Welcome to live picture coverage of the World Cup final from the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil here on Sports Mole.

The game ended with Germany winning 1-0 in extra time, thanks to a Mario Gotze strike eight minutes from the end.

Below is a selection of pictures from the game, starting with Germany holding the trophy aloft, and running back through the 120 minutes of action:

And here they are with the trophy, which captain Philipp Lahm holds aloft.

But tonight is all about the Germans, and these are the scenes in Berlin as the final whistle is sounded.

Despair for Messi, who walks off the pitch having lost the biggest match of his career.

Germany win the World Cup! They've done it! Gotze's strike is enough to give Germany their first World Cup win in 24 years.

It was a superb finish by Gotze, who has punished Messi, Higuain and Palacio for some poor misses tonight.

Finally! The deadlock is broken with eight minutes of extra time remaining. Substitute Mario Gotze controls the ball and flicks it past Romero to surely win the World Cup for Germany.

A bloodied-eyed Bastian Schweinsteiger leaves the field after a clash with Sergio Aguero, with the Argentinean probably lucky to remain on the field.

Rodrigo Palacio came closest during the opening period of extra time, however his looped effort over Neuer trickled wide.

It's been a gruelling 90 minutes for both sides, who go off to the sidelines to receive pep-talks from their bosses and a little treatment too, if necessary.

Klose was replaced by Mario Gotze shortly before full-time, meaning that it's probably the last we'll see of the striker in a national team shirt at the World Cup. Of course, Klose broke Ronaldo's all-time World Cup goalscoring record last week, so it's safe to say we've just said goodbye to a bit of a competition legend.

That Kroos shot was as close as either side came in the last 10 minutes, so we'll have extra-time to try and find a winner of the 2014 World Cup.

Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero stays calm and calls "safe" as Kroos side-foots an effort wide of his post.

Still goalless here as we head into the final 10 minutes. Can either side nick a late and dramatic winner?

Things have become a little scrappy, and Mascherano is booked for a poor challenge on Klose. Very little goalmouth action of note at the moment.

Neuer - in his familiar sweeper role - rushes out to punch clear from Higuain. The Argentine striker feels the full force of Neuer's knee in his head, but somehow it's deemed a foul against him.

Messi so nearly has his big moment. Through on goal and one-on-one with Neuer, he drags his shot just wide of the upright. So close to giving his team the lead.

Argentina start the second period on the front foot and German boss Joachim Loew doesn't appear to be enjoying himself too much so far. Things aren't quite as easy tonight as they were against the Brazilians.

Despite a superb leap, Benedikt Hoewedes somehow smashes a headed effort off of the post on the stroke of half-time. Goalless after 45 minutes here at the Maracana.

After a bang to the head, Christoph Kramer is forced off. The young midfielder only came into the team at late notice when Sami Khedira became injured in the warm-up, but his night is over with him clearly seeing stars. Unlucky for him.

Higuain thinks that he has redeemed himself when he steers the ball into the corner past Neuer. He wheels away in celebration, but he's two yards offside and the goal is disallowed.

Gonzalo Higuain wastes the most clear-cut chance of the game so far, snatching at a shot from the edge of the box following a Toni Kroos error.

Messi finds some joy down the right, pulling the ball back into a dangerous area. Unfortunately the cross evades everybody but it's a positive moment for Argentina.

We're underway, and Miroslav Klose is trying to jink his way into a shooting position early on.

Lionel Messi doesn't bat an eyelid as he walks past the World Cup trophy. He'll have dreamed of winning this prize for his side his whole life. Is tonight the night?

Perhaps David Beckham hasn't told his sons about his darkest moment in international football? From the look of their shirts tonight, Team Beckham are all-for the South Americans.

Anybody remember Spain? Though long-gone in this tournament, defender Carles Puyol is here alongside Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen to present the trophy to the stadium ahead of kick-off.

A trio World Cup legends indulge in a pre-match selfie! Lothar Matthaeus, Fabio Cannavaro and Daniel Passarella all looking happy pitch side.

Colombian singer Sharika was joined on the field by Carlinhos Brown for the pre-match closing ceremony concert.

Argentineans in the crowd look confident too though, and they're in full voice ahead of kick-off.

The German fans in the stadium already appear to have their hands on the trophy, but will they be the happier of the two sets of supporters come the end of the night?