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.

3rd & 7 37yd

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
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
Gisele Bündchen shows love in Rio (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:05:21 PM
Full house at hotel Adlon all assembled in bar to watch the game. We sneaked in as well... it's raining outside. #cnnonig #cnnworldcup #hotel #luxury #besthotels #aldon #soccer #worldcup #bar
by voxpen via Instagram

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:05:43 PM
Piers Morgan
@piersmorgan
Global World Cup Final TV audience in 2010 (airing in 70 countries) was 705m. Superbowl same year (36 countries) was 191m. #RealFootball
Jul. 13, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:06:16 PM
Never wanting to be outdone, our CNN team out in Rio have also had a go at predicting the score.
Chris Eldergill
@EldergillCNN
Jul. 13, 2014
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by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:07:51 PM
GERMANY 0-0 ARGENTINA (8 mins)

The stadium is overwhelmingly made up of Argentina fans but its side is on the back foot a little here. Muller has a chance to cross from the right but he sends the ball sailing into the arms of Romero. Argentina a little penned in so far.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:08:07 PM
Will we sing "Evita /Evita" or...will we sing "ein prosit / ein prosit" ?????Pieterat 8:07 PM

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:09:11 PM
GERMANY 0-0 ARGENTINA (10 mins)

Messi's first real run gets the crowd off its feet. The Barcelona star takes on and beats Hummels not once but twice, though his cross into the box is cut out by Schweinsteiger.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:09:43 PM
John Sinnott
@JohnSinnott
CNN's #WorldCupFinal liive blog engine room in Atlanta http://t.co/DNo6hpFwvj via @nwrenn #CNNWorldCup http://t.co/XQX7pjcyto
Jul. 13, 2014
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by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:10:55 PM
GERMANY 0-0 ARGENTINA (12 mins)

Argentina aren't penned in anymore. Zabaleta makes a great break down the right and crosses ... but can't pick out a blue shirt. Then Biglia's shot is deflected behind for a corner which is eventually claimed by Neuer. A bright start in Rio.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:11:52 PM
I love Germany... You should be win this time. Lets enjoy the game.. All Sri Lankan's eye on you Germany. I love u lot.Lasantha Madushankaat 8:06 PM

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:12:04 PM
Crowded room in Buenos Aires cheering non-stop for #ARG. #CNNWorldCup
by duartemendonca via Instagram

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:12:28 PM
GERMANY 0-0 ARGENTINA (14 mins)

In keeping with the tournament so far this game is incredibly open for a World Cup final. Muller's cross looks for Klose but he can't get his head on it. Germany have never lost a game in which Klose has scored. Remember that fact.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:14:07 PM
LeBron James
@KingJames
The greatest sporting event I've ever been to! #WorldCupFinal #Brazil #StriveForGreatness http://t.co/4k0T5ZqUOc
Jul. 13, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:14:49 PM
Argentina looking more up for it! Great Atsmophere!garry.robinsimpson@gmail.comat 8:13 PM

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:15:51 PM
That Miroslav Klose stat in full:

Germany has never lost a match in which the World Cup's all-time leading marksman has scored any of his 71 goals (W41-D8-L0).

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:16:55 PM
GERMANY 0-0 ARGENTINA (18 mins)

That is a horrible blow for Kramer -- the man who replaced Khedira just before kick off. He is barged right in the face by Garay, who seemingly only had eyes for the ball. Kramer needs treatment but looks OK to continue.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:18:35 PM
Alex Thomas
@alexthomascnn
A lot more Argentine blue than German white in here right now. #cnnworldcup http://t.co/pWrzlK9Pmq
Jul. 13, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:18:58 PM
Not for the first time in this tournament a player receives lengthy treatment for a head injury.

It's a matter which is hotly debated throughout the sporting world, with many concerned that the symptoms of concussion aren't immediately obvious.

Kramer has dusted himself off and he's back on the pitch. Whether or not he should be allowed to continue is another issue.

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:20:17 PM
GERMANY 0-0 ARGENTINA (22 mins)

What a miss! The first clear cut chance of the match falls to Higuain after a Misplaced Kroos header sends him in on goal. He only had Neuer to beat but dragged it wide of goal. Oh dear.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:21:36 PM
Abdon David
@AbdonDavid
How could he miss that? #CNNWorldCup
Jul. 13, 2014
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by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:21:57 PM
Matt Dickinson
@DickinsonTimes
NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Higuain has 70 mins to prevent that miss being career-defining
Jul. 13, 2014
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by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:22:02 PM
GERMANY 0-0 ARGENTINA (24 mins)

The Argentine bench turned away in disgust after that Higuain miss, as he tried to bury his head in his hands ... but missed. I joke, of course, but that could haunt him forever should Germany go on to win.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:23:24 PM
GERMANY 0-0 ARGENTINA (38 mins)

Now Germany respond with a fine ball from Ozil into Schurrle -- his powerful effort is saved by Romero but the offside flag had gone up.

by Chris Murphy 7/13/2014 7:37:52 PM
Great to see everyone standing too ... #diyterrace #arg fans #cnnworldcup #worldcup
by benwyattcnn via Instagram

by tom.mcgowan 7/13/2014 7:38:11 PM