GERMANY have won the World Cup for the first time since 1990 with a 1-0 injury time victory over Argentina in Rio de Janeiro.

Both sides had chances to win an absorbing final, but the game was settled by an outstanding goal from Germany’s super sub striker Mario Gotze in injury time.

The match was at times ill-tempered, particularly after midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger was left bloodied in a challenge with Sergio Aguero, and appeared to be heading for penalties.

But with just seven minutes to go, the Bavarian striker chested down Andre Schurrle's cross and volleyed home to cap a historic victory in the world famous Maracana stadium and win Germany their fourth World Cup.

Tens of thousands of Argentinians had flooded into Rio hoping to see superstar Lionel Messi inspire his team to victory, but it was the young and talented Germany team who took the title, avenging their 1986 final defeat to the South Americans.

The victory gave the Germans a double slice of history – the first European team to win a World Cup on South American soil and the first since reunification in 1990.