Fan on pitch stops play at World Cup final

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) The World Cup final was interrupted for nearly a minute by a spectator running on to the Maracana Stadium pitch.

Germany and Argentina were level at 0-0 when the incident happened in the 82rd minute.

The man, wearing a cropped t-shirt, shorts and vivid orange football boots, encroached on the pitch from Germany's left wing.

He ran in front of Germany's bench, threw his cap on the grass and approached Germany defender Benedikt Hoewedes.

He was able to run for another 20 meters (yards) before four security staff wrestled him down and carried him away.

It was the third time a spectator has got on the pitch at this World Cup.

It happened in the United States vs. Belgium Round of 16 match, and Germany's group game against Ghana.