After a worldwide vote on a social media network, the iconic religious statue was lit up in black, yellow and red on the eve of the World Cup final at the Maracana

The Pope may be an avid Argentina supporter but Christ the Redeemer donned Germany's colours ahead of Sunday's World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro.

The Brazilian city's iconic religious statue was illuminated by red and yellow lighting on the eve of the game at the Maracana, which, combined with an unlit base, created the illusion of an upside down Germany flag.

The stunt was organised by social media network Twitter, which asked people the world over via the hashtag #armswideopen whether they would rather see Christ the Redeemer come out in support of the Albiceleste or Die Mannschaft.

Much to the relief of locals - whose devastation at seeing Brazil fall at the semi-final stage has only been intensified by the progression of fierce rivals Argentina to the tournament decider - Germany edged the competition, by just 565 votes.

Of course, this is not the first time that the World Cup has featured some divine intervention, with the 'Hand of God' having helped Diego Maradona's Argentina to victory in Mexico in 1986.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/3790/world-cup-2014/2014/07/13/4956166/pope-behind-argentina-but-christ-the-redeemer-shows-support?ICID=HP_BN_4