Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup after a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina at the Maracana in Brazil.
After 120 tension-filled minutes in Rio on Sunday, a goal from substitute Mario Gotze deep into the second period of added time proved decisive.
Gonzalo Higuain had earlier passed up a glorious chance midway though the first half and the Argentina striker also had an effort correctly ruled out for offside as the South Americans threatened an early lead.
Germany defender Benedikt Howedes then headed against the post on the stroke of the half-time interval, and after the break passions threatened to boil over in what was an understandably feisty encounter.
Argentina continued to create the best chances, most notably when Lionel Messi fired agonisingly wide shortly after the restart, while Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was lucky not to be punished for clattering a knee into Higuain's face as the striker ran through on goal.
But in the second half of extra time it was Bayern Munich man Gotze who struck with a goal worthy of winning the showpiece in the 113th minute - giving Germany a fourth World Cup in the process.