In a tournament full of substitute goals, Götze came on in the 88th minute for World Cup all-time top goalscorer Miroslav Klose.

Götze's sumptuous volley after controlling a plum cross from fellow sub André Schürrle on his chest, sent Germany into ecstasy.

It came in the 113th minute, and left Argentina too much to do with too little time left on the clock.

"I told Gotze at the break in halftime at extra time: 'show you are better than Messi, show you are a better player than him and can win a World Cup'", said Löw, who has been German manager for eight years.

'He did that.

"Gotze is a miracle boy.

"He can decide matches, he can do anything."

Germany's triumph is their first as a unified nation, and their fourth in total - putting them one behind Brazil.

Rio de Janerio's Maracanã played host to a wide open contest, particularly in the first half, marked by a handful of great chances for Argentina to take the lead.

Gonzalo Higuain was one-on-one with the goalkeeper but scuffed his effort wide.

Lionel Messi, who became increasingly quiet as the contest went on, also missed the target after breaking away, while Jerome Boateng cleared the ball from the goal-line after the four-time Ballon d'Or winner pulled the ball back into the box for his team mates.

An increasingly off-colour Lionel Messi failed to prove the match winner for his Argentina side ©FIFA via Getty Images



But the best chance came for Germany from a corner kick in first half injury time when Benedikt Howedes hit the post.

The game was tighter in the second half and without any goals, extra-time beckoned.

Within seconds of the first 15 minutes of extra-time, Schürrle forced a save from Sergio Romero after launching the ball towards goal from the centre of the box.

As penalty kicks became ever more likely, Germany, just like Spain four years ago, scored a winner minutes from the end.

A Messi free kick right at the death was sent sky-high, summing up a performance from the Argentinian captain which was, except for flashes, far from his best.

He would be presented with the Golden Ball, surprisingly, before the Germans, embraced by Chancellor Angela Merkel, collected their medals and the trophy.

German captain Philipp Lahm hailed the team ethic which paved the way for World Cup glory in Brazil ©VI-Images via Getty Images



Captain Philipp Lahm said: 'Whether we have the best individual players or whatever does not matter, you have to have the best team.

"We stepped up time and again in the tournament, we did not let ourselves get distracted by any disruption, went on our way.

"And at the end you stand there as world champions - an unbelievable feeling.

"The team has remained quiet and patient."

Germany were runners-up to Brazil in the 2002 final and came third as hosts in 2006 and in South Africa 2010.

Their last World Cup triumph, in 1990, was also a 1-0 win over Germany.

Six of the starting 11 for Germany in yesterday's final played in the final of the 2009 European Under-21 Championship, which they won after beating England 4-0.