Чемпионат Мира 2014: турнир, где футбол сошёл с ума

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil was that rare tournament where football felt alive. Golaso ​​after golaso, packed fan zones, the country's carnival-like energy, the Brazuca ball, and the feeling that something legendary was happening every day. There were Colombia's dances and James's masterpieces, Van Persie's flight and Ochoa's otherworldly saves, Suarez's bite and the downfall of the defending champions—Spain was eliminated in the group stage. In this video, I relive the entire World Cup: from the shocking start with Marcelo's own goal and Neymar's saves to the frantic knockout stages, where every match was all-or-nothing. Brazil nearly crashed out in the last 16: Chile took the hosts to penalties, and Pinilla's shot off the crossbar came within inches of a historic collapse. Mexico relived its pain—"No era penalty." Holland advanced, and Costa Rica created a sensational upset, forcing Van Gaal to make his legendary goalkeeper substitution for the penalty shootout—and Tim Krul made history. But this tournament will forever be remembered for one injury: Mineiraço 1-7. Germany destroyed the hosts at home, and Klose became the all-time leading World Cup scorer before Brazil's eyes. And all of this led to the final at the Maracanã: Messi on the brink of eternity, Argentina millimeters away from a third star—and Götze, who made Germany immortal in the 113th minute.