European stalwarts won title for the fourth time when substitute Mario Goetze volleyed in a brilliant goal seven minutes from the end of extra time.
Uruguay's Luis Suarez (R) reacts after clashing with Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Dunas arena in Natal in this June 24, 2014 file photograph.
The Adidas World Cup ad campaign with star players baring their teeth was always a bit iffy when it came to the image of Luis Suarez, considering his history of biting opponents on the pitch. All about World Cup
FIFA banned Suarez from all football activities for four months on Thursday for biting an opponent at the World Cup, a punishment that rules him out of the rest of the tournament.
Soccer-crazy Uruguayans raged Thursday at FIFA's decision to kick their star player out of the World Cup for his third biting incident.
Players battle for the ball during their match at the swamp soccer China tournament in Beijing, June 26, 2014. The 32 teams from across the country participated in the soccer event to celebrate the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The insurance regulatory body on Thursday halted the sale of insurance products that carry a whiff of lottery at a time when many consumers are pressing their luck on the ongoing World Cup.
Joachim Loew and Jurgen Klinsmann shook hands, smiled and patted each on the shoulders, like the two good friends they are. The two coaches had every reason to be pleased: both of their teams advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Alberto Zaccheroni quit as Japanese national team coach after the country's poor World Cup showing, local media reported Thursday.
Uruguay football star Luis Suarez's suspected biting during a World Cup soccer game has inspired Chinese businessmen to design corkscrews that have become popular on Internet sites.
The four Asian contenders have failed to post a single victory in 11 games so far, heading for the continent's worst World Cup in 16 years.
Ghana's cash-strapped football association has asked for an advance on the $8 million prize money it is guaranteed from the World Cup to pay outstanding debts to players.
Bayern Munich player Xherdan Shaqiri's stunning hat-trick sent Switzerland into the top 16 of the Brazil World Cup as they beat Honduras 3-0 in the final round of Group E here on Wednesday.