Cristiano Ronaldo struck the winning goal to help Real Madrid become European champions, while Marin Cilic made an impressive comeback after a ban to claim the US Open crown in September.
Also, Germany defeated Argentina to become football world champions. Rediff.com brings you the last instalment of the Best Sports Photos of the Year!
DON'T MISS: BEST Sports Photos of the Year! (Part 1 and Part 2)
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammate Alvaro Morata (left) after scoring a penalty against Atletico Madrid during their Champions League final at the Luz Stadium in Lisbon on May 24. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Rafael Nadal of Spain cries as he attends the trophy ceremony after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia to win the French Open men's singles final at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on June 8. Photograph: Jean-Paul Pelissier/Reuters
China's Shang Chunsong prepares to compete in the uneven bars event of the women's individual all-around final artistic gymnastics competition at the Namdong Gymnasium Club during the 17th Asian Games in Incheon on September 23. Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters
Germany's players lift the World Cup trophy as they celebrate their 2014 World Cup final win against Argentina at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters
Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu reacts in the "kiss and cry" area during the Figure Skating Men's Short Program at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 13. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
Boys watch a screening of the 2014 World Cup Group A match between Brazil and Mexico, at the slum of Varjao on the outskirts of Brasilia in Brazil on June 17. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino
Paulo Goncalves of Portugal reacts as his Honda catches fire during the fifth stage of the Dakar Rally 2014 from Chilecito to Tucuman, Argentina, on January 9. Photograph: Reuters
Ifeoma Nwoye of Nigeria is carried away by her coach after losing her women's freestyle 55kg wrestling semi-final to Brittanee Laverdure of Canada at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 31. Photograph: Andrew Winning/Reuters
Shaun White of the US crashes during the men's snowboard halfpipe final event at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games on February 11. Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
Marin Cilic of Croatia celebrates after defeating Kei Nishikori of Japan to win the US Open men's singles final in New York on September 8. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
