The World Cup title for Joachim Loew and his "golden generation" crowned a process that was 10 years in the making. With a talented crop of new players coming through, the future looks bright for Germany.

The 1-0 victory over Argentina at the Maracana that gave Germany its fourth title and made it the first European team to win the championship on South American soil completed a circle for Loew that began in 2004, when he became Juergen Klinsmann's assistant.

On the eve of the World Cup final, Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said he saw some "parallels" between his team and the Argentina that became world champion in 1986.

Instead, Sabella's squad looked more like the Argentina of 1990, which also lost the World Cup final 1-0 to a German team.

Former France great Zinedine Zidane began his head coaching career Monday after taking charge of Real Madrid's reserve team.

Zidane, 42, served as an assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti last season as Madrid won a Champions League-Copa del Rey double.

Former two-time winner Alberto Contador was in tears as he pulled out of the Tour de France on Monday after crashing badly on the tough 10th stage.

The Spaniard's withdrawal was the second major abandonment of the 101st edition of the Grand Boucle following that of reigning champion Chris Froome last Wednesday.

Thousands of people greeted a crestfallen Lionel Messi and the rest of the Argentina team when the squad flew home to Buenos Aires on Monday after the World Cup final defeat to Germany.

Television networks carried live coverage of the Aerolineas Argentinas plane -- painted in the blue-and-white colors of the flag with the words "Thank you Argentina" -- as it touched down.

English Premier League giants Manchester United on Monday announced a ten-year kit deal with German sportswear group Adidas worth £750 million (942 million euros, 1.28 billion dollars), replacing Nike as manufacturer.

"Manchester United plc... has reached a ten year agreement with Adidas for a global technical sponsorship and dual branded licensing deal for a minimum guarantee of £750 million... beginning with the 2015/2016 campaign," the club said in a statement.

Germany midfielder Christoph Kramer's head injury in the World Cup final on Sunday has revived concerns about the way football deals with concussions.

It was the latest in a series of head injuries at the World Cup that raised questions about the sideline medical checks.

Battered and bloodied, Bastian Schweinsteiger kept fighting. No Argentine tackle or foul would keep the German midfielder from lifting the World Cup trophy.

Schweinsteiger battled through the final and Germany won its fourth title with a 1-0 win over Argentina on Sunday at the Maracana.

Brazil's World Cup organizers can say it now: "Esta tudo bem" — it's all OK. What was everyone so worried about?

After being plagued by doubts over whether the stadiums would be ready and stay standing, and if Brazil's people would join in the fun or try to spoil it, their tournament is a winner. Even if the Brazilian team fell disastrously short.

Brazil's football confederation (CBF) will not renew national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's contract, local media reported early Monday, just hours after Germany defeated Argentina to win the 2014 World Cup.

Scolari said that he would let the CBF decide his fate after his team lost the game for third place 3-0 to the Netherlands on Saturday, and after being crushed by Germany in a humiliating 7-1 defeat on Tuesday.