Police say two Italian men have died after being shot following an argument at a German bar that apparently centred on the World Cup records of Italy and Germany.

Both victims were taken to a hospital with head wounds after the Monday morning shooting in Hannover.

A 47-year-old Italian man died shortly afterward and police said Tuesday that his 49-year-old friend died of his injuries overnight.

Police say the two men stopped in to the bar after leaving the Italian restaurant where they worked. They then got into the argument with a German man over the past World Cup successes of three-time champion Germany and four-time winner Italy before the shots were fired.

Police are still looking for the 42-year-old gunman suspect.