Sixty-four games after a spectacular opening ceremony in Munich's impressive Allianz-Arena, Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro was left hoisting the most recognisable trophy in world sport following an eventful evening in Berlin.

But who were the stars of the tournament? Which was the best of the 147 goals? What was the best game?

TheFA.com shares a few thoughts...

Best player: Fabio Cannavaro

We have resisted choosing Zinedine Zidane in favour of the Juventus defender who led his country to World Cup glory, despite the problems currently surrounding Italian football.

Brave and with a wonderful ability to be in the right place at the right time, Cannavaro marked his 100th appearance for his country by lifting the World Cup.

Does it get any better?

Zidane, Miroslav Klose and Lilian Thuram were contenders.

Best team performance: Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro

The South Americans produced a breathtaking display of football to destroy Serbia & Montenegro in Group C.

Graceful and effortless, Argentina turned in the most complete performance of the tournament to produce goals for Esteban Cambiasso, Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi and a brace from the impressive Maxi Rodriguez.

Jose Pekerman's side suddenly became everyone's tip for the cup, until they met Germany in the quarter finals.

Best goal: Esteban Cambiasso v Serbia & Montenegro

In a tournament where long-range shots were the order of the day, Argentina produced a masterclass in passing to score the goal of the World Cup.

After a patient 21 pass build-up, Juan Roman Riquelme and Javier Saviola linked up to slide the ball inside to Esteban Cambiasso.

The Inter Milan midfielder passed first time to Hernan Crespo who took a touch before backheeling the ball into the path of Cambiasso to slam home from 12 yards.

It was a goal Diego Maradona, celebrating wildly in the crowd, would have been proud of.

Other stunners included Philip Lahm and Torsten Frings versus Costa Rica, Joe Cole's opener against Sweden and Maxi Rodriguez's winner over Mexico.

Best game: Ivory Coast v Serbia & Montenegro

Tournament debutants Ivory Coast had been tipped to cause a shock in the tournament, but the Africans looked set to suffer the ignominy of three straight defeats when they found themselves 2-0 down after just 20 minutes of their final group game with Serbia & Montenegro.

But, in a game where both sides were reduced to ten men, The Ivorians, inspired by Aruna Dindane, pulled off a stunning victory.

Dindane halved the deficit from the spot in the 37th minute, albeit at the second attempt after the referee ordered the penalty to be retaken. The same player then nodded in an equaliser after 67 minutes before Bonaventure Kalou sealed an unlikely win from the spot.

It was the Ivory Coast's first World Cup win, and just enough to shade a cracking semi-final between Italy and Germany and Australia's thrilling 3-1 win over Japan, where Tim Cahill proved the match-winner in a late turnaround.

Do you agree with our views? Send your World Cup highs and lows to editor@TheFA.com.