Image source, Getty Images

The quickest goal in World Cup finals history was scored in a third-place play-off.

Turkey's Hakan Sukur set the record when he scored after 10.8 seconds of his team's 3-2 win over co-hosts South Korea in Daegu in 2002.

We've been asking for your views on who deserves to win the Golden Ball. Get in touch by texting 81111 (UK users only) or on Twitter using #bbcworldcup

Leo Haider:, external If Muller gets one tomorrow for Germany, then it's very hard to see past him. Jimmy Rodriguez has been brilliant though!

John Nicol:, external Thomas Muller deserves Golden Ball whether or not he scores in final to be Golden Boot winner. The star man in a special team.

Dan Marshall:, external Has to be Muller he's been great all world cup and is selfless with his workrate. Talent + workrate = best player.

Image source, Marcos Rojo/Instagram

Ahead of the biggest match of his career, Argentina's Marcos Rojo has enjoyed a bit of down time with team-mates Augusto Fernández and Fede Fernandez - and has posted this picture on Instagram to prove it.

Here's a handful of random facts from the World Cup picked out by Reuters:

0 - Yellow cards shown for diving

2.69 - Average goals per match after 62 of 64 games, up from a final tally of 2.27 in South Africa four years ago but far below the record of 5.38 in Switzerland in 1954

8 - German goalscorers at the finals, twice as many as Argentina

10 - Red cards, fewer than any other World Cup since 1986 (8) and down from the record 28 shown at Germany 2006

28 - Tackles Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano has made, more than any other player

172 - Yellow cards in 62 of 64 matches, down from a peak of 307 at Germany 2006

Think tonight's third-place play-off final is a waste of time? Don't be so dismissive - the chances are there could be a few goals.

The last six third-place play-offs have produced 24 goals. By contrast, the last six World Cup finals have seen only nine goals scored.

BBC Radio 5 live

Former Republic of Ireland international Mark Lawrenson doesn't think tomorrow's World Cup final will be a goalfest.

He tells BBC Radio 5 live: "I do think Argentina will sit back against Germany. I think we'll go to extra-time and penalties. Why would Argentina want to come out? They'll sit in tomorrow."

Sandra Restrepo:, external James Rodriguez has displayed the best skills and talent of this World Cup. Clearly the best for the Golden Ball.

Lazar:, external I'm not voting for someone who didn't make the semis.

Yash Sharma:, external Either Muller or Rodriguez for me.

Who is your World Cup star performer?

The folk back home apparently realise Javier Mascherano's value. According to Google, Lionel Messi is the most searched for player in the UK, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Italy and USA. In Argentina, however, Mascherano's name tops the list.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone said that while captain Lionel Messi remains the star in the Argentine line-up, Javier Mascherano also has a vital role to play.

Simeone told Goal.com: "In the semi-final, Mascherano told Romero that he was going to become a hero. That doesn't surprise me.

"He may not be the captain, but leaders don't need an armband to mark their leadership and Mascherano has shown that wherever he has played - that human strength and the kind of player he is."

Image source, Getty Images

Diego Forlan's largely difficult time with Manchester United was a blip in a career that has flourished at club and international level. A prolific striker during his seven years in Spain with Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, Forlan also starred for Uruguay as they finished fourth at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

While team-mate Luis Suarez oscillated between straightforward hero and pantomime villain - scoring a stunning winner against South Korea in the last 16 and then handling on the line in what proved a successful attempt to deny Ghana victory in the quarter-finals - Forlan provided consistency with a touch of quality.

His free-kick equaliser against Ghana proved crucial in a match Uruguay went on to win on penalties, and further long-range strikers followed in the emi-final against the Netherlands and the third-place play-off against Germany - the latter of which was voted goal of the tournament.

At 35, Forlan was included in Uruguay's 2014 World Cup squad, featuring in the 2-0 defeat against Colombia in the last 16.

Fifa has awarded the Golden Ball to the best player at each World Cup since 1930. As we ask you to nominate your player of the tournament, BBC Sport looks back at the past winners of the award.

Former Argentina midfielder Diego Simeone believes countrymen will win their first World Cup since 1986 if they can exploit a flaw in Germany's armour.

Simeone told Goal.com:, external "Germany play with a high line and the speed of Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain could be crucial in breaking through.

"The Germans will need to be very attentive to those two in particular, and to Angel Di Maria if he is fit, and to Sergio Aguero.

"With Germany defending almost beyond the halfway line, that means there is plenty of space to be exploited and it's where Argentina can perhaps find the key to breaking through the German offside trap."

BBC Radio 5 live

Radio commentary of Sunday's World Cup final will be on BBC 5 live, where another illustrious broadcasting career will come to an end.

Chief football correspondent Mike Ingham will retire after commentating on the match between Germany and Argentina, which kicks off at 21:00 BST.

Image source, Getty Images

Zinedine Zidane had stolen Ronaldo's thunder in the 1998 World Cup final. While the Brazilian had been tipped to lead his country to the trophy, it was the brilliant Frenchman would made the difference in the final with two headed goals in a 3-0 victory.

Zidane's star kept on rising, as he helped France win Euro 2000, then scored a stunning winner as Real Madrid beat Bayer Leverkusen to lift the Champions League trophy at Hampden Park in 2002.

France failed miserably at that summer's World Cup, but were finalists again in Germany four years later, with Zidane their star player. Having announced he would retire as a player at the end of the tournament, the playmaker bowed out in explosive fashion - sent off after headbutting Marco Materazzi in extra-time, before opponents Italy won on penalties. It was an astonishing end to a remarkable career.

Fifa has awarded the Golden Ball to the best player at each World Cup since 1930. As we ask you to nominate your player of the tournament, BBC Sport looks back at the past winners of the award.

A reminder that Sunday's World Cup final will be live and uninterrupted on BBC One from 19:00 BST.

It will be a special occasion for BBC Sport's Alan Hansen, as he makes his final appearance as a pundit after 22 years.

Catch the documentary, Alan Hansen: Player and Pundit, on iPlayer.

Dan Roan
BBC Sport in Brazil

Image source, @danroan

On Twitter:, external "'And he still wants to stay...Selecao devalued', rages O Globo. Brazil media want Scolari out - they'll get their wish."

Mrwriterman:, external Another reason for James Rodriguez to get the vote - stepping up to fill the void left by his country's best player, Falcao.

Mr John Doe:, external James Rodriguez should win. He has been the best player of the tournament by far.

Matthew:, external Messi, Müller or Mascherno.

Who should win the Golden Ball award for the best player at the World Cup?

Image source, Getty Images

Germany arrived at the 2002 World Cup with low expectations. They had lost a qualifier for only the second time in their history - losing 5-1 at home to England - and had been forced into a play-off with Ukraine to make the finals in Japan and South Korea.

Oliver Kahn was instrumental in their surprise progress at the finals. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper conceded only once in six matches as Germany edged to the final against Brazil in Yokohama on the back of three successive 1-0 wins in the knockout stages.

Unfortunately for Kahn, he had a final to forget. He played with torn ligaments in one of his fingers, and his performance suffered as he fumbled a Rivaldo shot to allow Ronaldo to score the first of two goals in a 2-0 Brazil win. Ronaldo put his frustrations of 1998 behind him to finish as the 2002 tournament's top scorer with eight goals. For Kahn, the Golden Ball was a small consolation.

Fifa has awarded the Golden Ball to the best player at each World Cup since 1930. As we ask you to nominate your player of the tournament, BBC Sport looks back at the past winners of the award.

Image source, De Telegraaf

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf says the Netherlands are ready to 'pop again' ahead of Saturday's third-placed play-off against Argentina.

Image source, Lance!

Brazilian sports newspaper Lance! seems to be suggesting David Luiz will start tonight's match, despite his error-strewn display in the semi-final.

The headline, roughly translated, reads: 'The wig is in'

Image source, Getty Images

An unused squad player when Brazil won the World Cup in 1994, Ronaldo had emerged as his national side's star by France 98.

The Inter Milan striker scored the first four of his 15 World Cup goals during the tournament, the first steps towards setting a record that would stand until Germany's Miroslav Klose passed it during this summer's finals.

Ronaldo shone as Brazil finished top of their group, then beat Chile, Denmark and the Netherlands en route to the final - but his tournament ended with unwanted drama. He suffered a fit the night before the final, against hosts France, and was initially left out of the team - only to be reinstated shortly before kick-off.

The striker's performance was muted as France won 3-0 - and Ronaldo would have to wait another four years to become a World Cup hero.

Fifa has awarded the Golden Ball to the best player at each World Cup since 1930. As we ask you to nominate your player of the tournament, BBC Sport looks back at the past winners of the award.