European stalwarts won title for the fourth time when substitute Mario Goetze volleyed in a brilliant goal seven minutes from the end of extra time.
The 10-man shortlist is dominated by Argentina and Germany, with 4 Germans, 3 Argentines, and one player each from Brazil, Colombia and the Netherlands.
The most surprising moment at the World Cup is probably not the Uruguay's Luis Suarez's biting his Italian opponent Giorgio Chiellini, but the flickering logo of a Chinese company lining the soccer field as well as a long list of Chinese-made advanced technology products making inroads into the six-week sports gala.
Police across China will be out in force on Sunday night, on the lookout for drunk drivers before, during and after the World Cup final between Germany and Argentina.
Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic replaced Rafael Nadal at No 1 in the ATP rankings Monday, while runner-up Roger Federer rose one spot to No 3.
It may be anathema to most Brazilians, but Neymar has expressed his wish for Argentina to be World Cup champions on Sunday.
In the same week he usurped Ronaldo as the World Cup's top scorer, Germany striker Miroslav Klose said the Brazilian remains football's most complete player.
Argentina winger Angel Di Maria is racing against the clock to recover from a thigh injury in time for the World Cup final against Germany on Sunday.
About 26,000 armed personnel will be deployed to ensure public safety during the World Cup final at Rio's Maracana stadium on Sunday.
When Lionel Messi's Argentina takes on Germany in Sunday's World Cup final, it looks at first glance like a meeting between brilliant individual scoring talent and the tight discipline of a collective unit. All about World Cup
Goals are the most important ingredients of World Cups. Some are astonishing, displaying sublime skills; others outrageous and some simply controversial.
Apart from watching games and late-night socializing, fans have found another way to participate in the soccer carnival by buying lottery tickets.
Several cities in the host country reported violent scenes after the sensational 7-1 thrashing.
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