RIO DE JANEIRO, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Germany midfielder Sami Khedira pulled out of the World Cup final here on Sunday against Argentina shortly before kick-off due to a calf injury, with 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.
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.
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