The FIFA World Cup final is upon us. Football fans across the world will be biting their nails when Germany go head to head with Argentina.

Herald football writer Steven Holloway and his father Bruce, two-time NZ football writer of the year, argue over whether the 2014 World Cup is the best edition ever

For Adidas, the World Cup has already been won, whatever the outcome of Monday's final in Rio de Janeiro.

The Fifa World Cup has finally reached the business end of the tournament, with punters swarming to place their bets on their favourite football team to win.

Herald journalist Steven Holloway looks at five things we learned from week four of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Yes, Brazil were bad. But far more importantly, the Germans were sensational, writes Chris Rattue.

Kiwis bet more than a million dollars on the World Cup semifinal between Brazil and Germany - the biggest amount of the tournament so far.

Rod Emmerson's take on Brazil's demolition.

Germany handed Brazil its heaviest World Cup loss ever this morning with an astounding 7-1 rout in the semifinals that stunned the host nation.

After the 1950 World Cup final, which Brazil lost 2-1 to Uruguay in Rio, the country's football was plunged into such deep despair the national team didn't play again for two years.

Brazil and Germany collide in a heavyweight clash of continental superpowers as the World Cup semi-finals get under way this morning.

As the Fifa World Cup draws near its glorious finale, the calls of "best tournament ever" have been thrown around wildly.

This year's World Cup was supposed to be the "greenest ever", with FIFA taking measures to account for the event's greenhouse gas emissions.

Michael Burgess looks at three talking points ahead of tomorrow's semifinal clash between hosts Brazil and Germany.

As the World Cup heads into towards its climax, don't be surprised to see one of the biggest games decided by a penalty shootout.

It truly seems a miracle the yellow shirts have been so good for so long, writes Coen Lammers after travelling through Brazil.

This tournament has already delivered plenty of action, and now it's time to get set for the biggest World Cup semi final round in two decades.

Nick McDonald draws some parallels between football and trading, inspired by the 2014 FIFA Football World Cup.

He could have been forgiven for being laid-back - after all his team were 1-0 up in their World Cup quarter-final - but perhaps not quite so far.

Three days ago the World Cup was at their feet. Now four fans have had their hopes of football glory dashed in the tournament's quarter-finals.

The Dutch completely deserved to win their World Cup quarter final, but their tactical switch of goalkeepers was against the spirit of the game, writes Michael Burgess.

As the eyes of the world are on the carnival of sport at the Football World Cup in Brazil, we meet Kiwis who have made the South American mecca home.

What they lack in beauty, Brazil are making up for with backbone.

With the help of the internet's CIA factbook, the Herald on Sunday has pieced together the evidence from previous matches and looks at what is to come.