As the World Cup wraps up for another four years, we take a look at the ten most memorable moments from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
10. Japan’s polite fans
Sports fans can sometimes have a bad reputation for the trash left behind in stadiums but Japan’s fans made headlines around the world for their cleanliness.
Blue Samauri fans were snapped cleaning up the stadium after their country’s matches, despite two losses and a draw in the group stage.
Cleaning up is reportedly customary at Japanese sporting matches, but the pictures showcased a beautiful side to the ‘beautiful’ game and earned the Japanese fans a worldwide reputation.
9. Colombia’s goal celebrations
While many players have unique styles of celebrating goals (think Tim Cahill shadow-boxing the corner flag), Colombia’s celebration style might just have been the best in the World Cup.
After scoring the opening goal against the Ivory Coast in a tense Group C match, James Rodriguez gathered with teammates in an impromptu dance celebration.
It wasn’t the first or last time either. The team celebrated a penalty in a match against Japan with a Michael Jackson tribute and had previously had a dance celebration after a goal against Greece.
While Colombia’s dancing shoes were knocked out by Brazil in the quarterfinals, that didn’t stop cheerful celebrations as the team landed back home.
8. The weird and wonderful opening ceremony
There were moments of the opening ceremony that were uplifting and beautiful. Take for example a young paraplegic man who, with the help of a mind controlled exoskeleton, was able to deliver the inaugural kick of the World Cup.
There were moments of celebration and fun - Jennifer Lopez joining Pitbull and Claudia Leitte for a sparkling performance- that also featured some tight pants.
But there were also some weird (yet wonderful) costumes including dancing flowers and human-soccerball hybrids.
7. Van Persie’s amazing header
This year’s World Cup showcased some tremendous football skill, highlighting the performance of whole teams and individual super stars.
One such performance was the dramatic header by Robin Van Persie in the Netherlands game against Spain in the group stage. He was literally the Flying Dutchman.
6. Records smashed on and off the field
At any major sporting event, records are inevitably broken. At the World Cup, as the world’s football elite gathered to play, records were smashed.
No-one could forget the Brazil’s embarrassing 7-1 loss to Germany, a defeat Brazil hadn’t seen since 1920.
The Cup was also a landmark occasion for social media. Facebook users had more than one billion interactions and likes over the World Cup period, while on Twitter more than 300 million tweets have been sent.
The Germany v Brazil game became most tweeted sports game in Twitter history, with fans sending out more than 35 million tweets.
Germany’s Miroslav Klose showed off his chops and became the top scorer in World Cup finals history.
Colombia's Faryd Mondragon became the oldest player at the World Cup, appearing as a substitute a few days after his 43rd birthday.
Brazil striker Jo became the player with the shortest name to appear in this year's World Cup, while Greece's Sokratis Papastathopoulos' had the longest last name of a World Cup scorer.
And of course, SBS broke records during this year’s event with Aussie fans streaming the games live from The World Game website and World Cup app #humblebrag.
5. Brazilians take to the streets
Of course, amid the celebrations and festival-like atmosphere of the World Cup, there was also a lot of tensions off the field.
Over the past year, more than a million Brazilians across the country protested against the World Cup and government spending and corruption.
At least 10 people died during the protests in 2013. This year, dozens were injured and hundreds arrested by police
While the protests died down during the World Cup, the demonstrations have brought international attention to the political problems facing Brazil.
4. Aussie fans get into the World Cup spirit
Despite being thousands of kilometres away from the action, Australian football fans donned their colours to celebrate in World Cup style.
Many braved cold winter nights to follow their team’s journey to victory and bonded over breakfast and beers when it came to a loss.
SBS News followed Australian fans throughout the World Cup, whether they cheered for the Netherlands, Chile or Germany.
One of our favourite moments was the reaction after Brazil's own goal lead to Croatia taking the lead in the first match of the group stage.
3. Brazil's 'historic disgrace'
Germany scored goal after goal as Brazilian fans watched on in shock and disbelief, many fans leaving the stadium before half-time.
Fans around the country were devastated by the crushing loss, breaking into tears as it became clear the extent of Brazil’s defeat.
The team looked heartbroken as the game ended, with captain David Luiz breaking down and apologising to the nation.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said it was the worst day of his life and Brazilian media condemned the loss as a 'disgrace of disgraces.'
2. The Socceroos perform
But seriously, despite losing all three World Cup matches SBS football analysts say Australia’s performance was strong.
The Socceroos faced a tough group stage, up against defending champions Spain, 2010 runner-up the Netherlands and strong South American team, Chile.
"The fact that Spanish journalists and friends, prior to the final group game genuinely believed Australia could and would win....speaks volumes for the two performances prior," Craig Foster writes.
"(They) saw an organised, willing team capable of putting anyone under immense pressure, and realised that Australia could play against the best."
1. Bite-gate, take three
What World Cup list would be complete without some on-field drama? And there was plenty surrounding Uruguay's game with Italy after striker, Luis Suarez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Suarez said he simply collided with Chiellini but FIFA investigated the incident and banned the 27-year-old from football activites for four months, effectively ending his World Cup campaign.
Of course, fans saw the humorous side of bitegate and within hours social media platforms were flooded with hilarious takes of the incident, users taking on Jaws, Hannibal and Dracula.
It wasn't the first time Suarez has been fined for biting- previously getting bans for incidents in games with Ajax and Liverpool. He apologised via Twitter which Chiellini accepted in good form.
What do you think were the best World Cup moments? Tweet us at @SBSNews or comment below.
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