German players celebrate their 1-0 World Cup victory in extra time during the final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 13, 2014.

 

This was it, baby: The 2014 World Cup final. Germany vs. Argentina from Rio de Janeiro's legendary Maracana stadium. Eternal glory awaiting the winner; massive disappointment awaiting the loser.

Would Germany complete what's felt since 2010 like an inevitable march toward its fourth World Cup title? Or would Lionel Messi enter the true pantheon of soccer greats by leading Argentina to victory?

Tied after 105 minutes, Germany used a late, late goal from substitute Mario Götze in the second half of extra time to secure its fourth World Cup title in most dramatic fashion.

News, goals, GIFs, analysis — we've got it all in our live post here. Read on in reverse chronological order to relive a hard-fought final that did a thrilling World Cup justice.

And that it's: Germany wins on a 1-0 final to take its fourth World Cup title. Congratulations to Germany, deserving champions indeed.

Condolences to Argentina and Messi, who took La Albiceleste farther than he ever had before but fell just short at the end.

 

The struggle continues. After the first 15 minutes of extra time passed relatively uneventfully, things are still knotted at 0-0 at the Maracana. Players seem to be tiring — understandably so, of course — so it looks like this thing juuust might be decided by penalties.

Still 15 minutes left to prove that theory wrong, however. Let's see what the soccer gods have in store.
 

Destined for extra time?

In the 86th minute, we've still got no score, although Argentina just dodged a bullet in a scramble near its goal. Messi also went goal-hunting with this strong left foot in the 75th minute, but was well wide of the net.

Higuain was called for a foul even though it certainly looked like a reckless play by Neuer, and one you imagine he could have been booked for. Meanwhile, ESPN got this money shot of Rio's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in front of the setting sun.