World Cup Final: Germany v Argentina: Key matchups
The stage is set for the World Cup Final. Argentina and Germany lock horns at the Maracana to see who wins football's biggest prize, and a place in football history.
We take a look at some of the key player matchups that could decide the outcome of this match and the winner of the 2014 FIFA World Cup
Mats Hummels v Gonzalo Higuain
Hummels was suspended for Germany's second-round clash against Algeria and the influence of the Borussia Dortmund centre-back was missed in a match which went to extra-time.
Hummels helped fend off what lacklustre attacking threat Brazil offered in their semi-final capitulation, but will need to be on his guard against Higuain, whose instinctive finish to settle the second-round clash with Belgium showed he can be a potent threat.
Sami Khedira v Lionel Messi
Just like Holland in their semi-final, the Germans know nullifying the threat of Messi will be key. The Dutch sacrificed their quick attacking transition to stifle the Argentinian magician, who always still looked capable of finding a telling pass.
Real Madrid's Khedira certainly has the quality to do a man-marking job, but will also be all too aware of just what a talent he is up against having seen the Barcelona midfielder up close and personal in the Primera Division.
Thomas Muller v Martin Demichelis
Miroslav Klose may have grabbed the headlines with his landmark goal in the 7-1 demolition of Brazil, but it was the free-running Muller who the hosts failed to get a grip with during their nightmare opening half-hour.
Manchester City's veteran centre-back Demichelis shackled the threat of Robin van Persie well enough in the semi-final and will need another big performance to stop Bayern forward Muller adding to his five-goal tally as he hunts down Colombia hitman James Rodriguez for the World Cup's Golden Boot.
Toni Kroos v Argentina Javier Mascherano
Kroos was one of the outstanding players in Germany's 7-1 demolition of Brazil as he showed with the fourth goal when he dispossessed Fernandinho, played a one-two and scored into an empty net.
He is one of Germany's most creative players as he spreads passes around the midfield, a ruthless finisher and a physically imposing presence.
If he plays on the left of midfield again he may fall into Mascherano's sphere of influence, setting up one of the key battles in the match.
Mascherano has been outstanding for Argentina and played a key role in helping subdue Arjen Robben during the semi-final against Netherlands