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WINNING MOMENT . . . Mario Gotze of Germany scores his team’s winning goal past Sergio Romero of Argentina in extra time. — Mailonline

Rio de Janeiro. — Germany’S Mario Gotze scored with a brilliant finish to put his team ahead in the dying minutes of the World Cup final against Argentina yesterday.
The Bayern Munich star coolly slotted home to score in the 113th minute, after his team had been battled long into extra time in their bid to take home the famous trophy for the fourth time — the first time as a unified nation.

Despite Germany having gone into the game on the back of a 7-1 humiliation of Brazil, it was Argentina who had the better chances in the first half — with Gonzalo Higuain breaching goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s net, only for the goal to be ruled offside.

And while Germany looked strong as the full-time whistle approached inside the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, they found the Argentine defence far less porous than that of Brazil on Tuesday, and struggled to make a breakthrough on goal in normal time.

Both teams had a chance to score in the first half of extra time, with Germany’s Andre Schurrle and Argentina’s Rodrigo Palacio both spurning chances to put their sides ahead.

Thousands had crammed into the world-famous stadium with millions more tuning in around the globe and fan parks packed on Copacabana beach, Berlin and Buenos Aires. — Mailonline.