The World Cup is over.
In what was perhaps the greatest straight month of soccer action in recent memory – was it really the best World Cup ever? – we saw Spain emphatically dethroned, the return of the Netherlands, the fourth all-time championship for Germany, and a valiant effort put forward by Lionel Messi, who was given FIFA's Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.
And, of course, Luis Suarez stole the show early, once again serving a suspension for biting an opponent. The victim this time was Italy's Giorgio Chiellini.
Here is a smattering of photos from Day 1 to the finish, starting with the Opening Ceremonies and ending with celebrations in Berlin. (All photos credit to The Canadian Press.)
See you in four years.
General view at the Itaquerao Stadium during an official training session the day before the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia in the Itaquerao Stadium, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, June 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
Rapper Pitbull, left, US singer Jennifer Lopez and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia, the opening game of the tournament, in the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Croatia players argue after being given a penalty by referee Yuichi Nishimura from Japan during the group A World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia, the opening game of the tournament, in the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
Mexico's Oribe Peralta celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the group A World Cup soccer match between Mexico and Cameroon in the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, Friday, June 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Netherlands' Arjen Robben kicks the ball past Spain's Sergio Ramos to score his side's second goal during the second half of the group B World Cup soccer match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Arena Ponte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Friday, June 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Wrapped in a Spanish national flag, a soccer fan reacts in frustration as she watches the live broadcast of the World Cup match between Spain and the Netherlands inside the FIFA Fan Fest area on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, June 13, 2014. The Netherlands thrashed Spain 5-1 Friday. It was a humiliating defeat for the defending World Cup champions. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Italy's Mario Balotelli (9) heads the ball past England's Gary Cahill (5) and goalkeeper Joe Hart, left, to score Italy's second goal during the group D World Cup soccer match between England and Italy at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, Saturday, June 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Colombia's Pablo Armero (7) dances with teammates in celebration after scoring during the group C World Cup soccer match between Colombia and Greece at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Saturday, June 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Ivory Coast's Gervinho celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Japan during the group C World Cup soccer match at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Saturday, June 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Brazil's Neymar, right, celebrates with teammate Hulk after scoring during the group A World Cup soccer match against Croatia in the opening game of the tournament at Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Switzerland's Admir Mehmedi celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the group E World Cup soccer match between Switzerland and Ecuador at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, June 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, center, challenges for the ball with teammates during an official training session the day before the group G World Cup soccer match between Germany and Portugal at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Sunday, June 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Paulo Duarte)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) scrambles to get back to the ball against Bosnia defenders Emir Spahic (4) and Sead Kolasinac (5) during their group F World Cup soccer match at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, June 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) races past Germany's Mario Goetze (19) during the group G World Cup soccer match between Germany and Portugal at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Monday, June 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Soccer fans pose for a photo with a woman whose body is painted with Germany's national soccer team colors, at the end of a live broadcast of the World Cup match between Portugal and Germany, inside the FIFA Fan Fest area on Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, June 16, 2014. Germany won 4-0. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Ghana's Asamoah Gyan, left, tries to get past United States' John Brooks during the group G World Cup soccer match between Ghana and the United States at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, Monday, June 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Iran's Andranik Teymourian slides under Nigeria's Ahmed Musa to take the ball away during the group F World Cup soccer match between Iran and Nigeria at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, Monday, June 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Germany's Thomas Mueller, bottom, celebrates with his teammate Sami Khedira after scoring their fourth goal during the group G World Cup soccer match between Germany and Portugal at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Monday, June 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Francois Marit, pool)
Netherlands' Arjen Robben (11) celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the group B World Cup soccer match between Australia and the Netherlands at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Wednesday, June 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Spain's Sergio Busquets reacts after missing a chance during the group B World Cup soccer match between Spain and Chile at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, June 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Uruguay's Luis Suarez, left, celebrates scoring the opening goal past England's goalkeeper Joe Hart during the group D World Cup soccer match between Uruguay and England at the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
Uruguay's Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the group D World Cup soccer match between Uruguay and England at the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Uruguay's Diego Godin, goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and referee Carlos Velasco Carballo from Spain, from left, call for medical support as Uruguay's Alvaro Pereira lies on the floor during the group D World Cup soccer match between Uruguay and England at the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, June 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball during a training session of Portugal in Campinas, Brazil, Thursday, June 19, 2014. Portugal plays in group G of the Brazil 2014 soccer World Cup. (AP Photo/Paulo Duarte)
France's Olivier Giroud, bottom right, scores the opening goal during the group E World Cup soccer match between Switzerland and France at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Friday, June 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz celebrates after scoring his side's first goal over Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon during the group D World Cup soccer match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Friday, June 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Argentina's goalkeeper Sergio Romero. right, blocks the ball after a header from Iran's Reza Ghoochannejhad during the group F World Cup soccer match between Argentina and Iran at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Saturday, June 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Ghana's Andre Ayew, left, celebrates with his teammate Mohammed Rabiu after scoring his side's first goal during the group G World Cup soccer match between Germany and Ghana at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Saturday, June 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Colombia players console Ivory Coast's Yaya Toure after the group C World Cup soccer match between Colombia and Ivory Coast at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, June 19, 2014. Colombia won the match 2-1. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's lone goal in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Iran during the group F World Cup soccer match between Argentina and Iran at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Saturday, June 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Ghana's Sulley Muntari helps to assist a man from the pitch after he ran on during the group G World Cup soccer match between Germany and Ghana at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Saturday, June 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
United States' goalkeeper Tim Howard and United States' Jermaine Jones walk off the pitch following their 2-2 draw with Portugal during the group G World Cup soccer match between the USA and Portugal at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, Sunday, June 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Netherlands' Leroy Fer celebrates scoring the opening goal during the group B World Cup soccer match between the Netherlands and Chile at the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Spain's Fernando Torres, center, celebrates with teammate Jordi Alba after scoring during the group B World Cup soccer match between Australia and Spain at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, Monday, June 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
England's Ross Barkley, right, is fouled by Costa Rica's Giancarlo Gonzalez during the group D World Cup soccer match between Costa Rica and England at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, June 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Italy's Mario Balotelli, top, collides with Uruguay's Alvaro Pereira, bottom, during the group D World Cup soccer match between Italy and Uruguay at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, Tuesday, June 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Colombia forward Jackson Martinez, right, scores past Japan defender Atsuto Uchida during the second half of a group C World Cup soccer match at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba, Brazil, Tuesday, June 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Italy's Giorgio Chiellini holds his shoulder after Uruguay's Luis Suarez ran into it with his teeth during the group D World Cup soccer match between Italy and Uruguay at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, Tuesday, June 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the group F World Cup soccer match against Nigeria at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)(AP Photo/Jon Super)
Bosnia's Avdija Vrsajevic is carried by a teammate as he celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the group F World Cup soccer match between Bosnia and Iran at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Honduras' Jorge Claros, left, tries to block a cross from Switzerland's Josip Drmic (19) during the group E World Cup soccer match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
FILE - In this June 24, 2014 file photo, Uruguay's Luis Suarez holds his teeth after biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder during the group D World Cup soccer match between Italy and Uruguay at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil. On Thursday, June 26, 2014, FIFA banned Suarez for 9 games and 4 months for biting his opponent at the World Cup. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan, File)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, runs past Ghana's Afriyie Acquah, right, after Ronaldo scored his side's 2nd goal during the group G World Cup soccer match between Portugal and Ghana at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, June 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
United States' Jermaine Jones goes with the ball as Germany's Per Mertesacker watches, at right, during the group G World Cup soccer match between the USA and Germany at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Thursday, June 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Russia's Alexander Kokorin heads the ball to score during the group H World Cup soccer match between Algeria and Russia at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, Thursday, June 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Algeria's Sofiane Feghouli celebrates after the group H World Cup soccer match between Algeria and Russia at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, Thursday, June 26, 2014. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but Algeria qualified for the round of 16. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
Italy's Giorgio Chiellini displays his shoulder showing apparent teeth marks after colliding with the mouth of Uruguay's Luis Suarez during the group D World Cup soccer match between Italy and Uruguay at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, Tuesday, June 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Fans of Uruguay's national soccer team await the arrival of Uruguay player Luis Suarez at Carrasco International Airport in the outskirts of Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, June 26, 2014. The Uruguay forward, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, was banned by FIFA from all football for four months on Thursday for biting an Italian opponent in an incident that marred the team's victory and progression to the second round. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez is seen at the Serhs Hotel in Natal, Brazil, Thursday, June 26, 2014. FIFA banned Suarez from all football activities for four months on Thursday for biting an opponent at the World Cup, a punishment that rules him out of the rest of the tournament. (AP Photo/Vlademir Alexandre)
Brazil's Neymar fights for the ball with Chile's Francisco Silva during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Chile at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Saturday, June 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Colombia's Juan Zuniga, left, gets in a shot despite the challenge of Uruguay's Alvaro Pereira during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Colombia and Uruguay at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, June 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Brazil's goalkeeper Julio Cesar saves a penalty by Chile's Mauricio Pinilla in a shoot out at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Chile at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Saturday, June 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Netherlands' Klaas-Jan Huntelaar celebrates after scoring his side's second goal from the penalty spot during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the Netherlands and Mexico at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Sunday, June 29, 2014. Holland won 2-1 and advanced to the quarterfinal. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Costa Rica and Greece at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Sunday, June 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Costa Rica soccer fans celebrate their team's victory over Greece at a Brazil World Cup round of 16 game in San Jose, Costa Rica, Sunday, June 29, 2014. Costa Rica won a penalty shootout 5-3 after the match ended 1-1 following extra time. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
In this June 4, 2014, file photo, Uruguay's President Jose Mujica, left, gives Uruguay's captain Diego Lugano the national flag before an international friendly soccer match against Slovenia in Montevideo, Uruguay. Uruguay's famously casual President is tossing some earthy expletives at FIFA as he welcomed Uruguay's team back from the World Cup oon Sunday June 29, over its four-month ban of Luis Suarez. Uruguayans overwhelmingly criticized FIFA's decision to ban Suarez from nine national team games and four months for biting an Italian defender. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico, File)
Referee Mark Geiger from the U.S marks a fail to France's Blaise Matuidi (14) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between France and Nigeria at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, June 30, 2014. At left is France's Yohan Cabaye.(AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
An Argentine supporter has stuffed-toy World Cup mascots attached to his sunglasses before the group F World Cup soccer match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Germany's Andre Schuerrle, left, takes a shot past Germany's Benedikt Hoewedes during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Germany and Algeria at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Monday, June 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
France soccer fans, with their faces painted with their team's colors arrive at the National Stadium to watch World Cup round of 16 match against Nigeria, in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, June 30, 2014. France's Paul Pogba scored with a late header to finally break Nigeria's stubborn resistance and Joseph Yobo scored an own-goal as France won 2-0 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals on Monday. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne, center right, celebrates scoring the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
United States' goalkeeper Tim Howard reacts after Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne scored the opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Tuesday, July 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Germany's Mats Hummels, left, scores on a header during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Germany and France at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Francois Xavier Marit, pool)
Brazil's Thiago Silva, center, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Brazil's Neymar is carried away on a stretcher during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Bensch, pool)
Brazil's Neymar, bottom, falls beside Colombia's Juan Zuniga during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza, Brazil, Friday, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Argentina's Lionel Messi, right, walks away after fouling Belgium's Axel Witsel during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Argentina and Belgium at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, July 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Argentina's Lionel Messi and teammates celebrate at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Argentina and Belgium at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, July 5, 2014. Argentina won 1-0. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
Netherlands' Arjen Robben falls over Costa Rica's Cristian Gamboa (16) after heading the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Saturday, July 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Germany's Mesut Ozil, left, and Brazil's Maicon go for a header during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Germany's Miroslav Klose, right, takes on Brazil's David Luiz during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Francois Xavier Marit, Pool)
Germany's Sami Khedira, bottom, scores his side's 5th goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, Pool)
Soccer fans watch the World Cup semifinal match between the Netherlands and Argentina in the Itaquerao Stadium, in Sao Paulo Brazil, Wednesday, July 9, 2014. The match remained scoreless at haltime (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
Brazil's Daniel Alves kicks the ball during practice at the Granja Comary training center in Teresopolis, Brazil, Friday, July 11, 2014. Brazil will face the Netherlands in the World Cup third-place match Saturday. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
In this July 4, 2014 file photo, Brazil's Neymar screams out after being fouled during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Brazil and Colombia in Fortaleza, Brazil. The greatest injustice of the Brazil World Cup was Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo letting play run on as Neymar howled in agony face down in the turf, his third vertebra fractured. Without its best player, Brazil was then demolished by Germany. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)
Netherlands' Robin van Persie celebrates after scoring his team's first goal on a penalty shot during the World Cup third-place soccer match between Brazil and the Netherlands at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, July 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Brazil's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, second left, stands with his players after the World Cup third-place soccer match between Brazil and the Netherlands at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, July 12, 2014. The Netherlands won the match 3-0. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Netherlands' head coach Louis van Gaal gestures during the World Cup third-place soccer match between Brazil and the Netherlands at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, July 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, and Germany's Mats Hummels go downfield during the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Argentina's Lionel Messi spits up as Germany's Mats Hummels walks by during the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Fireworks illuminate the sky as German fans celebrate their team after Germany won against Argentina by 1-0 at the soccer World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at a public viewing area called 'Fan Mile' in Berlin, early Monday July 14, 2014. (AP Photo/dpa,.Britta Pedersen)
