World Cup Final: Live Updates on Germany vs. Argentina

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Maracana stadium behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Image: Felipe Dana/Associated Press

By Sam Laird2014-07-13 18:26:22 UTC

This is it, baby: The 2014 World Cup final. Germany vs. Argentina from Rio de Janeiro's legendary Maracana stadium. Eternal glory awaits the winner; massive disappointment awaits the loser.

Can Germany complete what's felt since 2010 like an inevitable march toward its fourth World Cup title? Or can Lionel Messi enter the true pantheon of soccer greats by leading Argentina to victory? We'll find out once the match kicks off at 3 p.m. ET.

See also: How Argentina's Win Makes Brazil's World Cup Nightmare So Much Worse

Read our full match preview to get up to speed, then follow along, here, for live updates throughout the showdown. News, goals, GIFs, analysis — we've got it all.

Your World Cup final starting lineups

They're out! The biggest news: Angel di Maria, a key play-maker for Argentina, starts on the bench with an injured thigh that kept him out of the semifinal. A big blow for Argentina, but hopefully he'll be able to sub in later.

Pre-game reading: Odds and ends

Here are a few links from around the web to help you kill time before the final gets underway:

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  More than a billion people from around the world are expected to watch on TV, according to the BBC. So, you know, no pressure.

  
  


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  The World Cup runs on thousands of volunteers. But as the tournament winds down, many of them feel like they've been shafted by FIFA and World Cup organizers.

  
  


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  Remember Fred, the Brazilian striker fans love to hate? He just announced his retirement from the national team after a disastrous World Cup campaign.

  
  


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  Google has a predictably cute Google Doodle celebrating the World Cup as a whole.

  
  

BONUS: World Cup 2014 Highlights (Ultimate Cat Edition)

Topics: Entertainment, soccer, Sports, world cup