MARK WEBSTER: Mike Ingham, a familiar voice on BBC Radio 5 Live for three decades, delivered his last commentary as Germany beat Argentina to win the World Cup on Sunday night. As ever, he found the right words for the occasion.

Despite playing just five games at the World Cup, Colombia's star James Rodriguez won the Golden Boot with six goals.

They are the bits of tournament television coverage we love to watch but which we also dread, and in the battle of the World Cup 2014 montages BBC just shaded it over ITV.

SAM CUNNINGHAM: Blood oozed from the cut beneath his right eye. The wound was so deep that the bright red claret streamed down his protruding right cheek.

Mario Gotze may look like he is not long out of babygrow lederhosen but his status as Germany’s wunderkind has been established for some considerable time.

And then there was one, Germany the winners of Brazil 2014 following their victory over Argentina in the final at the Maracana. But what about the other numbers to emerge from the finals?

MARTIN KEOWN: The World Cup final can be the best occasion of a footballer's life, or the worst if they crumble under the pressure.

Jose Mourinho says Lionel Messi should not be considered the scapegoat after Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Germany.

It was party time for Germany after clinching their fourth World Cup with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final on Sunday.

There will have been plenty of Arsenal fans cheering on Germany on Sunday evening, attempting to share in the triumph of a World Cup win that seems to edge further away from England's dreams.

Germany's World Cup-winning stars were letting their heroics at the Maracana sink in on Monday as they relaxed at their Rio de Janeiro hotel with their ultimate prize.

Diego Maradona took a swipe at Lionel Messi the day after his World Cup heartache by insisting the heir to his throne didn't deserve to win the Golden Ball award.

Philipp Lahm was Germany's intrepid leader on the pitch but Lukas Podolski was leading them home to their inevitable rapturous reception in Berlin.

Luiz Felipe Scolari quit as manager of Brazil after the host nation tasted their first back-to-back defeats on home soil since 1940 during a humiliating World Cup.

There's nothing better than your country winning the World Cup, but Barbadian singer Rihanna seemed more than happy after Germany beat Argentina.

SPONSORED: Lionel Messi and James Rodriguez have lit up the summer with their silky skills and fabulous flair... but back home these football freestylers have impressed on a special pitch in east London.

Gary Neville had barely digested his first breakfast under the new world order when he waded into an online debate with those who thought England should simply try to copy the way Germany produce footballers.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is targeting further glory with Germany after finally winning his first major trophy with the national side. Schweinsteiger had become used to just coming up short in major tournaments.

MARTIN SAMUEL AT THE MARACANA: The perfect team versus the perfect superstar that was the narrative here. On one side Die National Mannschaft, on the other Lionel Messi. Yet football has a way of confounding such expectation. Mario Gotze scored a team goal, true, but with a level of technique that would have won Messi the Golden Ball had it come from his foot.

I'm lucky to live at home with my parents so this is why I just need to earn around £100 a week to pay the bills I need to per month. But should I earn more to get in the system for the state pension?

I have read the age at which she could take a personal pension will rise to 57 in 2028. My wife would be 53 and would have to wait four years. Is it legislated for currently? Steve Webb replies.

My wife was told she was not getting enough state pension as she was only getting 39 per cent of my payment when she should be getting 60 per cent.

My mum has always worked (some years part time) and raised three children. She is now separated from my dad. The amount she receives is way short of the full state pension.

I have just found out I'm not divorced after 30 years. My state pension is very low. I'm only getting £78 per week. My husband gets a full pension. If I get divorced now, would I get more?

Longstaff is one of the top flight's lowest earners but has still put money towards the NHS' fight against coronavirus as part of the Premier League's 'Players Together' initiative.

KIERAN GILL: Amanda Staveley could be about to become the new First Lady of Football. She is thought to have a personal fortune of £115m-plus, and is no stranger to the limelight.

The Italian left Juventus at the end of last season and has been out of work since, despite being linked with a host of teams across Europe.

Steve Bruce was an unpopular choice to replace Rafael Benitez, but Sam Allardyce insists Newcastle must stick with the former Sunderland boss once the takeover is complete.

EXCLUSIVE BY CRAIG HOPE: Sources close to the £300million deal being brokered by Amanda Staveley say it would be 'wrong' to make an immediate managerial change.

The bid to take over the club is being chaired by Mohammed bin Salman, who is the defence minister. He oversaw the devastating Yemen attacks that caused a humanitarian crisis.

After Asprilla pledged to provide 3.5million contraceptives due to a global shortage, the Colombian unveiled his latest ambitious proposal to ensure his customers can still be supplied.

Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik remains in talks over a new contract to stay at the club and reports linking to him an exit are 'only rumours', according to his agent.

According to ESPN, the club's new owners are looking to bring in a high-profile manager which will spell the end of Bruce's one-season stint at the club.

The imminent takeover at Newcastle United has fuelled talk of the club once again challenging at the top of the Premier League. Sportsmail has taken a look at possible transfer targets.

Pochettino was relieved of his duties at Spurs back in November, but the club continue to pay his substantial £8.5m-a-year wages, and now the Argentine is being linked with Newcastle.

The Human Rights Foundation have become the latest campaign group to write to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters condemning the takeover of Newcastle.

The Saudi consortium's proposed takeover means that they are set to hold an 80 per cent stake in the club, putting American Henry Mauriss' attempt to buy Newcastle on the back burner.

First-team players are expected to return to training next week, providing Government's formal review and Premier League shareholders' meeting agree to finish the current campaign.

Newcastle's proposed takeover would rocket them into the bracket of the world's wealthiest sports club. Temuri Ketsbaia feels the spending would have to be ruthless from day one.

The Magpies are the subject of a £300million takeover bid backed by Saudi's Public Investment Fund, and if that is ratified the club would become one of the richest in Europe.

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: England’s win here means Pakistan still haven’t won a series in this country since 1996. But this was their third draw out of five in that time, including a thrilling 2-2 in 2016.

The Liverpool left-back was in the side which were brushed aside 4-0 by the Red Devils in a friendly at Hampden Park in September last year.

England and the Czechs are level on six points - although Gareth Southgate's side have played a game less - with Kosovo a point further back after a late 3-2 defeat of Bulgaria in Sofia.

Romelu Lukaku last night apologised to former manager Steve Clarke after putting Scotland to the sword in Brussels. The Manchester United superstar struck twice in a 3-0 win.

Manchester United held formal discussions with Inter Milan over the 26-year-old Belgium striker in London on Thursday, although it's understood that no formal offer has been made.

The 33-year-old made his managerial bow for Anderlecht, but his tenure got off to a rocky start. Kompany was still afforded a rapturous response, although his team were jeered at full time.

Romelu Lukaku was 'bored' at Manchester United and needed to leave for his own happiness, according to his international boss Roberto Martinez. 

If there is an edge to the game, then it comes from recent unflattering comments by the Danes about the Irish style of play. Now the manager intends to use those words as a motivational tool.

Belgium have been charged by UEFA for the gaffe that saw Dedryck Boyata wearing Michy Batshuayi's shirt during their Euro 2020 qualifying victory over Russia. 

Prince Harry and Meghan have been in the UK performing their last royal duties before starting their new lives in Canada. The Duke stayed in Britain while Meghan returned to their new home.