The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. But not beaten. The outstanding performers were the defenders – there were epic displays from Garay and Pablo Zabaleta and for Germany there was Jérôme Boateng and Philipp Lahm – as they thwarted attack after attack. Raphael Honigstein: Bastian Schweinsteiger was floored six times by the Argentinians in the World Cup final.

Six times, he got up.

World Cup 2014: Bastian Schweinsteiger drives Germany to victory in enthralling final. This meant so much. German soccer fans react after the deciding goal for Germany in the final of the Brazil World Cup 2014 between Germany and Argentina played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at a public viewing area called 'Fan Mile' in Berlin, German fans at Hophaus celebrate the winning goal while watching the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final match between Germany and Argentina in Melbourne, Australia, German fans celebrate as they drive along the 'Reeperbahn' red light district in Hamburg after Germany won the World Cup soccer final against Argentina, German fans celebrate during a firework after an outdoor screening near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, German fans celebrate at an outdoor screening near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, German soccer fans celebrate after the World Cup final between Germany and Argentina in downtown Frankfurt, Germany, A German fan celebrates with vuvuzelas on the Kufuerstendamm avenue in Berlin, More than 200,000 Germany fans thronged in central Berlin for the World Cup final, turning an avenue behind the Brandenburg Gate into a sea of black, red and gold flags, German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and German President Joachim Gauck (R) react during the FIFA World Cup 2014 final between Germany and Argentina at the Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Germany's Shkodran Mustafi lifts the trophy amid his teammates after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Germany's Mario Goetze and his girl friend Ann-Kathrin Broemmel, as they hold the trophy during the party of the German soccer federation after Germany beat Argentina 1-0 after extra-time in the soccer World Cup final to win its fourth title in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Germany's Lukas Podolski carries his son Louis Gabriel after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, German Chancellor Angela Merkel hugs Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer following their 1-0 victory over Argentina after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Germany's head coach Joachim Loew celebrates after the final whistle of the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Germany's Thomas Mueller (R) lifts the trophy beside his teammates after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.