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A 42-year-old architect from Italy is the man tasked with keeping the world's best players in check tonight.

Nicola Rizzoli has already refereed three matches at the 2014 World Cup - and he is a familiar face to the Argentina side. After taking charge of the group-stage game between Spain and the Netherlands, Rizzoli refereed Argentina's final Group F match against Nigeria and their quarter-final against Belgium.

The big stage is also something that Rizzoli is used to. He took control of the 2013 Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and the 2010 Europa League final between Atletico Madrid and Fulham.

Tonight he becomes the third Italian referee to officiate a World Cup final, following in the footsteps of Sergio Gonella in 1978 and Pierluigi Collina in 2002.

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand
MOTD analyst

"Earlier in the tournament Germany were doing enough to get through, but they have started commanding matches and dictating games in the latter stages.

"That extra rest day Germany have had since the semi-final will be huge. They will have done loads of things to make sure they are ready for this one game, the biggest game of their lives."

Former England striker Alan Shearer
MOTD analyst

"Germany are superbly organised with a record goalscorer up front and Thomas Muller is in the form of his life.

"Before the tournament, the talk around Argentina was of their fab four up front but it's been their back four and keeper who have been the heroes - they've kept four clean sheets, which tells its own story.

"It's been an incredible tournament.

"I suspect it'll be a cagey affair tonight. It could be a long evening. They are two very good but different teams. Messi has produced the goods for most of the time - it's the best team versus the best player."

Alan Hansen
MOTD analyst

"First of all, it's not a bad place to end [my BBC Match of the Day career]. This has been the best World Cup by a mile. It needed something after the last two or three which have been sub-standard. It's exceeded all expectations - goals, thrilling games. The knockout stages have seen heartache and euphoria."

This is Germany's eighth World Cup final - but it has been 24 years since they won it...

BBC Radio 5 live

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Independent chief football correspondent Sam Wallace: "The great absentees are Brazil but they don't deserve to be there. Germany are the best team in this tournament and Argentina have the best player in this tournament, so everything is set up for it to be a brilliant final.

"This Argentina team is far from perfect but they work well with what they have got. I think they are a good tournament side. They have found ways to win games and I have enjoyed watching them. There have been moments from Messi, his goal against Iran and the free kick against Nigeria.

"After Messi the team defers to Javier Mascherano, who was captain until Alejandro Sabella moved it to Messi. He doesn't just fill a role but has character and charisma on the pitch."

Tonight was the last time you'll be able to hear Stevie Wonder's Another Star on TV. But if you want to listen again to that track and the best of the music used in the BBC's World Cup coverage, check out this list from BBC Playlister., external

Mike Ingham
BBC Radio 5 live

"Germany have been a constant in my footballing memory, even before I started working as a broadcaster. There are stereotypes we associate with them such as efficiency and organisation but this team is so much more than that.

"In the games against England and Argentina in the 2010 World Cup, and against Portugal and Brazil in this, the aggregate score was 19-2. There is a core of this Germany team that would get into any team in the world - as well as any German team in history."

Mike Ingham, BBC Radio 5 live's chief football correspondent, will retire from his role after the final.

Ingham took over as the BBC's football correspondent in 1991 and has commentated on many of the sport's biggest moments, including eight World Cups.

He will continue to appear on the station, presenting a series of special football programmes. What a way to go out...

An hour away from kick-off.

Is this Lionel Messi's time to shine? Will Germany try to stop him from playing? Or trust their own game to be enough?

BBC Radio 5 live

South American football expert Tim Vickery: "There is an element of if not now then when for Argentina.

"This is a World Cup on their home continent, where the draw has been kind to them, both in terms of the climatic conditions of where the games have been played and their proximity to Argentina. They have one of the greatest players in the history of the game in Lionel Messi, who is theoretically at his peak.

"They won the World Youth Cup many times between 1999 and 2007 but that production line of talent seems to be slowing down. If they don't win it this time, in four years' time it will be a bit of a stretch."

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Former Argentina midfielder Ossie Ardilles, speaking to the BBC World Service World Football programme: "I believe that Germany are the best team in world, I have no doubt about that at all.

"The team that dominated world football over the past six years was Spain, and I think Germany are going to dominate in the future. However, Argentina have something unique in our team and that Lionel Messi.

"Of all the recent managers Argentina have had, Alejandro Sabella is the one who has got the best out of Messi. But it would take a very good performance to beat Germany."

Wherever you are in the world, we want you to share pictures of where you are watching the World Cup final, using #myworldcupseat, and the best may be included in our live text commentary.

The teams are in - and both teams are unchanged from their semi-final wins over Brazil and the Netherlands.

Germany: Neuer, Howedes, Hummels, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Klose, Muller, Lahm (c), Kroos, Boateng

Argentina: Romero, Garay, Zabaleta, Biglia, Perez, Higuain, Messi (c), Mascherano, Demichelis, Rojo, Lavezzi

Our TV coverage is under way. Join Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Alan Hansen - for the final time - now on BBC One and online.

Click on 'Live Coverage' above to watch while you read...

32 teams kicked-off the tournament in June. Now it is down to Argentina and Germany. Who do you think will win the World Cup?

Cast your vote via the voting section on this page. Voting will close at 19:20. Terms and conditions can be read here. The result will be revealed in this page before kick-off.

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BBC Sport Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty at the Maracana

"Shakira and Santana - and the deafening racket they provided - have left centre stage at the Maracana and the players are now waiting to get a look at the pitch.

"Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella wears a permanently worried expression but his team have not given him too many concerns throughout this World Cup and he has Lionel Messi to call on. One moment when his brow did unfurrow at his media briefing yesterday was when he was reminded that he has come a long way from Sheffield United and Bramall Lane to the World Cup Final in Rio."

Image source, AFP

You can see more of Lionel Messi's World Cup highlights by watching the video entitled 'Can Messi seal his place in history?' at the top of your page.

Just click on the Highlights tab.

BBC Radio 5 live

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Daily Telegraph football correspondent Henry Winter: "It's a reflection of the high standards we have of Lionel Messi that we are saying he has underperformed at this tournament.

"In Argentina's first four games he was voted man of the match and he scored some crucial goals. And if you look at how closely he has been marked in the knockout stages, on occasion he was on his own with four or five players around him. It is phenomenal, there is always someone close to him."

Earlier we asked you to rate Lionel Messi's performances at the World Cup out of 10.

Gary Lineker said he had been disappointed by the Argentina star at Brazil 2014 but the majority of you gave him a solid score.

Thousands voted and seven out of 10 came out on top with 38%, followed by six on 21.2% and 18.1% on eight. Five was next on 6.6%, then 9 and 10 tied on 3.8%.

Thank you for all your votes.