Rio de Janeiro, July 14 (IANS): Germany midfielder Sami Khedira pulled out of the FIFA World Cup final here Sunday against Argentina shortly before kick-off due to a calf injury, with youngster Christoph Kramer taking his place in the starting lineup.
The loss of Khedira was a huge blow to coach Joachim Low given the Real Madrid player's impressive display in the semifinal win, reports Xinhua.
Khedira was named in Low's original starting 11, which was unchanged from the 7-1 semifinal win over Brazil, only for the German Football Association (DFB) to confirm the change moments before the teams came out of the tunnel at the Maracana.
Though there was a cruel twist of fate for Kramer, who made his first competitive start for the Germans. The 23-year-old had to leave the pitch before in the 31st minute after sustaining a head injury.