The 16 Greatest moments the internet gave this World Cup
There's been something different about this World Cup. Not just the number of goals and the fascinating statistics - the way we've watched the game has changed.
Sure, we all had an internet connection , but the way we watch TV, with a second screen in hand, has changed. Twitter is about eight times larger than it was in 2010, and Reddit has become a worldwide source of user-created gags and videos.
So, as the World Cup fever winds down, here are some of the best captured moments, gags and remixes that we got from the wonderful world of The Internet over the last month.
Tim Howard’s record-breaking 16 in the USA - Belgium game enters the record books as the most shots on target saved in a single World Cup game. Ever.
And thanks to the wonders of internet content providers, here they are, all together.
@ballsdotie No escaping the Irish..! 'Up Cavan' pic.twitter.com/Gog12aJqhe
— Andrew Knight (@andrewknightt) June 21, 2014
Cavan. 'Tis a mighty place. Best tell the world about it so, with a little help from the live ITV broadcast from Martin O'Neill and Patrick Viera.
Originally uploaded as a six-second Vine clip, Roy Hodgson summarised England's appalling campaign better than anyone else ever could have.
Mike Griffin headed off to Rio for the World Cup - but he packed his Na Gaeil Tralee Club jersey to bring with him. And get signed by as many superstars as possible. When he gets back, he's auctioning it off for charity.
So far, he's met Robin Van Persie, Van Nistelrooy, Diego Maradona and many more.
Legendary. He was interviewed by Radio Kerry here, which is worth listening to, and has a whole Facebook page too.
Just Suarez. Bites another player in front of the entire planet, and threw himself down on the ground in agony. He would later go on to say Giorgio Chiellini “suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me”.
Even the super-official Press Association issued the above “file photo” an hour later. Coincidence, we’re sure.
The internet, however, was having none of that nonsense, and quickly made hay of Suarez's dental error.
Herrera is easily one of the most popular coaches on the planet. He’s a player’s coach, whose goal celebrations are so excited he’s like a kid at Christmas.
He’s particularly famous for his screaming-in-the-rain celebration that has become an internet sensation - with a little Photoshop help to turn him into a super-powered Saiyan warrior.
“Stop the damn match! Oh my god in heaven!” - Germany truly laid the smackdown on Brazil, so it’s only fitting that WWE commentary legend Jim Ross should add his touch to the brutal footage.
It’s pure evil, really. That maniacal laugh says it all.
The greatest Tumblr that ever existed, created mere minutes after that fateful game. It does exactly what is says on the tin - pictures of sad Brazilians. Many sad Brazilians.
It was all a bit too much for Alejandro Sabella - he just couldn’t take the pressure when Gonzalo Higuain hit the bar in the quarter-final against Belgium - and toppled backwards in what appeared to be a faint.
Naturally, the internet came to the rescue with a catalogue of clever Photoshop jobs placing the prostrate coach in all manner of scenarios. Good job, internet. Good job.
Ah jaysus Eamo. Would ya f***in’ leave it out?.
What. A. Goal. Captured for posterity, and Photoshopped to extremes. Beautiful.
Still one of the funniest World Cup moments... http://t.co/rfYKTK6R2G
— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) July 10, 2014
This guy. Made look like a fool in live international TV in front of millions. Just .
Colombian James Rodriguez was the centre of attention as he scored a penalty against Brazil - and someone else hitched along for the ride. The giant insect - some kind of grasshopper - perched on the player's bicep just as he was celebrating for the cameras, resulting in this perfect photo:
James Rodriguez: "Say hello to my little friend..." #grasshopper #rteworldcup pic.twitter.com/ydqtcblioR
— Ed Leahy (@Ed_Leahy) July 4, 2014
Most players would be keen to forget the day they became their nation's hero, but hit the crossbar instead. No so Mauricio Pinilla. Instead, he immortalised the 119th-minute shot by having it tattooed to his body, along with the words: "one centimetre from glory".
He also got a face tattoo, but that's just silly.
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And there you have it. Some of our favourite moments captured by friendly internet -goers.
We can’t wait to see what 2018 is like.
