2014 FIFA World Cup Final best player (Lionel Messi) versus the world's best team (Germany). Before the match, Germany had reached the World Cup final seven times (six times as West Germany from 1954 to 1990), winning three (1954, 1974, 1990) and being runners-up four times (1966, 1982, 1986, 2002); Argentina had reached four finals, winning twice (1978, 1986) and placing second twice (1930, 1990). The result marked Germany's fourth World Cup title and their first World championship as a unified nation. The victory meant that three consecutive World Cups have been won by teams from the same continent, following Italy and Spain in 2006
1998 FIFA World Cup Final and Euro 2000 are also part of the France 98 charity association, with Deschamps as president and Jacquet as coach for charity matches and testimonials. For Brazil, this marked only the second time that they had lost a World Cup final, following their 2–1 upset loss to Uruguay in the "de facto" final of the 1950 FIFA World Cup, nicknamed the "Maracanazo" in Brazil. The 3–0 scoreline was also Brazil's previous largest loss at any World Cup match prior to their 7–1 loss to Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte. Brazil were drawn in Group