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SWC final player ratings

Rio de Janeiro - Player ratings from Germany's 1-0 win over Argentina in the Soccer World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

As it happened: Germany v Argentina

GERMANY

Manuel Neuer - 8

Another world-class display from arguably the best goalkeeper at the World Cup. He repeatedly thwarted the Argentinian attack but was beaten by Gonzalo Higuain's first-half offside goal.

Philipp Lahm - 8

Germany's captain has few peers at right-back and again roamed the flanks, firing in numerous crosses and put in a superb through first-half through pass for Thomas Mueller.

Mats Hummels - 7

Showed up for pace a few times in the first-half by the Argentinian attack, but constantly snuffed out the opponents forages into the German half. Has been one of die Mannschaft's outstanding successes at the World Cup.

Jerome Boateng - 7

Nothing fancy from the Berlin-born Boateng, but the Bayern Munich defender made sure Lionel Messi stayed off the scoresheet and did all that was asked of him.

Benedikt Hoewedes - 7

The centre-back has played the entire World Cup out of position at left-back and was solid again in the final, but received a needless yellow card for a first-half foul on Argentina's Pablo Zabaleta when he caught the right-back on the knee.

Bastian Schweinsteiger - 9

Germany's midfield general took a pounding in extra time, but shaded the battle with Argentina's middle of the park boss Javier Mascherano and was unlucky to be booked on 29 minutes after a slight touch on Ezequiel Lavezzi

Christoph Kramer - 6

Having come in at the 11th-hour for Sami Khedira to win only his fifth cap, the 23-year-old took Ezequiel Garay's shoulder in the jaw in the 17th minute and was helped off in a daze in the 31st minute. He managed some nice touches before the blow.

Thomas Muller - 7

Swung in several crosses, battled the Argentine defence in the area, but could not quite time his famous runs into the box to utilise the few chances which came Germany's way to add to his haul of five goals at Brazil 2014.

Toni Kroos - 7

Had to drop back into the defensive midfield in the reshuffle after Sami Khedira was ruled out and struggled to shine as he did in the 7-1 semi-final drubbing of Brazil, but kept the pressure on Argentina in extra-time.

Mesut Ozil - 6

Another quiet display with a few touches and from the Arsenal midfielder who failed to recapture his dazzling 2010 form at the Brazil World Cup despite playing all seven of Germany's matches.

Miroslav Klose - 7

The World Cup's all-time top-scorer had only half chances and struggled to make ground against the Argentina defence, but was given a standing ovation when he came off after 88 minutes on his 23rd appearance at World Cup finals.

Substitutes

Andre Schuerrle - 8

Kramer's misfortune was Schuerrle's game as the Chelsea winger came on after just 31 minutes to provide the cross for Goetze's winning goal. Had several clear chances including a sitter right at the start of extra-time.

Mario Gotze - 9

Came on for Klose just before the start of extra-time and his superb chest and volley turned the diminutive Bayern Munich star into a World Cup winner.

ARGENTINA

Sergio Romero - 7

Extended his run without conceding a goal to 486 minutes before finally being beaten by Goetze and made two fine saves from Schuerrle in the process.

Marcos Rojo - 7

Composed left-back dealt relatively well with the dual threat of Mueller and Lahm down Germany's right to round off a fine tournament from the 24-year-old.

Martin Demichelis - 7

Manchester City defender won the battle of the veterans with Klose and brought an air of calm to the Argentine backline when in possession, although he did have to be rescued by Javier Mascherano after one sloppy pass.

Ezequiel Garay - 7

Continued his excellent tournament by keeping Klose and Mueller quiet, although lucky to get away with heavy challenge on Kramer that left German midfielder groggy and eventually having to be substituted.

Pablo Zabaleta - 6

One of Argentina's most consistent performers throughout the World Cup, but will be disappointed with the manner in which the winning goal arrived down his side of the field.

Javier Mascherano - 9

Led the side brilliantly again, sheltering his defence from Germany's creative midfielders and even covering in behind Garay and Demichelis on the rare occasions they were caught out of position. Got a yellow card after chopping down Klose.

Lucas Biglia - 6

Partnered Mascherano nobly in midfield and battled on through extra time despite suffering cramp towards the end of the 90 minutes

Enzo Perez - 6

Without the dynamism normally offered by the injured Angel di Maria, Perez worked hard to protect his full-backs and he switched between left and right wings without proving a potent threat in attack.

Ezequiel Lavezzi - 7

Showed great energy in running at the German defence in the first-half in particular with his fine run and cross for Gonzalo Higuain's goal that was ruled offside. Surprisingly, the Paris St Germain forward was replaced at half-time by Sergio Aguero.

Lionel Messi - 6

Was allowed more space than in Argentina's run to the final and exploited it in spells, most notably at the start of the second-half when his shot on his rusty left foot went narrowly wide. However, he tired badly in extra time and a free-kick in stoppage time that sailed into the stands summed up his evening.

Gonzalo Higuain - 5

Higuain will have nightmares after horribly pulling his shot wide when played in by Toni Kross' wayward header midway through the first-half. The Napoli striker's evening did not improve as he saw a goal ruled offside and was also controversially not awarded a penalty when being clattered by Neuer early in the second-half.

Substitutes

Sergio Aguero - 6

Started brightly after replacing Lavezzi at half-time, but despite threatening to get in behind the German defence on various occasions, the Manchester City man was kept in check by Boateng and Hummels.

Rodrigo Palacio - 5

Missed a glorious chance to put his side in front five minutes into extra-time when he chipped wide and also wasted another couple of opportunities to release teammates in space on the counter-attack.

Fernando Gago - 5

Was unable to impose his influence on the game as Germany bossed possession after his introduction towards the end of normal time.

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