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.
Nigeria and Iran delivered the first draw of the World Cup on Monday as they ground out a scrappy 0-0 stalemate in their opening match in Group F.
Beautiful soccer fans watch football games during the World Cup in Brazil.
Thomas Mueller's hat-trick inspired Germany to a ruthless 4-0 mauling of 10-man Portugal in their opening World Cup Group G match on Monday and underlined their credentials as serious title contenders.
A police officer can be seen on an Associated Press video firing what appeared to be a live pistol round at anti-World Cup protesters Sunday near Rio de Janeiro's Maracana soccer stadium.
Enthusiasm to line up animals to predict the World Cup scores was undiminished in China despite the recent halt of the attempt on a team of panda cubs.
By the time the dilapidated RV hauled away, by the time everyone came down from the trees, by the time the horns and drums were lugged off the beach.
Lionel Messi scored a stunning second-half goal to push staggering Argentina to a 2-1 victory over Bosnia Sunday at the Maracana in the Group F opener for both teams.
Men tend to watch all the World Cup matches while their wives reluctantly assume greater responsibility in household work and other family matters.
As the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, David Beckham is trying not to miss his glory days of playing for England and now enjoys just being a soccer fan.
A Karim Benzema brace and an own goal by goalkeeper Noel Valladares awarded after confirmation by goalline technology gave France a 3-0 victory over 10-man Honduras in their World Cup Group E match on Sunday.
Haris Seferovic struck a stoppage time winner as Switzerland fought back from a goal down to claim a thrilling last-gasp 2-1 win over Ecuador in a scrappy but entertaining World Cup Group E opener on Sunday.
The organizers of Qatar's bid to host the 2022 World Cup have denied allegations published by Britain's Sunday Times newspaper that a senior Qatari soccer official made payments in order to win support for the bid.