Leo Messi, Javier Mascherano, Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose start the World Cup Final between Germany and Argentina, but Angel Di Maria does not.

It kicks off at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

Leo Messi, Javier Mascherano, Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose start the World Cup Final between Germany and Argentina, but Angel Di Maria does not.

It kicks off at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

History will be made either way, as Argentina can win their third edition and Germany can become the first European team to win the World Cup on South American soil.

It would also be the first victory for Germany since they became a united country, as their last success was as West Germany in 1990. That was also the last time Argentina were in a World Cup Final, losing 1-0.

The big doubt for Argentina was around Angel Di Maria, who hobbled off with a right thigh strain just 30 minutes into the quarter-final victory over Belgium last Saturday.

He was back in full training last night, but not risked for the starting XI by Alejandro Sabella, so Enzo Perez again gets the nod.

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain leads the attack with support from Messi and Ezequiel ‘Pocho’ Lavezzi, while Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia and Sampdoria goalkeeper Sergio Romero also feature.

Germany are without Sampdoria defender Shkodran Mustafi and again leave Per Mertesacker on the bench due to poor form.

Lazio striker Miroslav Klose is the centre-forward after setting an all-time record with 16 career World Cup goals.

Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller are the supporting trio with Bastian Schweinsteiger in the middle.

Sami Khedira was named in the starting XI, but pulled out during the warm-up with a calf problem, so is replaced by Christoph Kramer.

Germany: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, Howedes; Kramer, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Kroos, Ozil; Klose

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Garay, Rojo; Biglia, Mascherano; Perez, Messi, Lavezzi; Higuain

Ref: Rizzoli (ITA)

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