World Cup allowed people from different countries and religions to come together. May sport always promote the culture of encounter.
Jul. 12, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 6:51:37 PM
BREAKING NEWS: A hammer blow for Germany, midfielder SAMI KHEDIRA picked up an injury in the warm up and has been replaced in the starting XI by CHRISTOPH KRAMER.

Any one who has ever kicked a football can imagine how horrible that must feel.

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:53:54 PM
My favorite team is Germany! Good luck to this team!Valeriiat 7:51 PM

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:54:10 PM
I picked Mats Hummels out as my key man earlier, and as the Germans stroll out of the tunnel and line up for the anthems they will be hoping he can prove an "abwehrriegel" (defensive barrier) tonight....

by tom.mcgowan

There are some other handy German phrases in this piece by Frederick Pleitgen: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/07/11/sport/football/world-cup-pleitgen-german-words/

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 6:56:42 PM
As the teams sing their national anthems with gusto, let's take a moment to imagine what poor Sami Khedira is going through.

You're going through a routine warm up ahead of the biggest match in the world, and your body lets you down.

We're hearing it's a calf strain. It could happen to anyone at any time, but this is particularly cruel.

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 6:57:20 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, the World Cup final is off and running. You can almost smell the tension in Rio from here. Sit back and enjoy...

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 6:59:18 PM
With the action now under way, it's time to share the predictions of the CNN team here in London. Do you agree? Let us know!

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:00:24 PM
World Cup predictions from CNN London #CNNWorldCup #Brazil2014 #WorldCupFinal

by CNN Football Club via Instagram 7/13/2014 7:00:25 PM
GERMANY 0-0 ARGENTINA (3 mins)

Argentina is forced to hoof clear from its area to begin with then Muller is taken out by Rojo 30 yards from goal. A free-kick for the Germans and plenty of candidates to take it.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:03:09 PM
My TV has no football channel available. Comments from people here is helping me understand what's going on thereRajuat 8:02 PM

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:04:44 PM
GERMANY 0-0 ARGENTINA (5 mins)

That Germany free-kick ended with Argentina's first chance. Kroos' effort was blocked then Argentina streaked upfield, Gonzalo Higuain firing wide from a narrow angle as he burst into the box. Neuer had it covered.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:04:45 PM