Stats dont lie: FIFA World Cup BEST XI In The Group Stages, Brasil2014... Goals, controversy, hat-tricks and first-round shocks- the 2014 World Cup has been box-office and record-breaking. A total of 136 goals is the highest since the group stages took on a 32-team format in 1998, bettering the 130 plundered in 2002. The stats BEST XI Are: 1. Enyeama (Nigeria), 2. Chiellini (Italy), 3. Van Buyten (Belgium), 4. Medel (Chile), 5. Alves (Brazil), 6. Rodriguez (Colombia), 7. Robben (Netherlands), 8. Cuadrado (Colombia), 9. Neymar (Brazil), 10. Benzema (France), 11. Messi (Argentina). 1. GOALKEEPER - Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria) Nigerias goalkeeper has helped the Super Eagles out of the group stage and into a second-round match against France on Monday. The Lille goalkeeper, 31, kept clean sheets against Iran and Bosnia-Hercegovina and made 18 saves in the three matches, more than any other goalkeeper in the tournament. Joe Hart made just the one save in his two matches for England, while Ben Foster made two saves as his replacement against Costa Rica. LB - Giorgio Chiellini (Italy) Italy may have exited the tournament at the group stage but that didnt stop the 29-year-old Juventus defender from making 10 tackles, 14 clearances and nine interceptions. Italy only conceded three goals but at the other end only managed to find the net twice, both against England. CB - Gary Medel (Chile) The Cardiff City defender made 28 clearances during the group stage as Chile won two of their matches to finish in second and qualify for the last 16. The 26-year-olds pass completion rate was 93% from 207 passes. CB - Daniel van Buyten (Belgium) No-one made more than his five blocks in the group stage as Belgium eased into the second round with a 100% winning record. The 36-year-old Bayern Munich defender played in every minute of the three matches. In comparison, Phil Jagielka made Englands highest amount of blocks - two from his two matches. RB - Daniel Alves (Brazil) Of all defenders only Spains Jordi Alba made more passes in the opposition half than 31-year-old Alves. The Barcelona man played every minute as Brazil topped Group A with two wins and a draw. Midfield - Juan Cuadrado (Colombia) The 26-year-old Fiorentina winger has impressed with his speed, pace and dribbling ability. He has provided three assists as Colombia topped Group C, the joint-most with the Netherlandss Daley Blind. Midfield - Arjen Robben (Netherlands) After scoring once in 2006 and twice in 2010, the Bayern Munich midfielder has already netted three times in this tournament. The 30-year-old has also made one assist as the Netherlands progressed to the second round as one of only four teams with a 100% record. Midfield - James Rodriguez (Colombia) Monacos £38.5m man has scored or assisted a goal every 45 minutes on average, the best rate of any player to have played more than 100 minutes at the tournament. Rodriguez, 22, has scored in all three games and has also created two other goals as Colombia won all of their games. Wayne Rooney was Englands joint-highest goal scorer and assist maker with one each. Forward - Neymar (Brazil) The host nations golden boy has not disappointed as he tops the goal-scoring charts on four with Argentinas Lionel Messi and Germanys Thomas Muller. Barcelonas 22-year-old has the best conversion rate (44%) of any player to have attempted at least eight shots. Englands Daniel Sturridge had a conversion rate of 9.09% with one goal from his 11 shots. Forward - Karim Benzema (France) The 26-year-old has created 12 goal-scoring chances, the joint-most with Bosnias Miralem Pjanic, to help France top Group E and reach the second round. The Real Madrid striker also scored three times in three matches. Forward - Lionel Messi (Argentina) Joint-top scorer in the tournament with four goals, Messi has scored three of his four goals from outside the penalty area, two more than any other player. Barcelonas 27-year-old forward has scored two thirds of Argentinas goals in the tournament. Any Contrary Views? Sources: BBC Sports. Enjoy Your WeekEnd Ahead, Friends/Pals... #OneLOVE!
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 09:33:22 +0000
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