2014 FIFA World Cup – Brazil

2014 FIFA World Cup – Brazil

For the second time Brazil was chosen to host a world cup. The 2014 FIFA World Cup received bids for hosting from Brazil and Colombia, that withdrew its bid later. It was the first time that two consecutive world cups would be held outside Europe.

Due to high temperatures in Brazil, specially in the northern states, cooling breaks were introduced. They could take place at the referee’s discretion after the 30th minute.

The 32 places would be allocated as follow: 1 for the hosts, 13 to UEFA (including Israel), 4 to CONMEBOL, 4 to AFC, 3 to CONCACAF and 5 to CAF. One of the last 2 places would be contested by the 4th from CONCACAF vs. and the winner of OFC. The other would be contested by the 5th from AFC vs. the 5th from CONMEBOL.

Miroslav Klose, from Germany, set a record of 16 goals scored throughout all world cups he competed, breaking the previous record of 14 goals from Ronaldo, Brazil.

One of the semi-finals, when Germany played against the hosts, Brazil, ended with one of the most unbelievable scores in the history of the wold cup. It was the second time Germany would play against Brazil in the world cup. The first time being the final of 2002, when the Brazilians won. Brazil arrived in the semi-final not presenting a good football. Expectations weren’t very high as they were going to face one of the best teams in the tournament. But no one expected that Germany was going to destroy the Brazilians, completely neutralizing them. It looked like a match between professionals and an amateur team. They opened the score in the 11th minute. Twelve minutes later, they scored again, 2-0. One minute later, 3-0. Two minutes later, 4-0. Three minutes later, 5-0. It was just unbelievable! In the 29th minute of the game, they were ahead 5-0. They scored another two goals in the second half, and Brazil scored a consolation goal in the end of the match. 7-1, Brazil’s worst result since 1920.

After such a great victory, the Germans arrived in the final to face Argentina, repeating the finals of 1986 and 1990. After a scoreless regular time, the Germans were able to score a goal in the second half of the extra time guaranteeing their fourth title. German became the second European to win a title outside Europe.

List of qualified teams: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay.

Champions: Germany
2nd place: Argentina
3rd place: Netherlands

Top scorer player: James Rodriguez (Colombia) – 6 goals
Top scorer team: Germany, 18 goals

List of all the tournaments