Our 10 Favorite Moments From The 2014 FIFA World Cup [Photo And Video Highlights]


The 2014 FIFA World Cup seems to have taken the world by storm. Alas, it is now all over. Die-hard World Cup fans can relive some of the greatest (and interestingly bizarre) moments of the World Cup right here.

10. Opening Ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup

The opening ceremonies kicked off with the familiar pairing of Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez. Their performances received mixed reviews around the web, but it’s pretty safe to say that we couldn’t have expected anything less than an ostentatious affair when Pitbull and J-Lo are involved. Here is a video of the complete opening ceremonies for your viewing pleasure:

9. Brazil vs Croatia

Brazil put their fans in a frenzy with their 3-1 win over Croatia, putting them in the running to compete in the finals. Neymar scored two goals for Brazil while the only goal Croatia was able to muster was scored by Marcelo. What some feel to be a questionable foul, took away one point from Croatia’s team and deflated the momentum of the team overall.

8. USA vs Portugal

Portugal was desperately trying to hang on to the hope of moving on to the round of 16 when they faced Team USA. In additional time, Cristiano Ronaldo showed everyone why he is one of the best players in the world with a cross to Silvestre Varela, who scored the equalizer, breaking American hearts all over the world. However, the USA was able to move on to the next round, despite losing to Germany.

[Photo credit: Bleacher Report/Associated Press/Penn Live/All Sports Stars]

7. Brazil vs Colombia

Perhaps the most emotional match of the entire World Cup, the quarter-finals between Brazil and Colombia was riddled with drama. Brazil’s won over Colombia despite Neymar’s catastrophic injury and allowed them to advance to play against Germany in the semi-finals.

6. Ghana vs USA

The men’s U.S. National Team overcame Ghana late in the match when John Brooks scored a dramatic second goal. This would be the United State’s first Group G match of the World Cup. Here is a commentary of the match as presented by 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Reports:

5. Germany vs Portugal

All through the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the Germany National soccer club has been consistent and strong. Their 4-0 thrashing of Portugal was no exception. Thomas Muller scored the first hat-trick of the World Cup for Germany to take the match. Muller scored a total of five times total during the 2014 competition. Muller previously won the Golden Boot in South Africa four years prior.

[Photo credit: Bleacher Report/NDTV/Getty]

4. Netherlands vs Argentina

Normally, when a match goes 0-0, it would be severely under-whelming. Not so in the case of the match between Netherlands and Argentina. The entire match was riddled with penalties which inevitably led to the 0-0 final score.

[Photo credit: Bleacher Report/International Business Times/The Epoch Times/Telegraph UK]

3. Brazil vs Germany

Brazil waited 64 years to host the World Cup and avenge the loss they suffered in the 1950 final, known as the Maracanazo. Unfortunately for them, Germany had other ideas and the semifinal loss left a team in shock, effectively unable to recover and face the Netherlands in the third place match. Without Neymar, Brazil was helpless. Germany’s trouncing of Brazil with a final score of 7-1 was the match heard around the world. This also happens to be the worst loss in the history of the Brazil National Team.

[Photo credit: Time Magazine/Device Magazine/NDTV/Polis Post]

2. World Cup Final: Germany Takes Argentina

This top 10 would definitely not be complete without mentioning the final match between Argentina and Germany. Though Germany would take the title in the end, it was not for Argentina putting up a good fight. Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi would be honored with the FIFA’s Golden Ball award, despite being unable to inspire his side to World Cup glory. Here is a highlights reel courtesy of Tollywood on YouTube:

1. Closing Ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup

The closing ceremonies of the World Cup 2014 brought together some of the biggest names in Latin music. Shakira would kick off the celebration with her hit song “La, La, La (Brazil 2014)” and later the crowd would be entertained by Carlos Santana, Wyclef Jean, Alexandre Pires, and Ivete Sangalo along with a performance by a samba dance troupe.

[Photo credit: Baltimore Sun/Getty Images/Associated Press]

That wraps our favorite moments of the FIFA 2014 World Cup. How’d we do? What were your favorite moments from this epic soccer competition? Share with us in the comments below.

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