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.
Holders Spain, who first showed signs of vulnerability at the Maracana a year ago, were eliminated from the World Cup on Wednesday when a 2-0 Group B defeat by Chile at the same stadium ended one of the greatest dynasties of the modern game.
Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa stole the limelight with a series of blinding saves in the goalless draw with Brazil to boost hopes his team can advance to the knock-out stages.
Two alpacas, a kind of animal that is still mysterious to many Chinese, appeared at Sanlitun, Beijing, on Tuesday for a World Cup related business promotion. Their cute look attracted large crowds.
Looking back the World Cup history, besides wonderful goals, there are also some interesting own goals.
Croatia's coaches are urging their players to focus on facing Cameroon at the World Cup rather than lamenting the publication of photos showing some of them bathing nude at their training complex's swimming pool in Brazil.
After just one match each, Robin van Persie and Lionel Messi have already equaled their goal tallies from their previous two World Cups combined.
Cakes with the theme of the World Cup Football were sold at a store in east China's Jiangsu province.
An explosion hit a viewing center where a world cup match was being televised in Nigeria's northeastern state of Yobe on Tuesday night. Casualties remain unknown, local police said.
Alexander Kerzhakov scored with one of his first touches after coming on as a substitute to earn Russia a 1-1 draw with South Korea on Tuesday in a World Cup match marked by the first big goalkeeping error of the tournament.
A man wearing specially made clothes kicks football as if he is performing under a blitz of lightning at Heshang county, Changle city, East China's Fujian province.
Mathematicians have found 16 of the 32 teams with 23-man squads at the tournament in Brazil have players who share a birthday.
Sporting goods companies have ramped up ball production amid the global soccer competition.
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