Argentina forward Lionel Messi did not deserve to win the World Cup "Golden Ball" as the tournament's best player, according to his compatriot and former great Diego Maradona.
A world-class Mario Goetze volley in extra time fired Germany to a fourth World Cup crown with a 1-0 victory over Argentina, leaving the South Americans and their captain Lionel Messi heartbroken.
Fifa awarded Lionel Messi the 'Golden Ball' as the top player of the World Cup after the Argentina captain led his side to the final at the Maracana where they lost to Germany 1-0 in extra time.
Another ragged defensive display by Brazil allowed the Netherlands to stroll to a 3-0 victory in the World Cup third-place playoff match as the hosts ended the tournament in depressing fashion.
It might not be the way Brazilians wanted the World Cup to end but the final between Argentina and Germany will provide a nerve-jangling climax to the best tournament in history - even though the goals that have lit it up may not flow.
Argentina beat the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties to reach the World Cup final after a dire two hours of defence-dominated football failed to provide a semi-final goal for the first time in the tournament's history.
Germany scored five goals in 18 astonishing first-half minutes on their way to a 7-1 semi-final mauling of Brazil which shattered the host nation's hopes of winning their sixth World Cup.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari picked winger Bernard to replace injured forward Neymar for their World Cup semi-final against Germany.
Substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul's penalty shootout heroics for the Netherlands against Costa Rica in the quarter-final have not convinced coach Louis van Gaal to promote him to the starting lineup for the World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
Argentina face a tough task to get past a Netherlands team who do almost everything perfectly and given space can be lethal, midfielder Javier Mascherano said on the eve of their World Cup semi-final clash.
Napoli have backed their Colombia defender Juan Zuniga over his challenge on Neymar that forced the Brazil forward out of the World Cup with a fractured bone in his back.
Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga will not be punished for the tackle on Neymar that left the Brazil striker with a broken bone in his back and forced him out of the rest of the World Cup.
Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul was back defending himself, less than 24 hours after making two stunning penalty saves against Costa Rica to book his team's place in the World Cup semi-finals.
The Netherlands advanced to a World Cup semi-final with Argentina by beating Costa Rica on penalties after a cagey, tactical last-eight battle finished 0-0 after extra-time. Substitute...
Gonzalo Higuain's superb early strike secured a nervy 1-0 win for Argentina against Belgium and sent the South Americans through to the last four of the World Cup for the first time in 24 years on.
Brazil forward Neymar has been ruled out of the World Cup after fracturing his vertebrae in the closing stages of the 2-1 quarter-final win over Colombia, his team says.
A stunning second-half free kick from Brazil's David Luiz sealed a 2-1 win over Colombia in a frantic World Cup quarter-final, keeping the hosts on track for a sixth world title.
An early Mats Hummels header proved enough for Germany to beat France 1-0 in a tense, error-strewn and largely uninspiring World Cup quarter-final at the Maracana.
Eight teams remain. Eight teams dream of the greatest glory in sport. Sports editor Hayden Meikle breaks down the World Cup quarterfinals.
Ghana's football association has defended its decision to charter a plane to carry $US3 million in bonus money to players in Brazil, saying the country had done the same at the last two World Cups.
