Player ratings

GERMANY

MANUEL NEUER 7.5

Made one vital charge off his line to deny Higuain in the second half, but mostly untroubled.

PHILIPP LAHM 9

Great finesse in defence. A complete captain’s performance capped by lifting the trophy.

JEROME BOATENG 8

The Bayern Munich defender was awake to the danger of Messi when he needed to be.

MATS HUMMELS 6

Had rings run around him early on by Messi and Lavezzi, but despite a knee injury, regained control.

BENEDIKT HOWEDES 6

Did the job, but nothing spectacular.

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER 8.5

Ran the show from his deep-lying midfield position, and looked assured throughout.

THOMAS MULLER 7

Denied a lot of space by Pablo Zabaleta, but still did everything his coach asked.

CHRISTOPH KRAMER 6

Kramer, a late replacement for Sami Khedira, was having a lively game before he suffered concussion.

TONI KROOS 6

Far from his best, awful headed back-pass was not exploited by Argentina.

MESUT OZIL 7

Found some good spaces and showed slick footwork, but nowhere near a player of his ability.

MIROSLAV KLOSE 6

By his standards, the veteran had one good chance and fluffed it. Was not 100% on his game.

Substitutes:

ANDRE SCHURRLE 8

Kept Argentina’s defence on their toes and provided the assist for Gotze’s goal.

MARIO GOTZE 7

Had the game of his life with the strike that sealed Germany’s victory.

PER MERTESACKER 5

Did what he was told. Came in at the last minute, and headed a ball.

ARGENTINA

SERGIO ROMERO 7

Powerless to prevent Gotze from scoring the winner. Victim of a tiring defence.

PABLO ZABALETA 8

Worked tirelessly. A constant blur of activity, his performance deserved more.

MARTIN DEMICHELIS 6

Man-marked Klose well, snuffing out the German dangerman.

EZEQUIEL GARAY 7

Knocked Kramer out of the game in the first half, but was mostly solid at the back.

MARCOS ROJO 7

Was busy with Lahm and Muller, which restricted him from launching attacks.

ENZO PEREZ 6

Playing wide left, he was used as the forward motion to try to counterbalance Muller and Lahm.

JAVIER MASCHERANO 8.5

Combative and lively in the heart of the midfield. Exerted more influence on the team than Messi did.

LUCAS BIGLIA 7

Midfield partner for Mascherano and kept the German midfield in check with his workrate.

EZEQUIEL LAVEZZI 7

Subbed at half-time despite a livey first-half where his pace troubled Germany.

LIONEL MESSI 6

Only showed flashes of his genius, but did not deliver the goods when immortality beckoned.

GONZALO HIGUAIN 5

Missed Argentina’s best chance in the first half, and looked off-form before being replaced.

Substitutes:

SERGIO AGUERO 6

Fatigue and injuries contributed to his lacklustre performance.

RODRIGO PALACIO 6

Did well in supporting Messi and Aguero in attack, but was kept in check by the German defence.

FERNANDO GAGO 5

Failed to make much of an impact as a late substitute for the industrious Perez.