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10 Of The Most Memorable Moments Of The 2014 World Cup

10 Of The Most Memorable Moments Of The 2014 World Cup

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The 2014 FIFA World Cup was full of incredible moments, and has already been touted as one of the greatest tournaments of all time. From the shocking upsets and the thrilling goals to the electric atmosphere in Brazil – 2014 left fans with memories to last us until 2018. Here are 10 of the most memorable moments of the tournament. Feel free to add your favorite moment in the comments!

Sources: HuffingtonPost.com, BleacherReport.com, SBS.com.au, ProSoccerTalk.NBCSports.com

Commons.Wikimedia.org
Commons.Wikimedia.org

Brazil’s semi-final stunning defeat

When the halftime score read 5-0, Brazilians (and the rest of the world) could only stare in disbelief. Germany blitzed through the Brazilian defense in the first half, delivering goal after goal, eventually winning the match with a shocking 7-1 score. The match was deemed a “disgrace of disgraces” by the Brazilian media, and Brazil’s captain, David Luiz, even broke down during the post-game interview and apologized to the people of Brazil.

Source: SBS.com.au

Commons.Wikimedia.org
Commons.Wikimedia.org

Bitegate

Yep, you knew it was going to make the list. Uruguay’s star striker, Luis Suarez, got caught red-handed (or red-mouthed as it were) biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during their group-stage match – the third time he has done so during his career. FIFA soon decided on a four-month ban from all football competitions, and Uruguay would go on to lose 2-0 to Colombia in the knock-out stages.

PBS.TWImig.com
PBS.TWImig.com

The most polite football fans in history

While some fans like to start fights after games, Japanese fans made headlines when cameras snapped them cleaning up trash left behind in the stadium after each of their country’s matches. Despite the fact that Japan did not perform quite as well as its fans would have hoped (two losses and one draw, eliminating them after the group stage), the fans carried out their custom of cleaning up, earning them international recognition, as well as a huge nod of appreciation from the cleaning crews in Brazil’s stadiums.

De.Wikipedia.org
De.Wikipedia.org

Robin van Persie, a.k.a. The Flying Dutchman

Far and wide considered one of the best goals of the entire tournament, the Netherlands’s Robin van Persie launched himself through the air to convert teammate’s Daley Blind’s cross during their team’s match against Spain in the group stage. He leaped forward to make a spectacular header over Spanish goalie Iker Casillas, and the Netherlands would use that momentum to win the match 5-1.

GrandeDexa.Tumblr.com
GrandeDexa.Tumblr.com

Basically everything James Rodriguez did

Colombia’s James Rodriguez had a pretty impressive tournament, evidenced by the fact that he walked away with the Golden Boot, despite his team not proceeding past the quarter-finals. With six goals, including one of the most spectacular volleys of all time against Uruguay, and the fanciest of footwork against Japan, he helped his team blast through its opponents until it was eventually defeated by Brazil. But most importantly, that salsa dance goal celebration is just fantastic.*

*Let’s also not forget about that monster-sized bug that landed on his arm. If he can survive that, he can survive anything.

BBC.co.uk
BBC.co.uk

Ghana sends $3 million in cash to Brazil

Ghana’s players, along with the players of several other African teams, threatened to strike before their group match against Portugal if they weren’t paid up front, in cash, beforehand. The Ghanaian government acquiesced, sending $3 million in cash on a plane to Brazil to appease the players. During the conflict, however, two of Ghana’s best players, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari, were sent home due to clashes with team officials.

HDNux.com
HDNux.com

Tim Cahill’s spectacular goal

Australia isn’t usually a favorite during the World Cup, but Tim Cahill’s phenomenal goal against the Netherlands in the group stage – even though it wouldn’t help his team eventually win – made the Aussies a favorite to watch, at least for a short time. Cahill managed to crack off a fantastic volley against the crossbar, and quickly went down in history as one of the greatest goals of the tournament (and one of the greatest goal celebrations –his unique shadow boxing at the corner flag is pictured above for your enjoyment).

Commons.Wikimedia.org
Commons.Wikimedia.org

Tim Howard, Secretary of Defense

The U.S. had a decent squad for this year’s World Cup, but even its coach admitted he didn’t think his team had what it takes. But the U.S. surprised everyone when it managed to make it out of an extremely difficult group that included Germany, Portugal, and Ghana, and put in a spectacular effort against Belgium in the knock-out stage. No effort was greater than the team’s captain and goalie, Tim Howard, who racked up an incredible 16 saves during the 120-minute match against Belgium – more than any other goalkeeper in the history of the tournament in a single match. His skill was so great, somebody even altered his Wikipedia page following the match, renaming Howard as the U.S. Secretary of Defense.

HDNux.com
HDNux.com

Mario Goetze’s tournament-winning strike

Germany emerged this year’s champions at the World Cup, thanks to Mario Goetze’s awesome goal in extra time in the final game against Argentina. In the 113th minute of the 0-0 game, Goetze managed to control and volley a brilliant pass from teammate Andre Schurrle and deliver a powerful strike past Argentinian goalie Sergio Romero. An impressive shot in itself, it makes the list no matter what, given that it was the deciding factor of the entire tournament.

Commons.Wikimedia.org
Commons.Wikimedia.org

The rise and surprise of Costa Rica

Anybody who happened to put money on Costa Rica before the World Cup began must be sitting pretty at this point, since the country smashed through any and all expectations, making it all the way to the quarter-finals before eventually succumbing to the Netherlands. Costa Rica somehow emerged first in its extremely difficult group that included previous winners Uruguay, Italy, and England, and continued its roll past Greece in the round of 16. It became obvious fairly early that as soon as your team went out, you jumped on the Costa Rica bandwagon.