Summary

  • Germany face Argentina in World Cup final (20:00 BST)

  • Live uninterrupted coverage on BBC One and Radio 5 live from 19:00 BST

  • Reaction to Netherlands' 3-0 win over Brazil in third-place play-off

  • Latest transfer news and breaking stories

  • GET INVOLVED: Who is going to win the World Cup?

  1. Robben laughs off Man Utd linkpublished at 13:13 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Louis van Gaal and Arjen RobbenImage source, Getty Images

    Netherlands striker Arjen Robben tells Dutch television station NOS he will stay with Bayern Munich rather than follow coach Louis van Gaal to Manchester United.

    "I have a special bond with him," Robben says. "He is the most important coach in my career. After the match he did ask me to come to Manchester."

    It's not clear how serious Van Gaal was when he made the offer, although Robben laughs: "It is not an option. I will stay at Bayern Munich."

  2. The World Cup finalspublished at 13:07 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Johan Cruyff and Uli HoenessImage source, Getty Images

    There was a dramatic start to the 1974 World Cup final in Munich - with an Englishman at the centre of it. Referee Jack Taylor awarded the Netherlands a penalty in the first minute when Uli Hoeness brought down Johan Cruyff. Johan Neeskens converted it.

    Taylor then awarded a penalty at the other end for a foul by Wim Jansen on Bernd Holzenbein. Paul Breitner equalised, before a clever shot on the turn by Gerd Muller won the cup for West Germany. It was Muller's 14th World Cup finals goal - a record that stood until a Brazilian called Ronaldo came along. But more on him later.

    Throughout the day, Sportsday will be looking back at World Cup finals from the past.

  3. Ten out of tenpublished at 12:57 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    CopacabanaImage source, Chris Hurst

    BBC Sport's Chris Hurst in Rio de Janeiro: There are thousands of Argentina fans around Copacabana this morning, and if they have a number on their back, it is likely to be a 10.

  4. Searching for good signspublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Never mind psychic octopodes, tigers or sloths - what do the fans in Germany and Argentina think will happen tonight?

    Analysis of Google+ activity to determine the prevailing national sentiment in both countries is as follows:

    Germans are feeling 'optimistic': 44% positive, 31% neutral, 25% negative

    Argentines are feeling 'confident': 50% positive, 33% neutral, 17% negative

    Maybe a slight advantage to Argentina there?

  5. The World Cup finalspublished at 12:49 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    PeleImage source, AP

    Brazil won the World Cup for the third time in 1970 - and for many, their victory in Mexico was the definitive triumph.

    Pele's majestic header was Brazil's 100th World Cup goal - and although Roberto Boninsegna equalised, Italy were ultimately no match for their opponents. Jairzinho became the first player to score in every one of his team's World Cup finals matches, before Carlos Alberto finished a wonderful team goal.

    Throughout the day, Sportsday will be looking back at World Cup finals from the past.

  6. Who are you cheering on tonight - and why?published at 12:40 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Nathan:, external Germany are representing our continent in South America, so I want them to win.

    Simon Beasley:, external I'll win a £60 sweep stake for Argentina and I've put a £30 bet on Germany - I'm a winner either way!

    Kabenuka Munthali:, external I own a German Shepherd, I drive a German vehicle (Mercedes) and I am a Messi fan. So that's 2-1 in favour of Germany.

    Can your German shepherd predict football scores, though?

  7. A World Cup in search of a psychic creaturepublished at 12:39 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Bob the slothImage source, AP

    Pride of place, though, surely has to go to Bob the sloth from Toronto, who can make his predictions while hanging upside down. Bob's gone for Germany to win tonight, although it's unclear whether he will stay up to watch the final.

  8. A World Cup in search of a psychic creaturepublished at 12:35 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Khan the TigerImage source, Reuters

    A special mention too for Khan, the three-year-old Bengali tiger, pictured here trying to guess whether Russia would beat Algeria in their final World Cup Group H match. Khan - who lives in a Russian zoo - predicted that they would. But the match ended in a draw and Russia were eliminated. So the tiger got it wrong, but at least he wasn't being paid as much as Fabio Capello.

  9. A World Cup in search of a psychic creaturepublished at 12:28 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    YaluImage source, Reuters

    Then there's Yalu the elephant, who lives in a Chinese zoo, and has been asked to predict which team will win tonight's World Cup final. Yalu's method is an elaborate one, consisting of flags and carrots.

  10. A World Cup in search of a psychic creaturepublished at 12:21 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Nasar the horseImage source, Getty Images

    There have been plenty of attempts to find a successor to Paul this summer. For instance, who can forget Nasar, the psychic Arabian horse? Here's Nasar, asked to forecast who would win the Group G match between Germany and the United States by booting a ball into the appropriate goal.

  11. A World Cup in search of a psychic creaturepublished at 12:16 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Paul the OctopusImage source, Getty Images

    Fair point, Jason - but one this World Cup has really missed, more than anything else, is a worthy successor to Paul the Psychic Octopus.

    Remember Paul? He correctly predicted the outcome of eight matches at the 2010 World Cup, gaining international fame and a Wikipedia entry running to several thousand words.

  12. Postpublished at 12:11 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    BBC Radio 5 live

    Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts on BBC Radio 5 live: "I've enjoyed this more than any other World Cup, but nobody's really got me out of my seat. Everyone's been at the same level, and it's made for an exciting World Cup."

  13. The World Cup finalspublished at 12:01 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Geoff HurstImage source, Getty Images

    The greatest moment in English football history came on 30 July, 1966 - a sunny Saturday afternoon in London.

    England's 4-2 victory over West Germany was also, for so many reasons, among the most memorable of World Cup finals. The Germans led and then trailed in a seesaw match, forcing extra-time when Wolfgang Weber scored in the last few seconds.

    Geoff Hurst remains the only player to have scored a World Cup final hat-trick - but should his second goal have counted? His shot thundered down off the crossbar and was ruled to have gone over the line by Soviet linesman Tofik Bakhramov. Hurst completed his hat-trick in the final seconds, accompanied by Kenneth Wolstenholme's famous piece of BBC TV commentary:

    "And here comes Hurst, he's got... Some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over - it is now!"

    Throughout the day, Sportsday will be looking back at World Cup finals from the past.

  14. Christ the Redeemer - staying neutralpublished at 11:58 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Christ the RedeemerImage source, Getty Images

    The Christ the Redeemer statue, which stands above Rio de Janeiro, has remained steadfastly neutral before tonight's World Cup final - as it has been illuminated in the colours of both Germany and Argentina.

  15. Argentina fans arrive in their drovespublished at 11:49 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Phil McNulty
    BBC chief football writer in Brazil

    Argentina fansImage source, Getty Images

    "Sunshine over Copacabana on World Cup final day - and already a huge Argentine contingent along stretches of Avenida Atlantica that runs parallel to the beach.

    "Coaches are pulling up alongside the beach and many fans clearly decided to get here early and sleep overnight in their cars. Wardens are attempting to move some along but it would appear this is currently a thankless task."

  16. Germany or Argentina?published at 11:40 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    BBC World Service reporter John Bennett in Brazil:, external Before the World Cup, I said Argentina would win it. After watching Germany beat France, I changed my mind and went for Germany. Today? Sticking with Germany.

    OK John, we'll hold you to that.

  17. Who are you cheering on tonight - and why?published at 11:33 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    James:, external There's £150 waiting at work for me if Germany win; don't let me down lads - I'm going on holiday next week.

    Hugh in France:, external The Germans used up all their goal karma on Brazil. They won't score tonight.

    Rashid Jamil:, external Here's wishing best of luck to Germany for today's final which I will not be able to watch as going out for my birthday dinner.

    From all of us at Sportsday, Rashid, have a happy birthday - and enjoy your dinner.

  18. Germany calm before final - Schweinsteigerpublished at 11:28 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    Germany's Thomas Muller, Mats Hummels and Bastian SchweinsteigerImage source, Getty Images

    Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger insists his team-mates are relaxed about tonight's final with Argentina in Rio.

    "There is huge anticipation here and in Germany," says the Bayern Munich midfielder.

    "We have no pressure. We know how to handle things. We just have to concentrate on our jobs and what makes us strong. We have to be calm and have clear heads focused on the football."

  19. The World Cup finalspublished at 11:26 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    MauroImage source, Getty Images

    Brazil had to overcome a degree of adversity to retain the World Cup in Chile in 1962. Pele was ruled out of the tournament after picking up an injury in the second game, while midfielder Garrincha faced a ban after being sent off in the semi-final.

    Fifa reprieved him, though, and the midfielder helped Brazil come from a goal down to beat Czechoslovakia in Santiago - thanks to goals from Amarildo, Zito and Vava, and a couple of bad errors by Czech keeper Viliam Scrojf.

    Throughout the day, Sportsday will be looking back at World Cup finals from the past.

  20. Youth investment the key - Magathpublished at 11:20 British Summer Time 13 July 2014

    BBC Radio 5 live
    Sportsweek

    GermanyImage source, Getty Images

    Fulham manager Felix Magath, who played for West Germany in the 1982 and 1986 World Cup finals, believes his national team have benefited from youth investment and a competitive domestic league.

    He tells BBC Radio 5 live: "In recent years, the German football association has invested more in youth teams, so we have a lot of good players. The Bundesliga is a tough league, and so you have to be fit. And the Germans do a good job in preparing players for tournaments. At the end of a major tournament, they have enough power to win."