The FIFA 2014 World Cup finally came to close on Sunday July 13 with Germany deservedly winning the crown.
Joachim Low’s charges beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time to walk away with the world’s most prestigious soccer prize for the first time since 1990 and their first since unification.
Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga picks his best XI for the tournament based on statistics and performance with champions Germany and runners up Argentina dominating in the 4-3-3 formation.
GOAL KEEPER:
Manuel Neuer (Germany): It was a tournament where goalkeepers had impressive performances but Neuer stands heads and shoulders above the others. The Bayern Munich goalie made a number of crucial saves en route to helping Germany with their first World Cup in 24 years.
His leadership and organizational skills helped Joachim Low’s side have a steady back four. Besides, he will be remembered for playing the sweeper role against Algeria and France. Conceded just four goals albeit one of them in extra time versus Algeria.
Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas, Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa, Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama and Colombia’s David Ospina also deserve a mention.
4-MAN DEFENCE
Phillip Lahm (Germany): Surprisingly, the Germany skipper was the most outstanding right back at Brazil 2014 despite featuring in the position from the start for only four games albeit all in the knock out stages.
He kept things tight down his wing and also added numbers going forward. Only Ivory Coast’s Serge Aurier and perhaps France’s Mathieu Debuchy come close but they didn’t go far in the tournament.
Marcos Rojo (Argentina): At the tournament kickoff, Argentina’s weak link appeared to be defense but thanks to Rojo and company, they had the tightest backline of the teams that went as far as top four. Rojo had a good tournament and manned the left back authoritatively with some good runs offensively. Only Netherlands’ Daley Blind (consistently played as a wing back) and Costa Rica’s Junior Diaz performed close.
Mats Hummels (Germany): He didn’t only keep things tight at the back but also spared time to net two goals in the tournament; one of them against France in the quarters. He read the games well, organized the defense and was partly responsible for Germany’s four clean sheets in seven games.
Ezequiel Garay (Argentina): To me, Garay beats Thiago Silva to the position for his side conceded less goals with him on the pitch than what Brazil did with Silva on. From the onset, he was the most decent defender in the Argentine back-line and didn’t disappoint. Besides Silva, he also beats Costa Rica’s Oscar Duarte and Germany’s Jerome Boateng to the position.
3-MAN MIDFIELD:
Javier Mascherano (Argentina): Besides Lionel Messi, Mascherano was the most important player to the runners up. His discipline, positional sense and timely tackles were one of the reasons his side reached the finals. He provided cover to the backline and looked so mature in his game.
Tooni Kroos (Germany): Probably the unsung hero of the champions. Kroos did his thing silently in the middle of the pack and didn’t only make four assists but also scored twice against Brazil in the semis. He does get the plaudits he deserves indeed.
Arjen Robben (Netherlands): What a tournament the bald headed Dutch man had! He was the most dangerous opponent to face in Brazil and his exploits saw ‘The Oranje’ finish win bronze. He scored three goals, won two penalties (including one against Mexico in the closing minutes of the last 16 game) and made crucial assists.
He exhibited maturity of the highest order in his game and probably amongst the top two performers in Brazil in my opinion.
3-Man ATTACKER:
James Rodriguez (Colombia): The 22 year old Colombian scored in all games his side played in Brazil netting six in five games plus won the “Golden Boot” despite Colombia only managing a quarter final finish. Besides, he scored the tournament’s best goal in the 2-0 victory over Uruguay and surprisingly overlooked for the golden ball.
Lionel Messi (Argentina): We all agree the “Golden Ball” winner didn’t have the best of performances as we expect of him but did decently. Without him, it’s hard to imagine where Alejandro Sabella’s side would have finished. He scored four goals albeit all coming at the group stages and made one assist; for Angel Di Maria’s winner against Switzerland in the round of 16. His leadership as skipper on the pitch was also instrumental to his side.
Thomas Muller (Germany): Truth is Germany plays as a unit but in Muller, they have a silent assassin. The Germany star netted five goals becoming only the third player in World Cup history to manage the feat of scoring five or more in consecutive tournaments. Whether played as a false nine, a support striker or on the right as exhibited in the games in which Klose started, he has been deadly. His movement on and off the ball made many defenders look naïve.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Tim Howard (USA), David Ospina (Colombia), Jerome Boateng (Germany), Neymar Jr (Brazil), Thiago Silva (Brazil), Daley Blind (Netherlands), Juan Cuadrado (Colombia), Sammi Khedira (Germany), Oscar Duarte (Costa Rica), Keylor Navas (Costa Rica), Angel Di Maria (Argentina), Joel Campbell (Costa Rica), Karim Benzema, Mathieu Valbuena and Paul Pogba (France)
COACH: Joachim Low (Germany):
The Germany tactician didn’t only make right decisions in all games but was tactically astute. Picked his side well and made timely and right substitutions when needed. He deserves to manage this side without doubt.
Nevertheless, Colombia’s Jose Pekerman and Argentina’s Alejandro Sabella also did well.
