Germany became the first European side to win the World Cup on South American soil with a dramatic late goal in a 1-0 victory that prevented Argentina claiming victory in the spiritual home of their biggest rivals. A drained looking Angela Merkel leapt to her feet as Germany’s substitutes poured on to the pitch after Mario Götze chested down an Andre Schürrle cross deep into extra time and stroked it past Sergio Romero for the winner. The Bayern Munich player, 22, who came on as a substitute, delivered a worthy strike to secure his exciting side their fourth World Cup and their first major tournament victory since 1996. Their urbane coach Joachim Löw had been under pressure to deliver silverware with his golden generation of players and victory sparked wild celebrations when captain Philipp Lahm thrust the trophy into the night sky. A Brazilian World Cup that started amid fears over protests and corruption but became a paean to the best of international football concluded with a tense final and a dramatic denouement. Brazilians among the 74,738 fans inside the rebuilt Maracanã backed Löw’s side, hoping neighbours Argentina would not lift the ultimate prize on one of their sacred football…