So, the World Cup is unfortunately over. 32 teams, an average of 2.7 goals per game, one winner.
It was a sublime moment and Germany become the first European team to win the tournament on South American soil. They epitomised the meaning of team spirit throughout the tournament and delivered the goods when it mattered most.
Argentina spurned a whole host of chances with Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi as both sides cancelled each other out in a tight affair before Mario Gotze made the all important difference.
And well, Messi? He simply didn’t turn up.
Just like with Andres Iniesta four years ago, we had to wait till the very end of extra time for a winner and in the closing stages the Germans simply risked more than their Argentinian counterparts.
So, with the World Cup complete, FIFA have released their team of the competition. A few shocks, don't you think?
We also bring you our team of the tournament. However, we’ve limited our team to just ONE player from each country.
GK: Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria)
To put it simply, he’s been a brick wall in goal. Nigeria started the World Cup against Iran which ended 0-0 (One of the worst games in Brazil, for sure) and Enyeama earned another clean-sheet against Boznia-Herzegovina. However, Nigeria’s back 5 couldn’t cope with the power of Argentina when they lost 3-2. Nether the less, Enyeama has been consistent throughout the competition, and has recently been linked with a move to clubs around Europe.
RB: Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast)
Aurier has certainly been one of the best Africans at the World Cup this summer. At times his forward runs caused problems at the back for Ivory Coast, but his attacking contributions certainly helped them in front of goal.
Three games, two assists and a 85.4% pass success rate, the 21-year-old has a huge future ahead of him.
CB: Giancarlo Gonzalez (Costa Rica)
Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz have received the plaudits for Costa Rica’s unexpected run in the World Cup, but centre back Gonzalez gets the pick in our team. Jorge Luis Pinto's men were built on solid foundations and the defender didn’t put a foot wrong. Costa Rica played against five teams all ranked in the world’s top 15, but only conceded two goals.
To lose in the quarter-finals on penalties, Costa Rica can be proud of their performances.
CB: Rafael Márquez (Mexico)
Márquez was the first player to captain a game at four different World Cup games and became the second Mexican to score at three different World Cups. What a record! The 36-year-old had a very strong World Cup and his Mexico side were dumped out of the competition after two late goals from the Dutch.
LB: Ricardo Rodríguez (Switzerland)
Filling our left-back spot is Switzerland’s Ricardo Rodríguez. The 21-year-old had a great group stage but then certainly showed his potential when he face Angel di Maria. The Swiss left back made the left-winger of Argentina look very ordinary. Although di Maria did eventually score, it was not an error of Wolfsburg’s Rodríguez.
CM: Blaise Matuidi (France)
One word, underrated. The PSG man was key to France’s run in the World Cup. Having made over 100 appearances for PSG since 2011, the midfielder has earned a lot of admirers. An excellent World Cup for the 27-year-old alongside Paul Pogba.
CM: Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
Mascherano has put in faultless performances throughout the World Cup in Brazil this summer, and deserves a spot in our team. Many have labeled Lionel Messi as Argentina’s best player at the World Cup, but Mascherano could easily pick up that award. His performance against the Dutch was certainly his best.
RW: Arjen Robben (Holland)
ON the right we have Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben. The winger was a key man for the Dutch and helped them reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Seven games, three goals, one assist and four man of the matches.
CAM: James Rodriguez (Colombia)
We think this was the easiest pick of them all. The midfielder was the inspiration behind Colombia’s successful World Cup campaign. And he scored this unforgettable goal against Uruguay. His tremendous performances have linked him with a move to the worlds best clubs including Spanish giants Real Madrid.
LW: Neymar (Brazil)
Neymar was definitely the star for Brazil. The Brazilian scored four goals in his first thee games of the World Cup, before he was shut off in his final two games against Chile and Colombia. A challenge during the game against Colombia ruled out Neymar of the World Cup with a fractured vertebrae. A huge loss for Brazil.
ST: Thomas Müller (Germany)
Our striker has to be Muller. Germany’s most consistent player was one goal away from claiming the Golden Boot for the second time in a row. Muller’s hat-trick in the opening game of the World Cup set him up for an unforgettable World Cup. The winner against USA was key to German’s World Cup campaign before ripping Brazil to shreds. And what a game that was. 7-1, who expected that?
What a World Cup it has been and now the tournament is over, who makes your World Cup XI?
It was a sublime moment and Germany become the first European team to win the tournament on South American soil. They epitomised the meaning of team spirit throughout the tournament and delivered the goods when it mattered most.
Argentina spurned a whole host of chances with Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi as both sides cancelled each other out in a tight affair before Mario Gotze made the all important difference.
And well, Messi? He simply didn’t turn up.
Just like with Andres Iniesta four years ago, we had to wait till the very end of extra time for a winner and in the closing stages the Germans simply risked more than their Argentinian counterparts.
So, with the World Cup complete, FIFA have released their team of the competition. A few shocks, don't you think?
We also bring you our team of the tournament. However, we’ve limited our team to just ONE player from each country.
GK: Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria)
To put it simply, he’s been a brick wall in goal. Nigeria started the World Cup against Iran which ended 0-0 (One of the worst games in Brazil, for sure) and Enyeama earned another clean-sheet against Boznia-Herzegovina. However, Nigeria’s back 5 couldn’t cope with the power of Argentina when they lost 3-2. Nether the less, Enyeama has been consistent throughout the competition, and has recently been linked with a move to clubs around Europe.
RB: Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast)
Aurier has certainly been one of the best Africans at the World Cup this summer. At times his forward runs caused problems at the back for Ivory Coast, but his attacking contributions certainly helped them in front of goal.
Three games, two assists and a 85.4% pass success rate, the 21-year-old has a huge future ahead of him.
CB: Giancarlo Gonzalez (Costa Rica)
Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz have received the plaudits for Costa Rica’s unexpected run in the World Cup, but centre back Gonzalez gets the pick in our team. Jorge Luis Pinto's men were built on solid foundations and the defender didn’t put a foot wrong. Costa Rica played against five teams all ranked in the world’s top 15, but only conceded two goals.
To lose in the quarter-finals on penalties, Costa Rica can be proud of their performances.
CB: Rafael Márquez (Mexico)
Márquez was the first player to captain a game at four different World Cup games and became the second Mexican to score at three different World Cups. What a record! The 36-year-old had a very strong World Cup and his Mexico side were dumped out of the competition after two late goals from the Dutch.
LB: Ricardo Rodríguez (Switzerland)
Filling our left-back spot is Switzerland’s Ricardo Rodríguez. The 21-year-old had a great group stage but then certainly showed his potential when he face Angel di Maria. The Swiss left back made the left-winger of Argentina look very ordinary. Although di Maria did eventually score, it was not an error of Wolfsburg’s Rodríguez.
CM: Blaise Matuidi (France)
One word, underrated. The PSG man was key to France’s run in the World Cup. Having made over 100 appearances for PSG since 2011, the midfielder has earned a lot of admirers. An excellent World Cup for the 27-year-old alongside Paul Pogba.
CM: Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
Mascherano has put in faultless performances throughout the World Cup in Brazil this summer, and deserves a spot in our team. Many have labeled Lionel Messi as Argentina’s best player at the World Cup, but Mascherano could easily pick up that award. His performance against the Dutch was certainly his best.
RW: Arjen Robben (Holland)
ON the right we have Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben. The winger was a key man for the Dutch and helped them reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Seven games, three goals, one assist and four man of the matches.
CAM: James Rodriguez (Colombia)
We think this was the easiest pick of them all. The midfielder was the inspiration behind Colombia’s successful World Cup campaign. And he scored this unforgettable goal against Uruguay. His tremendous performances have linked him with a move to the worlds best clubs including Spanish giants Real Madrid.
LW: Neymar (Brazil)
Neymar was definitely the star for Brazil. The Brazilian scored four goals in his first thee games of the World Cup, before he was shut off in his final two games against Chile and Colombia. A challenge during the game against Colombia ruled out Neymar of the World Cup with a fractured vertebrae. A huge loss for Brazil.
ST: Thomas Müller (Germany)
Our striker has to be Muller. Germany’s most consistent player was one goal away from claiming the Golden Boot for the second time in a row. Muller’s hat-trick in the opening game of the World Cup set him up for an unforgettable World Cup. The winner against USA was key to German’s World Cup campaign before ripping Brazil to shreds. And what a game that was. 7-1, who expected that?
What a World Cup it has been and now the tournament is over, who makes your World Cup XI?