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Mario Gotze writes his name in history to spark German celebrations along with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
It took 113 minutes, a wave of substitutions and the advantage of fresh legs v tired legs, but Mario Gotze delivered the extra-time winner to see Germany finally deliver on their promise and clinch a fourth World Cup in their history.
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014Show all 15 1 /15In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German fans celebrating in Berlin, Germany German soccer fans react after the deciding goal for Germany in the final of the Brazil World Cup 2014 between Germany and Argentina played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at a public viewing area called 'Fan Mile' in Berlin
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German fans celebrating in Melbourne, Australia German fans at Hophaus celebrate the winning goal while watching the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final match between Germany and Argentina in Melbourne, Australia
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German fans celebrating in Hamburg, Germany German fans celebrate as they drive along the 'Reeperbahn' red light district in Hamburg after Germany won the World Cup soccer final against Argentina
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German fans celebrating in Berlin, Germany German fans celebrate during a firework after an outdoor screening near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German fans celebrating in Berlin, Germany German fans celebrate at an outdoor screening near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German fans celebrating in Frankfurt, Germany German soccer fans celebrate after the World Cup final between Germany and Argentina in downtown Frankfurt, Germany
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German fans celebrating in Berlin, Germany A German fan celebrates with vuvuzelas on the Kufuerstendamm avenue in Berlin
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German fans celebrating in Berlin, Germany More than 200,000 Germany fans thronged in central Berlin for the World Cup final, turning an avenue behind the Brandenburg Gate into a sea of black, red and gold flags
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German Chancellor Angela Merkel and German President Joachim Gauck German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and German President Joachim Gauck (R) react during the FIFA World Cup 2014 final between Germany and Argentina at the Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German team with the trophy Germany's Shkodran Mustafi lifts the trophy amid his teammates after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 Mario Goetze and his girl friend Ann-Kathrin Broemmel Germany's Mario Goetze and his girl friend Ann-Kathrin Broemmel, as they hold the trophy during the party of the German soccer federation after Germany beat Argentina 1-0 after extra-time in the soccer World Cup final to win its fourth title in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 Lukas Podolski with his son Germany's Lukas Podolski carries his son Louis Gabriel after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German Chancellor Angela Merkel hugs Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer German Chancellor Angela Merkel hugs Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer following their 1-0 victory over Argentina after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 Germany's head coach Joachim Loew Germany's head coach Joachim Loew celebrates after the final whistle of the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In pictures: Germany celebrates after winning World Cup 2014 German team with the trophy Germany's Thomas Mueller (R) lifts the trophy beside his teammates after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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