Every World Cup brings its share of surprises and disappointments and the 2014 edition was no exception. If anything, it was one of the most surprising of all time with a plethora of major story lines dominating headlines.
Here are the most shocking stories from the group round.
On Thursday, the group stage of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil came to an end. That date also featured the third match of Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup campaign and an opportunity to compare his performance with that of his perennial rival Lionel Messi. Here's how the two stack up
Argentina's Sergio Aguero fights for the ball against Iran's Mehrdad Pouladi during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte June 21, 2014. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger Jun 26 2014
Russia's Sergey Ignashevich (L) and teammate Alexander Kokorin react as they walk off the field after the match against Algeria at the 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match at the Baixada arena in Curitiba June 26, 2014. REUTERS/Henry Romero Jun 26 2014
Algeria's coach Vahid Halilhodzic celebrates after their 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match against Russia at the Baixada arena in Curitiba June 26, 2014. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh Jun 26 2014
Germany's Thomas Mueller (3rd R) celebrates after scoring a goal with teammates as Matt Besler of the U.S. walks past during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 26, 2014. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh Jun 26 2014
The Belgium team celebrate after their 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match against South Korea at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo June 26, 2014. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh Jun 26 2014
Uruguay's national soccer team player Luis Suarez attends a news conference prior a training session at the Dunas Arena soccer stadium in Natal, June 23, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Jun 26 2014
South Korea's coach Hong Myung-bo (L) consoles South Korea's Son Heung-min as he cries while teammate Han Kook-young watches after their 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match against Belgium at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo June 26, 2014. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh Jun 26 2014
Russia's coach Fabio Capello gestures during his team's 2014 World Cup Group H soccer match against Algeria at the Baixada arena in Curitiba June 26, 2014. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh Jun 26 2014
Russia's national soccer team coach Fabio Capello attends a news conference at the Arena Baixada soccer stadium, a day before the team's match against Algeria, in Curitiba June 25, 2014. REUTERS/Henry Romero Jun 26 2014
As controversial and bizarre as Luis Suarez's biting incident during the 2014 World Cup was, for which he was suspended there have been some pretty bizarre in-game incidents in sports over the last few years. From Mike Tyson's bite to NBA brawls, Latin Post.com takes a look at some of the most bizarre sports-related incidents and suspensions in recent memory
The United States booked a berth in the Round of 16 despite losing 1-0 against the Germany. The team earned the right to move on thanks to a late tally from Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal's 2-1 win over Ghana. Here are some observations from the US's loss.
Robert Roche of the American Indian Education Center is leading the charge against the Cleveland Indians name and logo. See what is at stake for MLB, the Cleveland Indians and Native Americans.
Highly acclaimed designers Pharrell Williams, Roberto Cavalli, Missoni, and Rick Owens have redesigned the official soccer balls from FIFA World Cup 2014 to raise money for a good cause.
Luis Suarez will not play in Uruguay’s next nine World Cup matches after FIFA handed a stiff sanction to the embattled striker for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during their group stage match on Wednesday.
The Houston Rockets are clearing cap space this off-season. The team recently traded away center Omer Asik in exchange for a first round pick. Does this mean Jeremy Lin is on his way out? Or could it mean that a superstar is on his way in?
Russia and Algeria will collide in all-important Group H game on Thursday with the winner likely progressing to the knockout stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
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