Injury has kept Angel Di Maria out of Argentina’s starting XI for the World Cup final against Germany.
The Real Madrid midfielder hurt his thigh in the quarter-final win over Belgium and didn’t make the semi-final victory over the Netherlands. His place then was taken by Benfica’s Enzo Perez, who retains his spot.
Marcos Rojo is however fit after missing training in the days leading up to the final, which means Alejandro Sabella names an unchanged side for his final game as Argentina Coach.
Barcelona pair Javier Mascherano and Lionel Messi are among the two-time winners’ line-up, with Messi needing two goals to draw level with Colombia’s James Rodriguez on six in the Golden Boot stakes.
Germany’s Thomas Muller is a goal ahead of Messi but the World Cup’s record goal scorer, Miroslav Klose, will lead the line for the three-time champions.
Klose continues in attack while captain Philipp Lahm remains at right-back, having played in midfield earlier in the tournament. Joining Lahm in defence is Mats Hummels, who was an injury doubt after being withdrawn at half-time of Germany’s 7-1 semi-final hammering of Brazil.
With Hummels fit, Coach Joachim Low is able to name an unchanged side from the semi-final, including Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira and Madrid target Toni Kroos.
Germany: Neuer; Lahm, Hummels, Boateng, Howedes; Schweinsteiger, Khedira; Muller, Kroos, Ozil; Klose
Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Garay, Demichelis, Rojo; Biglia, Mascherano: Lavezzi, Messi, Perez; Higuain
