Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella was left ruing his side's failure to take their chances after the South Americans' World Cup final defeat to Germany here Sunday.

Gonzalo Higuain missed a glorious first half chance to put Argentina 1-0 ahead while Lionel Messi also squandered a good opening in the second half.

Instead Germany, who controlled possession, struck an extra-time winner through Mario Goetze.

"It was a very balanced game," Sabella said.

"They had more possesion, but we had more cutting edge, more chances.

"When there are chances in a game that is so evenly balanced you have to take them. We lacked a bit of efficiency."

Sabella meanwhile praised his players for recovering from a gruelling semi-final to take Germany all the way to the wire.

"We played a day later and extra time and the only thing I can do is congratulate my players," he said.

"The work they did was extraordinary and also congratulate Germany."