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.
Germany striker Miroslav Klose came off the bench to score a record-equalling 15th World Cup goal and salvage a 2-2 draw against Ghana in a pulsating Group G game on Saturday.
Lionel Messi saved Argentina's blushes with a brilliant curling stoppage time winner against unheralded Iran at the World Cup on Saturday to give the South Americans a 1-0 victory and send them into the last 16.
Forwards Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema each scored one goal and created another as a rampant France blew away Switzerland 5-2 Friday to take control of Group E and all but seal a place in the next round.
Costa Rica produced another huge upset to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the second time on Friday with a 1-0 Group D win over Italy that also ensured England were eliminated.
A fan holds a sign reading: "I need a ticket for the game between Chile and Spain.
Chilean fans proved their enthusiasm for the World Cup but not in the most law abiding way.
It is said the strongest bond between a person and their hometown is childhood food. The theory proved true when Chinese restaurants in Brazil celebrated an increase in trade during the World Cup.
Having missed the opening defeat to Costa Rica, Uruguay's talisman returned to score both goals and send England to the verge of group stage elimination. World Cup special
FIFA has cleared Pepe to play in Portugal's last Group G match by banning him for only one match for his red card against Germany.
As FIFA World Cup contintues, Song Chongxun, a dough figurine craftsman has his own way to celebrate the football tournament.
Greece promised goals that didn't come. Japan pressed for a victory that eluded them yet again.
Basketball icon Yao Ming said he thinks his presence in a popular reality TV show could draw more attention to children's all-round development through sports activities.
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263 Registration Number: 130349 
