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.
World Cup favourites Brazil were held to a 0-0 draw by Mexico on Tuesday as goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa produced an inspired performance to deny the Brazilians their 11th victory in a row.
Much-fancied Belgium suffered a case of stage fright in their first World Cup match in 12 years and had to battle back from a goal down to beat gutsy Algeria 2-1 with two goals late in the game in their World Cup Group H opener on Tuesday.
Some 5,200 drunk driving cases were dealt with nationwide in the first three days of World Cup. An average of 1,733 were committed each day, an increase of 65 percent over 2010's average of 1,049.
The sports company adidas Group said its global sales for soccer could hit a record high of 2 billion euros ($2.71 billion) this year thanks to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The soccer World Cup is not just a stage for players but also fans whose cheers, laughter or tears are added to by their costumes and make-up. Following are some of the fancy dress outfits fans have been seen wearing in Brazil.
In addition to the World Cup's first affirmative use of goal-line technology that saw one of the three goals France scored against Honduras confirmed by camera, a far simpler innovation is making its presence felt.
At least three Chinese fans have reportedly died after staying up to watch the on-going World Cup.
Germany's Thomas Mueller celebrates scoring his team's third goal, his second goal for the match, against Portugal during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador, June 16, 2014.
Three statues of World Cup stars greets Beijing fans on Xidan Street on Monday.
Though the Chinese soccer team is again absent from the World Cup, Chinese products, from mascot Fuleco to official instrument the caxirola and hybrid buses, stand out.
Clint Dempsey scored one of fastest goals in World Cup history and John Brooks scored the game winner on a header in the 86th minute of a 2-1 U.S. victory over Ghana, which had knocked the Americans out of the previous two World Cups.
Lower levels of intimacy, bickering, abandonment issues - these are some of the hallmarks of the many women in China who feel like "soccer widows" during the World Cup.
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