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.
It might be very odd to associate China with the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, given that the country has only qualified once, and that was 12 years ago.
Performers dance during the 2014 World Cup opening ceremony at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo June 12, 2014.
Workers display FIFA World Cup replicas in Dongguan City, South China's Guangdong province on Wednesday. Wagon Giftware, as a supplier to the Brazil World Cup, has produced trohpy replicas and game logos, as well as tournament mascot "Fuleco". The company has produced more than 250 items from materials including metal, plastic and ceramics. The company has previously produced souvenirs for Olympic Games staged in Atlanta, Sydney and Beijing.
A confident Croatia is ready to spoil Brazil's party in their World Cup opener and continue a long tradition of first match upsets at the tournament.
A child watches fish swim over a mini soccer field during a "fish soccer match" event at the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, in Shanghai June 12, 2014.
While there's hardly any doubt, FIFA President Sepp Blatter won't declare himself a candidate for re-election just yet.
To impress the world with a good image, they choose to wear suits in most of cases upon arrival. Football fans can never tell which uniform suits more to them, the suits or the shirts.
A subway strike in Sao Paulo that threatened to disrupt the opening of the World Cup was averted Wednesday night.
The 2014 Brazil World Cup is set to begin with Brazil and Croatia competing in the opening match on Thursday. Passions are running high around the world and young boys are among the sport's biggest fans.
Workers at Rio de Janeiro's two airports declared a partial work stoppage beginning at midnight Wednesday, on the eve of the opening match of the World Cup.
Wang, working as a train driver in the Central China city, welcomes the worldwide soccer feast with his artworks featuring the mascot and emblem of the Brazil games.
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