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.
France's much-vaunted attack missed a series of chances as it drew 0-0 with 10-man Ecuador to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup on Wednesday, while the South Americans bowed out of the tournament.
When Joachim Loew and Germany meet Juergen Klinsmann and Team USA in the final group match on Thursday, it will in no way be just another World Cup match.
An Argentine fan in Brazil for the World Cup was shot in the leg during a bar fight over rival soccer clubs, security officials said on Wednesday, heightening concerns about possible violence if Argentina meets Brazil in the tournament's final match.
As the world was judging Uruguay's Luis Suarez for biting a player in the World Cup, his teammates, coaches and fans in his soccer-crazy country defended the star, blaming the foreign media, his Italian opponents and uneven treatment.
Nigeria's coach says striker Michael Babatunde is undergoing surgery for a broken arm after being hit by a ball struck by a teammate in their World Cup match against Argentina on Wednesday.
Though confined to the technical area once play is in progress, their influence on the pitch can be seen everywhere from strategy to substitutions. How they react during the course of a match is often fascinating to watch.
The curtains have rolled back on the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Fortunate fans around the globe have flocked to host cities and are concentrated in Rio de Janeiro, where the final will be held. Yet the Brazilian buzz is not exclusively felt in the host nation, or in the 32 competing countries. Nations eliminated in the qualifying groups have not let their light of fervor flicker in the wind of resignation.
Lionel Messi scored at the start and end of the first half as Argentina beat Nigeria 3-2 in a thriller on Wednesday to top World Cup Group F.
Germany's unexpected 2-2 draw with Ghana in the second round of Group G matches came under suspicion of match fixing after British betting company William Hill reported unusual betting patterns and warned of possible Asian match-fixers. All about World Cup
Colombia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon became the oldest player to compete at a World Cup when he went on as a late substitute in the 4-1 win over Japan on Tuesday.
Lionel Messi has revealed his 27th birthday wish: to lift the World Cup winner's trophy at the Maracana stadium on July 13.
With or without Luis Suarez, Uruguay faces a serious challenge keeping the Colombia juggernaut at bay in the last 16 of the World Cup.
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