体坛英语新闻：Feature: The best and worst of Brazil 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The 2014 World Cup has provided no shortage of memorable moments. Some have provided fans with joy, others with sadness and frustration. Here are eight major talking points from Brazil 2014.

1) Brazilian heartache

The tournament hosts had waited 64 years for a shot at redemption for the infamous Maracanazo. But instead of erasing the painful memory of that loss to Uruguay - which cost them a coveted World Cup triumph on home soil - the Selecao were eliminated in the semifinals. It was the manner of the defeat, a humiliating 7-1 capitulation to Germany, that was the cause for most pain. The result equalled the Selecao's worst ever losing margin and prompted an outpouring of grief on Brazil's streets.

2) Luis Suarez

Having undergone keyhole knee surgery in late May, Luis Suarez made a miraculous recovery to score both goals in Uruguay's 2-1 victory over England in Sao Paulo. But the 27-year-old's World Cup unravelled spectacularly when he bit Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay's final group match against Italy, which the South Americans won 1-0. The incident was not seen by referee Marco Rodriguez, but Chiellini's furious reaction - he pulled down his shirt to reveal teeth marks on his shoulder - was all the evidence FIFA needed to act. It took the body's disciplinary committee just two days to hand Suarez a four month-ban from all football-related activity, including a nine-match international suspension. It was the third time in his career that Suarez has been found guilty of biting an opponent, having been punished for the same offence in 2010 and 2013.

3) James Rodriguez - the new pibe

In the absence of their injured talisman Radamel Falcao, Colombia needed somebody to step up if they were to progress beyond the group stage. And James Rodriguez did just that. The Monaco playmaker inspired Los Cafeteros to the quarterfinals for their first time in their history with a series of superb individual performances that confirmed his standing as one of football's emerging stars. He was not only the midfield fulcrum of Jose Pekerman's side, but their leading scorer with five goals and provided leadership that belied his 22 years. His first-half goal against Uruguay at the Maracana stadium - a jaw-dropping volley from outside the penalty box - will be remembered as one of the all-time great World Cup goals.

4) Spain - The End

That is how Madrid-based newspaper Marca summed up Spain's exit at the group stage. Losses in their first two matches against the Netherlands and Chile signalled an end to six years of dominance that included two European titles and a World Cup. While some had predicted tougher times for Vicente del Bosque's team, none forecast such an abrupt demise. They salvaged some pride with a 3-0 victory over Australia in the last group match in Curitiba. It signalled not only the finale of a disastrous World Cup campaign but the end of an era. David Villa has already announced his international retirement while doubts hang over the futures of Xavi Hernandez, Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso with La Roja.

5) Italy dumped out in first round - again

They arrived as one of the tournament favorites but Cesare Prandelli's team left as one of the major disappointments of Brazil 2014. The Azzurri won their first match against England 2-1 in the sweltering heat of Manaus before losing to Costa Rica and Uruguay, both with 1-0 scorelines. Having won football's most prized trophy for a fourth time in 2006, Italy have now been sent packing after the group stage in successive tournaments. Following the defeat to Uruguay in Natal, Prandelli tendered his resignation, admitting he must take the blame for his team's underperformance.

6) Netherlands - the pragmatists

Having begun to stray from their long-nurtured Total Football philosophy under Bert van Marwijk, in 2010, the Dutch have thrown it out the window in Brazil. Louis van Gaal, once a loyal disciple of the playing style the Netherlands made famous at the 1974 World Cup, has become football's most accomplished pragmatist. Several times throughout the tournament he has abandoned his preferred 4-3-3 formation to meet the needs of the occasion. And each time he has been successful. His second-half changes helped swing matches the Netherlands' way against Spain, Australia and Mexico. Van Gaal's decision to replace goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen with Tim Krul for the penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica, was perhaps the finest example of his tactical guile.

7) Argentina defence

Long ridiculed as their weakness, the Albileceleste's defence has improved as the tournament has progressed. In the past two matches, coach Alejandro Sabella has settled on the center-half pairing of Martin Demichelis and Ezequiel Garay. On both occasions - against the Netherlands and Belgium - Argentina have kept clean sheets. In fact, Sabella's side had not conceded a goal for 372 minutes before Sunday's final. Goalkeeper Sergio Romero has been key to the team's frugality, underlining his importance with two saves in the Albiceleste's penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday.

8) Neuer the sweeper

Just when many thought the libero was a relic of the past, Manuel Neuer has bought the role back into vogue. Not since the days of Colombia's Rene Higuita has a goalkeeper been so predisposed to charging out of his 18-yard box. The tactic has effectively provided Germany with an extra man in defence while reducing the threat of his team being caught on the counterattack. But while Neuer's brazen play has won widespread plaudits, not all are convinced of his methods. Franz Beckenbauer is one who believes the Bayern Munich stopper has at times left Germany exposed. "On occasions against Algeria [in the round of 16] things really did get dangerously close," Germany's former World Cup-winning captain and coach said. "If Neuer had been a fraction of a second too late, he might have seen a red card."