Out of every major sporting event imaginable, only one can have the entire world watching it. Obviously it’s the FIFA World Cup. Held every four years, qualified countries send out their best players, to represent their respective nation out on the soccer field, to compete for the coveted FIFA World Cup Trophy.

Many editions of the World Cup have produced some memorable matches, moments, and controversies, engraved for eternity.  Going back to the 2014 World Cup, hosts Brazil were the favorites to win it all.  The team had history on its side, along with the home field advantage and millions of supporters.  It didn’t take long for that optimism to die.

Brazil opened up the tournament against Croatia.  Despite the rough start, with an own-goal by Brazil to open up the game, the Croatians stood no chance.  Brazil dismantled its opponent, with three convincing and unanswered goals.  The everlasting struggles of Mexico were supposed to follow them, heading into their match against Brazil. Instead, El Tri demonstrated its prowess, by displaying some of the greatest defensive counters, for a 0-0 draw.  Cameroon followed Croatian footsteps, by getting trashed 4-1.

Most eyes were glued on Brazil and Group A, but plenty of action was on full display in the other groups.  Over in Group B, 2010 World Cup finalists, Netherlands and reigning Champions Spain, did battle.  What should have been a close contest became a nightmare.  The flying Dutchmen torched the Spaniards 5-1.

Group D had an impressive turn of events, with three former champions failing to make an impact.  Costa Rica took down Italy and Uruguay, in shocking upsets.  England was the only one that managed a draw, against Costa Rica.

Further down, in Group G, Germany, who was still in its peak, blitzed through the group.  Thomas Muller and Die Mannschaft crushed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal effortlessly, 4-0.  Ghana, by some miracle, forced a 2-2 draw.  The United States put up a fight, but the Germans still prevailed.  All Germany did was set up a sneak preview, for their showdown against Brazil.

In the knockout stage, tensions went up a notch. Brazil demonstrated plenty of red flags, as they barely got past Chile, in a penalty shootout. Mexico stuck to the script, and blew the game away, for another Round of 16 elimination, via a controversial penalty awarded to the Netherlands. Costa Rica continued to impress, as they defeated Greece, in a penalty shootout. Not the greatest achievement, to beat Greece, but considering the low expectations set for Costa Rica, this was next level. Germany continued to show its status, as a favorite to win it all. Argentina wasn’t far behind.

In the Quarterfinals, everything came down to at least one goal. Germany, Brazil, and Argentina all won their games, respectively over France, Columbia, and Belgium, by a one goal difference. Costa Rica’s underdog story came to a halt, as the Netherlands eliminated Los Ticos in a penalty shootout.

Without question, the Semi-finals featured the most recognized match of this tournament. Bitter foes Brazil and Germany squared off, in a 2002 World Cup Final rematch. And to be fair, this was far from a rematch. Germany entered Belo Horizonte like it was 1939 Poland. Die Mannschaft blitzed the Brazilians with seven consecutive goals. Brazil found the back of the net once, in what was less than a pity goal. Thomas Müller, Miroslav Klose, Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira, and André Schürrle all waltzed their way into the history books, at the expense of Brazil’s pride. Klose broke the hearts of millions of Brazilians, by surpassing Ronaldo Nazário’s record as the tournament’s overall top scorer.

Argentina faced off against the Netherlands, who were riding a huge wave of momentum, in what was a very close contest. Extra time wasn’t enough, so the Flying Dutchmen and Lionel Messi’s La Albiceleste settled for penalties, which Argentina won, along with a ticket to the Final. This was it. Messi was on the verge of becoming World Cup Champion. This was revenge, after two consecutive defeats, at the hands of Germany, in 2006 and 2010.

Coincidentally, Germany was also seeking revenge, as the last time they faced off in a Final was 28 years prior, which Argentina won. Over two decades of struggles came to a sudden end, when Mario Götze scored the game winner, heading into the closing minutes of extra time.

No one can argue that the 2014 World Cup was nothing short of an extravaganza. It had everything a fan wants; excitement, controversy, underdog stories, etc. What else is a highlight of this edition of the World Cup?