RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Germany midfielder Sami Khedira is a late withdrawal from the World Cup final with a calf injury and will not play. He is replaced by Christoph Kramer.
Angel Di Maria will not start for Argentina in the World Cup final against Germany after struggling with a thigh injury.
Di Maria also missed the semifinal win over the Netherlands, and the speedy winger’s absence is a big blow for Argentina’s attack.
Lionel Messi spearheads Argentina’s attack alongside Gonzalo Higuain, with Sergio Aguero on the bench. Aguero has also struggled with a thigh injury. Argentina also stayed with the same lineup that started in the semifinals.
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Lineups:
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Hoewedes; Christoph Kramer, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller; Miroslav Klose.
Argentina: Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo; Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Enzo Perez; Ezequiel Lavezzi, Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi.
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