RIO DE JANEIRO, July 14 — Four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Germany were tied at 0-0 as the third successive World Cup final went into extra-time today.

The best chance of the second-half fell to Messi in the 45^th minute but the Barcelona star scuffed his shot and it went wide of the far post.

Argentina had the ball in the net through Gonzalo Higuain in the 29^th minute but the goal was ruled offside.

The best chance of the first-half fell to Higuain as well. Toni Kroos’s ill-judged back header fell into his path with only goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to beat, but the Napoli striker snatched at his shot which went wide. — AFP