Germany and Argentina have played out a goalless 45 minutes in the World Cup final in the Maracana this evening.

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Argentina had a half-chance inside four minutes when Gonzalo Higuain flashed an effort across goal, but there were no takers at the far post.

Lionel Messi burst into life moments later after driving past Mats Hummels, but his cross was cut out by Jerome Boateng in what was an end-to-end period of the match.

Higuain had a stunning chance after 21 minutes following a poor backwards header from Toni Kroos, but somehow he fired his effort wide of the post from just inside the penalty box.

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Germany's best chance came 10 minutes before the interval when Andre Schurrle, who had just entered as a substitute for the injured Christoph Kramer, was found by Thomas Muller, but Sergio Romero was on hand to make the save.

Argentina had another golden chance after 40 minutes following a brilliant run from Messi, but Boateng was on hand to clear at the vital moment.

Kroos had a half-chance for Germany moments before the break, but his effort was straight into the arms of Romero.

Germany again came close in first-half stoppage time, but Benedikt Howedes could only hit the post with a close-range header.

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