The two sides could not be separated in normal time, but Mario Gotze scored in the second half of extra-time as Germany became the first European team to win the World Cup on South American soil.
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.
Higuain then had a stunning opportunity 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.
Germany were next to come close 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 Romerowas on hand to make the save.
Argentina had another golden chance after 40 minutes following a brilliant run from Messi, but Jerome 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, before Muller was flagged offside from the rebound.
Lionel Messi had a golden chance for Argentina moments into the second period, but the Barcelona attacker placed his effort just wide of the bottom corner.
Schurrle fed Muller down the other end five minutes later, but the latter's low cross was cleared by Martin Demichelis during what was an end-to-end period of the match.
Miroslav Klose tested Romero with a header just before the hour mark, but his effort never had enough power to beat the goalkeeper.
Schurrle had another opportunity after 70 minutes following bright work from Muller, but the Chelsea winger's touch was poor and Romero was out to collect once more, with the score still goalless at the Maracana.
Messi fired one wide of the post for Argentina in their next attack, before Kroos placed an effort just wide of Romero's post after 82 minutes as Germany threatened to break the deadlock once more.
Gotze had the final chance in normal time, but the German's effort was straight at Romero as the match headed for extra-time.
Schurrle had a golden chance for Germany in the early stages of extra-time, but his effort was straight at Romero. Down the other end, Aguero flashed a low attempt across the edge of the German box.
Rodrigo Palacio was next to come close for Argentina after the substitute burst into the German box, but the striker could only lift his effort wide of the post after initially beating the onrushing Manuel Neuer to the ball.
Germany won it seven minutes from the end of extra-time, however, when Gotze showed wonderful skill inside the box before finishing into the bottom corner.
Argentina responded with a period of pressure, but could not open their tally as Germany secured the trophy.
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