World Cup Final in pictures

New Zealand ended a 24-year World Cup drought when they edged France 8-7 in an epic Final in Auckland on Sunday.

In a game of inches the teams scored one try each, but a Stephen Donald penalty trumped a Francois Trinh-Duc conversion.

And then the curse of the flyhalves struck again, as Aaron Cruden injured his knee late in the first half and Donald stepped up to slot what turned out to be the winner.

The French had their chances, such as a missed penalty by Trinh-Duc with just over 10 minutes to go, but in the end the scoreboard will reflect on the All Blacks as the victors.

We bring you some of the best pictures from the game:

Graham Henry and Richie McCaw with the Webb Ellis Cup:

New Zealand and France face off at the Haka:

Prop Tony Woodcock scores the All Blacks' try:

An injured Aaron Cruden is helped off in the first half:

French captain Thierry Dusautoir scores his team's try:

Replacement No.10 Francois Trinh-Duc goes on the run for France:

Kiwi replacement Stephen Donald makes a clean break:

The winners...

... and the losers:

Pictures by Getty Images