Stephanie Roche said that she is "a little bit raw" and "disappointed" at not winning Fifa’s Puskas award at the Ballon D’Or ceremony in Zurich, but expressed thanks to "everybody from around the world" that voted, "particularly those back in Ireland".

One David Hickey, with an address in Wales, was moved to put pen to paper after watching the recent England-Germany women’s international on television.

EURO 2016 Group D Qualifier

Angel di Maria inspired Argentina on a Dusseldorf mission over their World Cup final conquerors Germany as the Manchester United new boy scored once and set up three goals in a 4-2 victory.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again. This seems to be key in any great sporting triumph.

Nostalgia isn’t what it used to, not after this World Cup. For ever and day we hear of how things were better long, long ago and how really the present is a pale shadow of the past.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm has retired from international football.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm is set to announce his retirement from international football with immediate effect, according to Germany’s Bild newspaper.

Fifa has defended its decision to ban Nico Rosberg from carrying an image of the World Cup on his celebratory helmet for this weekend’s German Grand Prix.

FIFA has defended its decision to ban Nico Rosberg from carrying an image of the World Cup on his celebratory helmet for this weekend’s German Grand Prix.

Martin O’Neill now knows that Ireland’s European Championship qualifying group will contain the reigning world champions, after Germany’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the Maracana on Sunday.

Given the journey, the signatures secured, the football legends greeted, how fitting it was that Mike Griffin’s time in Rio de Janeiro ended with World Cup winner Mesut Ozil scribbling on his neck.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is targeting further glory with Germany after finally winning his first major trophy with the national side.

Claiming a fourth World Cup title wasn’t enough for Germany, as they helped to set a host of social media records during their 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final.

A thrilling World Cup packed full of stunning goals came to an end last night when Germany beat Argentina at the Maracana in Brazil to be crowned world champions for the fourth time.

Thousands of Argentine football fans gathered on the golden sands of Copacabana beach gasped and then fell into silence when Germany scored a stunning extra-time goal to claim the World Cup title.

Germany 1 Argentina 0

An Irish soccer fan, who was in the stands for the World Cup semi-final between Germany and Brazil, is the envy of his pals after leaving the stadium with one of the match balls.

Germany 1 Argentina 0 (after extra-time)

Germany have won the World Cup by beating Argentina 1-0 after extra-time in the final in Rio de Janeiro.

As Germany and Argentina prepare to contest tomorrow’s decider at the Maracana, there is one last opportunity for a sensational World Cup to finally achieve greatness

The final postcards from Brazil

The Italian official accused last week of favouring Argentina and Lionel Messi has been chosen to referee their World Cup final against Germany.

Holland coach Louis van Gaal remains convinced the World Cup was set up to favour hosts Brazil.

Sergio Romero came back to haunt Louis van Gaal as Argentina beat Holland on penalties to reach the World Cup final.

Just when Brazilians thought it couldn’t get any worse after Tuesday night’s total humiliation in Belo Horizonte, they must now dry their tears and play host to their final from hell.

Argentina 0 Netherlands 0. (AET) (Argentina win 4-2 on penalties)

Welcome to your Thursday morning briefing. Let us ensure you’re up to speed on what’s happening and are prepared for the day ahead.

THE BANNER held up in the Argentine end depicted Pope Francis with his disciples on either side.

Brazil woke up to a new footballing catastrophe this morning, 64 years after it experienced the ’Maracanazo’ when the hosts lost in the final of the first World Cup on their soil.

World Cup Semi-Final 

Germany 7 Brazil 1

Neymar is convinced that Brazil can win the World Cup without him.

WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINAL:

France 0 Germany 1

WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINAL:

Germany 2 Algeria 1 (AET) (Score 0-0 after 90 minutes)

It is almost too cliched to seem possible; the manager of the American national side spending his free time driving a VW camper van driving from beach to beach, looking for the perfect surf spot.

Uruguay captain Diego Lugano described Luis Suarez’s four-month ban as ‘an act of barbarity’ that breaches the player’s human rights.

Colombia 2 Uruguay 0

This country’s Bureau Of Tropical Diseases has issued an urgent warning about an expected massive outbreak of yellow fever next Friday.

Uruguay captain Diego Lugano has described Luis Suarez’s four-month ban as an act of “barbarity” that breaches the player’s human rights.

Luis Suarez’s previous record for biting may be used in evidence when disciplinary chiefs consider the case against him for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, Fifa has confirmed.

Ecuador 0 France 0