The group stages of this thrilling World Cup ended on Thursday.

Here, the Daily Echo looks at some of the highlights of the tournament so far.

BIGGEST SHOCK: Spain 1 Holland 5, June 13.

A result that sent shockwaves through world football. Reigning champions Spain took the lead in the first half when Xabi Alonso converted a penalty, but Robin van Persie scored a stunning header to equalise before half-time. Holland ruthlessly ripped Spain apart after the break. Arjen Robben put Louis van Gaal's side ahead, Stefan de Vrij scored a third from Wesley Sneijder's free-kick and then Van Persie dispossessed goalkeeper Iker Casillas to make it four. Robben completed the rout which could have signalled the death of tiki-taka football.

MOST PREDICTABLE: England flop. Again.

The Football Association spent a vast amount of money on two warm-weather training camps, it employed a world-renowned psychiatrist, a nutritionist, video analysts, sports scientists, an extra fitness trainer, and a chef. It installed heat chambers at St George's Park, placed huge industrial cooling fans in the dressing rooms in Brazil and even analysed the players' sweat patterns. But, none of that mattered in the end. England once again failed to live up to expectations at a World Cup, exiting before the knockout stages without winning a single match.

BIGGEST CONTROVERSY: Luis Suarez's bite on Giorgio Chiellini.

Two weeks of excellent football were overshadowed by Luis Suarez, who bit an opponent for the third time in his career. This time his victim was Chiellini. Suarez sunk his teeth into the Italy defender's shoulder while jostling in the box. The incident went unpunished by the referee, who did not see the bite, but FIFA had other ideas. World football's governing body banned the Uruguay striker from "all football-related activity" for four months.

BEST TWEET: Evander Holyfield (@holyfield).

"I guess any part of the body is up for eating." - Evander Holyfield, whose ear was bitten by Mike Tyson during a heavyweight title fight in 1997, reacts to Suarez's latest indiscretion.

SURPRISE TEAM: Costa Rica.

Costa Rica were 1000-1 to win the World Cup, but they are now as short as 40-1 in places after they topped Group D, knocking England and Italy out in the process. Costa Rica's population stands at little over four million, and some of their players come from unheralded teams like Kuban Krasnodar, Alajuelense and Columbus Crew, but they beat Italy and Uruguay to progress for just the second time. If the Central Americans beat Greece in the second round, they will come up against either Holland or Mexico in the quarter-finals.

STAT OF THE TOURNAMENT.

There have been a record number of group stage goals (136) at this World Cup. The previous best (in the 32-team format) was in 2002, when 130 were scored.