A to Z of FIFA World Cup 2014

A. Argentina. Riots have broken out in the South American nation, post their loss to Germany, fans have vented their fury on the streets

A German fan heads to the Fan Fest at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to watch the FIFA World Cup final between Germany and Argentina. Pics/AFP

B. Brazil. The hosts were toast, losing 1-7 to Germany and then 0-3 to the Netherlands in the most forgettable days in the country's footballing history,

C. Copacabana beach. Thousands of fans on those sunny sands during the final in Rio de Janeiro. The world's greatest party was on!

D. David Beckham. The English sex symbol was in the stands during the final, redefining dishy as usual. David still has Goliathan sex appeal.

Up, up to the sky. Netherlands' forward Robin van Persie scores during a match between Spain and the Netherlands during the 2014 FIFA World Cup

E. England's early exit made English fans come down hard on Wayne Rooney, till Wayne's wifey flew to his rescue, asking the fans: Can you do better?

F. Fans. What would the game be without them? Crying, cheering, painted, dancing throngs, this is the lifeblood of the beautiful game that they make come alive.

G. Goal Or gggggooooooaaaaalllll. As they say. Life is a four-letter word for football fans and it is all about finding the net.

Argentina fans react in dejection after the final between Argentina and Germany. Germany won 1-0

H. Hips don't lie. So doesn't Shakira. The singer set a pulsating pace, with a commentator stating, he wants Shakira. Hmmm.

I. Injured Neymar broke a million hearts, and his vertebrae too. Brazil, though, played as if they lacked spine in the latter stages.

J. James Rodriguez. The name's James or James Rodriguez. The Colombian young gun fired on all cylinders, to make him the next hot thing in football.

Fans hold a national flag in front of cars near the zoo train station after Germany won the FIFA World Cup 2014

K. Klose. For Miroslav Klose, the German, this is his last World Cup and what a way to go, the final, unforgettable, footballing flourish on a signature.

L. Luiz Suarez. One of the most infamous bites in sporting history (Mike Tyson had bitten an opponent's ear) spawned an litany of Suarez jokes that went viral online. Hungry kya?

M. Merkel. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor is considered a lucky charm and a big football fan. All's well that ends Merkel.

N. Netherlands. The Flying Dutchmen crash landed, losing to Argentina. Ousted on penalties, there was small redemption in third place.

O. Octopus. Remember Paul the octopus? He was the oracle of the 2010 World Cup predicting wins. This time, there was no Paul-like figure spreading his clairvoyant tentacles all over the Cup.

P. Protests. Brazil was rocked by protests prior to the World Cup, with those opposed to the extravaganza talking about huge waste of public money.

Q. Quiet. Simply not there when it comes to Brazil the land of sun ‘n' fun. Fans broke the sound barrier, as one could hear them all the way from Brazil.

R. Russia is going to host the World Cup football in 2018, four years on. From Rio to Russia, it is ra-ra-Rasputin, Russia welcomes the football machine.

S. Samba. When it is Brazil can the Samba be far behind? Sholay style, let's say: Arre O Samba? Kitne goal the? Ha ha ha.

T. Troika of winners. Argentina captain Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball. Colombia's James Rodriguez won the Golden Boot and German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, won the Golden Glove .

U. Uruguay. No marks for loyalty here. The Uruguay outfit continued to defend Suarez even after he bit an opponent. Boo-ruguay, all the way.

V. Victory. That was reserved for Germany. German accuracy over all kinds of flair, that was the message. Dance Deutscheland Dance, it's your time to shine.

W. WAGS. Wives and Girlfriends (WAGS) set temperatures soaring in already hot Brazil and nobody kept tabs on this kind of scoring.

X. X-rated. When it is about WAGS, things can get a bit X-rated. Especially with beach culture, teeny, weeny bikinis and hot-blooded young men.

Y. Yellow cards. The tourney saw the referees fishing out a number of yellow cards and though yellow, their judgement was not jaundiced at all.

Z. Zenith. In other words, the highest order. The science of the game taken to its highest form. Fast, furious and spell-binding. Held us in thrall for one whole month. Well, what do we do now?