World Cup 2014: The Tournament in Pictures
The 2014 FIFA World Cup is now behind us, but it leaves some indelible images imprinted on our minds.
Whether the ecstasy of victory, the devastation of defeat or enjoyment of the masses, the 20th instalment of world football’s most prestigious competition was a triumph of colour.
Following are some of the best images from the tournament, beginning at the group stage and concluding at the Maracana final.
June 12: Opening Ceremony
1 of 50
A colourful Opening Ceremony kicked off the 2014 FIFA World Cup prior to the Brazil-Croatia match in Sao Paulo.
June 12: Yuichi Nishimura
2 of 50
Referee Yuichi Nishimura's handling of the Brazil-Croatia contest was quite controversial.
June 13: Robin Van Persie
3 of 50
Robin van Persie's spectacular goal against Spain put the Netherlands on course for a surprising 5-1 win.
June 14: Colombia 3-0 Greece
4 of 50
James Rodriguez' memorable World Cup began with Colombia's 3-0 drubbing of Greece.
June 14: Uruguay 1-3 Costa Rica
5 of 50
Joel Campbell was the hero as Costa Rica came from behind to beat Uruguay 3-1, beginning a Cinderella run to the quarter-finals.
June 15: Argentina 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
6 of 50
Lionel Messi's 65th-minute goal helped Argentina to a 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
June 16: Ghana 1-2 United States
7 of 50
United States attacker Clint Dempsey opened the scoring against Ghana inside the first minute in Natal.
Pepe Red Card
8 of 50
Portugal defender Pepe was shown a straight red card for head-butting Germany's Thomas Mueller on June 16.
Guillermo Ochoa
9 of 50
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa became one of the early stars of the World Cup thanks to an exceptional display in a 0-0 draw with Brazil.
June 17: Belgium 2-1 Algeria
10 of 50
Dries Mertens scored the winner for Belgium against Algeria, who had initially taken the lead in Belo Horizonte.
June 18: Netherlands 3-2 Australia
11 of 50
Australia's Tim Cahill was heroic in defeat as Australia came up just short against the Netherlands.
June 19: Uruguay 2-1 England
12 of 50
England's Wayne Rooney finally scored a World Cup goal, but the Three Lions' 2-1 defeat to Uruguay on June 19 all but put them out of the tournament.
June 20: Honduras 1-2 Ecuador
13 of 50
Enner Valencia scored both goals for Ecuador as La Tri came from behind to beat Honduras in Curitiba.
June 20: Switzerland 2-5 France
14 of 50
Karim Benzema scored once and picked up a pair of assists as France thumped Switzerland 5-2.
June 21: Germany 2-2 Ghana
15 of 50
Asamoah Gyan temporarily put Ghana ahead of Germany in Fortaleza.
June 23: Netherlands 2-0 Chile
16 of 50
Netherlands attacker Memphis Depay scored in the 92nd minute as the Dutch beat Chile 2-0 in Sao Paulo.
June 24: Greece 2-1 Ivory Coast
17 of 50
Georgios Samaras' late penalty put Greece into the round of 16 at the expense of Ivory Coast.
The Suarez Bite
18 of 50
Uruguay eliminated Italy from the World Cup with a 1-0 win in Natal, but the match also saw Luis Suarez bite Giorgio Chiellini, an assault for which he would later be handed a lengthy suspension.
June 25: Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 Iran
19 of 50
Reza Ghoochannejhad scored Iran's only goal of the World Cup in a 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Alexis Sanchez' Shorts
20 of 50
Chile forward Alexis Sanchez' shorts just seemed to ride higher and higher during La Roja's round of 16 encounter with Brazil.
Neymar's Tears
21 of 50
Neymar couldn't hold back the tears after Brazil's penalty shoot-out win over Chile.
June 28: Colombia 2-0 Uruguay
22 of 50
Colombia's James Rodriguez scored one of the goals of the tournament against Uruguay in the round of 16.
June 29: Netherlands 2-1 Mexico
23 of 50
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal took all the credit for his side's 2-1 win over Mexico in Fortaleza.
Keylor Navas
24 of 50
Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas was among the best goalkeepers at the 2014 World Cup, and he put his side into the quarter-finals with this penalty save on Greece's Theofanis Gekas.
June 30: France 2-0 Nigeria
25 of 50
Paul Pogba's header proved the winner for France against Nigeria in the round of 16.
June 30: Germany 2-1 Algeria (aet)
26 of 50
Germany substitute Andre Schurrle finally broke the deadlock against Algeria in the second minute of extra time.
July 1: Argentina 1-0 Switzerland (aet)
27 of 50
Argentina midfielder Angel Di Maria scored the winner against Switzerland in the 118th minute.
July 1: Argentina 1-0 Switzerland (aet)
28 of 50
Lionel Messi didn't score against Switzerland, but he set up Angel Di Maria's late winner for Argentina.
July 1: Belgium 2-1 United States (aet)
29 of 50
Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to score once and assist another as Belgium beat the United States in extra time.
July 1: Belgium 2-1 United States (aet)
30 of 50
Julian Green pulled a goal back for the United States against Belgium in the 107th minute in Salvador.
Manuel Neuer
31 of 50
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was heroic as Germany beat France 1-0 at the quarter-final stage.
July 4: Brazil 2-1 Colombia
32 of 50
Thiago Silva headed Brazil into the lead against Colombia in Fortaleza.
Neymar
33 of 50
Neymar scored four goals at the World Cup finals, but his tournament came to an end following Juan Zuniga's knee to his back in the last eight.
July 5: Argentina 1-0 Belgium
34 of 50
Gonzalo Higuain scored the only goal in Argentina's 1-0 win over Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Javier Mascherano
35 of 50
One of Argentina's most important players during the 2014 World Cup, Javier Mascherano marked both Eden Hazard (pictured) and Kevin De Bruyne out of the quarter-final showdown with Belgium.
July 5: Netherlands 0-0 Costa Rica (4-3 on Penalties)
36 of 50
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal withdrew number-one goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and inserted Tim Krul for the penalty shootout against Costa Rica.
July 8: Brazil 1-7 Germany
37 of 50
Andre Schurrle and Thomas Mueller combined for three goals in Germany's 7-1 semi-final destruction of Brazil in Belo Horizonte.
July 8: Brazil 1-7 Germany
38 of 50
Toni Kroos is hoisted aloft after scoring the first of his two goals against Brazil.
July 8: Brazil 1-7 Germany
39 of 50
Brazil defender David Luiz walks off the pitch in tears following Brazil's semi-final collapse.
July 9: Netherlands 0-0 Argentina (2-4 on Penalties)
40 of 50
Netherlands defender Ron Vlaar didn't give Argentina's Lionel Messi an inch in the second semi-final.
July 9: Netherlands 0-0 Argentina (2-4 on Penalties)
41 of 50
Javier Mascherano made the most iconic tackle of the 2014 World Cup when he slid in to poke the ball off Arjen Robben's boot.
July 9: Netherlands 0-0 Argentina (2-4 on Penalties)
42 of 50
Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero made a pair of saves during the penalty shootout as the Albiceleste booked their place in the World Cup final.
July 13: Closing Ceremony
43 of 50
Shakira helped kick off the 2014 World Cup final with a pre-match performance.
July 13: Germany 1-0 Argentina
44 of 50
A mostly pro-Argentina crowd watched the World Cup final at the FIFA Fan Zone on Copacabana beach.
July 13: Germany 1-0 Argentina
45 of 50
Gonzalo Higuain pounced on a misplaced Toni Kroos header but was unable to open the scoring for Argentina.
July 13: Germany 1-0 Argentina
46 of 50
Gonzalo Higuain puts the ball in the back of the net for Argentina, only for his goal to be disallowed for offside.
July 13: Germany 1-0 Argentina
47 of 50
Bastian Schweinsteiger received stitches to his head in extra time, but returned to the action.
July 13: Germany 1-0 Argentina
48 of 50
Mario Goetze scores the World Cup-winning goal for Germany.
July 13: Germany 1-0 Argentina
49 of 50
Lionel Messi walks past the World Cup to accept his Golden Ball award.
July 13: Germany 1-0 Argentina
50 of 50
Germany captain Philipp Lahm lifted the World Cup trophy following his side's 1-0 win over Argentina in extra time.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
