The event 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
Targets: 171
Winner: Germany
Runners-up: Argentina
Golden Boot: James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Background
It took 64 years for the event to return to essentially the most adorned soccer nation.
When soccer’s largest celebration arrived in Brazil, the nation lived as much as expectations and delivered probably the most memorable tournaments.
Bosnia and Herzegovina have been the one debutants whereas not one of the Nordic nations certified.
The event 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.
Attributable to 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 last, 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 Dying”, Italy and England have been knocked out as Costa Rica and Uruguay superior. Portugal’s early exit from the event was additionally sudden.
Hosts Brazil have been among the many favourites, driving on the success of their latest star Neymar. They edged previous Colombia within the quarter-finals however misplaced Neymar for the remainder of the event with a again damage.
Their distress compounded when Germany handed them a 7-1 thrashing within the semis.
Argentina, led by one of many recreation’s biggest gamers Lionel Messi, made their method to the ultimate. The ultimate noticed robust defensive techniques from either side and was pushed into further time after no objectives have been scored in 90 minutes.
Mario Gotze, who got here on in its place within the last 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 event the most effective World Cups filled with objectives and a festive ambiance.
Robin van Persie scored probably the most memorable objectives when he headed Netherlands into the lead of their opening recreation in opposition to Spain.
Lows
Main as much as the event, protests have been held throughout Brazil in opposition to the usage of public funds ($11bn) for constructing stadiums as a substitute of housing, hospitals and colleges.
Police used pressure in opposition to protesters, resulting in accidents and international condemnation.
Uruguay’s Luis Suarez bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in a group-stage match. He was proven the crimson card and banned for 9 video games by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee.
Germany’s post-win celebrations again residence got here below heavy criticism after they mocked Argentina’s gauchos by dancing with a stooped posture.