The match was held in 12 stadiums throughout Brazil, with the ultimate on the historic Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
Host: Brazil
Groups: 32
Format: Group stage, knockouts
Matches: 64
Objectives: 171
Winner: Germany
Runners-up: Argentina
Golden Boot: James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Background
It took 64 years for the match to return to probably the most embellished soccer nation.
When soccer’s greatest celebration arrived in Brazil, the nation lived as much as expectations and delivered some of the memorable tournaments.
Bosnia and Herzegovina have been the one debutants whereas not one of the Nordic nations certified.
The match was held in 12 stadiums throughout Brazil, with the ultimate on the historic Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
FIFA deployed new know-how for aiding referees with shut calls on the purpose line, in addition to vanishing spray for marking the spot for free-kicks.
Because of sizzling and humid circumstances in Brazil, FIFA sanctioned cooling breaks for gamers and officers. The breaks can be given on the referee’s discretion after half-hour.
Holders Spain confronted a shock exit within the group levels after a drubbing by the hands of their nemesis within the final World Cup remaining, the Netherlands. The Dutch gained 5-1. Spain then went on to lose to Chile earlier than a comfort win over Australia.
In group D, termed the “Group of Demise”, Italy and England have been knocked out as Costa Rica and Uruguay superior. Portugal’s early exit from the match was additionally surprising.
Hosts Brazil have been among the many favourites, using on the success of their latest star Neymar. They edged previous Colombia within the quarter-finals however misplaced Neymar for the remainder of the match with a again harm.
Their distress compounded when Germany handed them a 7-1 thrashing within the semis.
Argentina, led by one of many sport’s biggest gamers Lionel Messi, made their solution to the ultimate. The ultimate noticed sturdy defensive ways from either side and was pushed into additional time after no targets have been scored in 90 minutes.
Mario Gotze, who got here on as an alternative within the remaining two minutes of regular time, scored an excellent purpose within the 113th minute to make Germany the primary European nation to win the World Cup on South American soil.
Highs
Followers and analysts termed this match among the best World Cups stuffed with targets and a festive environment.
Robin van Persie scored some of the memorable targets when he headed Netherlands into the lead of their opening sport towards Spain.
Lows
Main as much as the match, protests have been held throughout Brazil towards the usage of public funds ($11bn) for constructing stadiums as an alternative of housing, hospitals and colleges.
Police used pressure towards protesters, resulting in accidents and world condemnation.
Uruguay’s Luis Suarez bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in a group-stage match. He was proven the purple card and banned for 9 video games by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee.
Germany’s post-win celebrations again dwelling got here beneath heavy criticism after they mocked Argentina’s gauchos by dancing with a stooped posture.
