It may not have been a vintage World Cup final but it was definitely one to forget for top bookie Paddy Power.
The Irish firm had pledged to refund a massive range of losing bets if it finished 0-0, and the goalless draw in the 90 minutes triggered the costly refund of €500,000.
Looking ahead to 2014 and despite tonight’s all European World Cup final, five-time champions Brazil have been installed as the bookies favourites to win the next World Cup.
With home advantage in 2014 the Samba Kings are currently 3/1 with Paddy Power to win a record sixth FIFA World Cup Championships ahead of Argentina, at 11/2, and new world champions Spain at 13/2. England are considered 14/1 shots while Ireland are massive 125/1 outsiders.
2014 World Cup Outright Betting:
3/1 Brazil
11/2 Argentina
13/2 Spain
10/1 Germany
12/1 Holland
16/1 Italy
14/1 England
20/1 France
25/1 Portugal
40/1 Uruguay, Chile, Russia
50/1 Ivory Coast, Mexico, Paraguay, Turkey
66/1 Ghana, Cameroon, Serbia, Nigeria, United States, Sweden
80/1 Egypt, Algeria
100/1 Australia, Denmark, Slovakia, Switzerland
125/1 Ireland, Greece
150/1 South Korea, Japan
200/1 Slovenia, Scotland
250/1 South Africa
500/1 New Zealand, Wales, Northern Ireland