As the Germany players celebrated their World Cup victory, their WAGs could not resist joining the on-field party at the Maracana.

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.

It was a World Cup full of stunning goals, epic entertainment, brilliant performances and many shocks. Sportsmail's Chris Wheeler reflects on Brazil 2014 and lists 10 reasons why it was the best ever.

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?

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

Fred has retired from international football at the age of 30 after Brazil's disappointing World Cup campaign came to an end. He scored 18 goals in 39 games.

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.

Ray Whelan, the English director of FIFA's official ticket and hospitality partners MATCH, is in police custody after handing himself in to a judge in Rio de Janeiro several days after being declared 'a fugitive' by police investigating a ticket touting ring.

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.

BRIAN BARWICK: This has been a hugely enjoyable World Cup for viewers and one that England’s early exit failed to diminish.

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.

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.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY ROB DRAPER: The best coaches are always learning, sometimes even from their players. Vincent Kompany helped Martinez plot the downfall of Brazil at the World Cup.

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku declared that he has been 'a man on a mission' ever since Belgium's third-placed finish at the 2018 World Cup.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has suggested that the United States could host the 2022 World Cup if the tournament is taken away from Qatar.

EXCLUSIVE BY WILL KELLEHER: As agreed long before coronavirus shut down the sport, the idea next summer is that England will tour the USA and Canada while the Lions are in South Africa.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The England legend has been answering all of your questions, ranging from the serious to the funny, on subjects such sport obsession and how to drop players.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: These are difficult times for all sports but I believe such moments create a time for organisations to demonstrate they are in touch with the world around them.

The central defender has been a key man for the Anfield club over the last few seasons, having helped them win the Champions League in his first full campaign on Merseyside.

WILL KELLEHER IN TOKYO: Josh Adams (left) is the Rugby World Cup's top try-scorer and is now ready to start a semi-final against South Africa as Wales' prime attacking weapon.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY MATT BARLOW: When Steve Cooper pulls on his runners and lets the morning air of the Welsh coast declutter his mind, his thoughts drift back to the thrill of his first derby.

Dan Biggar (left) admitted it was 'tough to take' after Wales' World Cup dream ended in Yokohama. Wales' 19-16 semi-final loss to South Africa means they will face New Zealand in the third place play-off.

Warren Gatland questioned whether England might have played their World Cup final a game early as Welsh interest in the Webb Ellis Trophy ended in Yokohama.

Warren Gatland's side were trailing the Springboks 6-9 when the Ospreys player pulled up in the 40th minute with half-time looming.

Retired scrum-half Mike Phillips admits he felt for Wales after they missed out on the Rugby World Cup final with a 19-16 defeat by South Africa.

Eddie Jones went undercover in Yokohoma - disguising himself as a fan of the NFL's Houston Texans as he scouted Rugby World Cup final opponents South Africa against Wales. 

WILL KELLEHER AND NIK SIMON AT THE YOKOHAMA STADIUM: South Africa edged a battling Wales in a tight World Cup semi-final on Sunday to book their spot in the tournament decider.

CHRIS FOY AT THE YOKOHAMA STADIUM: Some time soon, Welsh rugby will realise what it has had and what it has lost. Not this World Cup campaign, but their coach and captain.

WILL KELLEHER IN TOKYO: The Boks might be boring, but their boss Rassie Erasmus does not care. South Africa have faced criticism for their limited, combative style at the World Cup.

WILL KELLEHER IN TOKYO: The Wales and Saracens star would have stayed in Japan if Wales had made the final, but flew back on Monday and has since undergone surgery on the injury.

WILL KELLEHER IN TOKYO: Warren Gatland joked Wales would rather play a drinking game against New Zealand than play the third-fourth playoff - but says his squad will be motivated to beat them.

Warren Gatland's Welsh career ended in defeat on Friday as Wales were beaten by the All Blacks in the bronze medal match in Tokyo. Relive the match with JAMES DUTTON.

WILL KELLEHER AT THE AJINOMOTO STADIUM: Tears, beers and cheers for departing stars of the game here in Japan, as several glittering eras all ended at once.

The Welsh Rugby Union announced the news, with Jonathan Davies set to be out for more than six months because of a left knee injury suffered. Rhys Patchell has a shoulder issue.

Sportsmail sensationally revealed that Howley had been sent home from Japan on the eve of the World Cup after a bookmaker, Betway, alerted the WRU of a rule breach.

The Wales assistant coach broke his silence on Tuesday after a three-month investigation found he had placed 363 bets over four years, including on his own team.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The 2020 Six Nations campaign will begin on Saturday, February 1 with a number of teams eyeing glory in this year's competition.

Eddie Jones has urged Joe Marler not to quit rugby and has scheduled a meeting with the prop once the lockdown is over. Marler was handed a 10-week ban for grabbing Alun Wyn Jones' genitals.

SPORTS AGENDA BY MIKE KEEGAN: Eddie Jones has included lessons on Japanese history as part of England's World Cup preparations

Archer was England's leading wicket-taker in their triumphant World Cup campaign and followed that up by making a huge impact during the Ashes, as he took 22 wickets at an average of 20.27.

After the Lord Mayor’s show of Euro 2016, Wales provided an emphatic performance to indicate more good times on the big stage lie ahead after defeating Moldova 4-0 in Cardiff.

PETER CROUCH: England legend and new Sportsmail signing Jill Scott is nicknamed after Peter Crouch - so who better to interview her than the man himself?

Ghana were on the verge of becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final when they were awarded a penalty in added time of extra time after a Luis Suarez's handball.