New York Giants v New England Patriots: how Super Bowl XLVI unfolded - in pictures

Will punts prove decisive at Super Bowl XLVI? New York Giants punter Steve Weatherford warms up before kick-off Photograph: David J. Phillip/AP

A moment: The Giants' Aaron Ross and his team-mates prepare for battle Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Coin toss: Giants call tails but it's heads: the Patriots break that long run of coin toss losses for the AFC and will kick the ball … Photograph: Jeff Haynes/Reuters

SAFETY! Giants 2, Patriots 0 8:52 1st quarter: Brady is in the pocket for the first time, he drops, finally comes under pressure, throws the ball downfield to nobody and then is called for intentional grounding from the end zone Photograph: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

TOUCHDOWN! Giants 8, Patriots 0 4:20 1st quarter: Bradshaw makes a yard or two on the first attempt. Manning throws to Cruuuuz. Touchdown Photograph: Charlie Riedel/AP

FIELD GOAL Giants 9, Patriots 3 14:00 2nd quarter: Patriots are on the board, but they'll be disappointed with that inside the red zone. Two short conservative plays by the Patriots fail to get the first down. And then Pierre-Paul bats down a Brady pass. Gostkowski is good from 29-yards Photograph: Al Bello/Getty Images

TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 10, Giants 9 0:08 2nd quarter: Brady is given an age to make the pass. Looks at about five options before throwing short – again to Woodhead – who is free. Patriots are winning despite their awful first quarter Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Michael Solomon's verdict on Madonna: The costumes were bizarre. And the dance moves were surprisingly stiff. But when the choir starting belting it out and Cee-Lo hit those high notes … she took me there Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

TOUCHDOWN! Patriots 17, Giants 9 12:48 3rd quarter: Brady throws to Welker to take NE closer and then a classic Pats offensive move: Brady throws to Hernandez, he fights the last few yards. Back-to-back huge drives by the Patriots and all that early NY optimism is dissipating Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

FIELD GOAL Patriots 17, Giants 15 - 0:40 3rd quarter: Tynes' kick is good from 38 yards Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Patriots 17, Giants 15 - 3:46 4th quarter: And the first play of the drive is deep right, Manningham is running at full pace, surrounded by two defenders, takes the catch. Or does he? Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images

TOUCHDOWN! Giants 21, Patriots 17 - 1:04 4th quarter: Bradshaw runs through a huge gap – looks like the Pats let him score so they can get the ball back – and then tries to stop before the goal-line, sits down but rolls over. And scores Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters

NEW YORK GIANTS ARE SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS: Giants 21 Patriots 17 Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Quarterback Eli Manning is the MVP. He says: "We stayed positive. We kept getting close. Our defense played tough." And he gets a black Chevrolet soft-top for his troubles Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images