The best, and worst, of Brazil 2014 17 Jul 2014 21:25:00 Garry Taman Six years of planning and preparation for just one month of sport. Was it really worth it? You bet your bottom Ghanaian dollar it was! What a festival of sun, sand, football, colour, emotion and festivity the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil was – practically everything football’s greatest celebration should be. Once again a host nation had to overcome the naysayers and harbingers of doom, but what we have learnt over the last two World Cups is that once the football starts it eclipses all that has gone before. All those journos looking for sensationalist, you’ll-never-be-ready angles now focus on the real reason we’re there, and you know what: it all goes just great. And once we’ve had time to digest what really happened, great might not be a strong enough term when it comes to World Cups. It was outstanding, delivering goals (and then some…), shocks, saves, flamboyant football, controversy, many moments of magic and quite possibly the greatest game in the history of the World Cup. Want to know our exact take? Well, here’s our rundown on the best and worst from Brazil 2014. TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT......................... GOALKEEPER Manuel Neuer (Germany). Has a keeper ever dominated a World Cup like the big German did in Brazil? Not only his own area, but the space you would normally expect a sweeper to patrol. It must have been so reassuring for his defence having that rock behind them, and you only had to see how disappointed he was conceding a goal in the last minute in the 7-1 thumping of Brazil to understand how much a clean sheet means to him. Mentions : most of the other keepers stood out for their shot-stopping ability, and heading up this list are Tim Howard (US), Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria) and Keylor Navas (Costa Rica). DEFENDERS Philipp Lahm (Germany). Played in midfield at the start of the tournament, but it was in defence that he really shone as the tournament progressed through the KO stages. A thinking- mans footballer and leader of an outstanding team. Mats Hummels (Germany). There will be a lot of Germans in this team, as their defence just got better and better as the tournament went on. Hummels stood out both at the back and at the set pieces going forward. Jerome Boateng (Germany). Another rock- solid performer who just blossomed as the games got bigger. We lost count of how many attacks he snuffed out from the quarters onwards Ron Vlaar (Netherlands). With no real stand- out left-back, weve included the Dutchman who had an imperious tournament. His pocketing of Messi in the semi was particularly impressive. MIDFIELD Javier Mascherano (Argentina). The undoubted leader of the Argentine side, he played with the energy and commitment that managers can only dream of. His tackle on Arjen Robben in the dying seconds of the semifinal with go down in the annals of World Cup history. Arjen Robben (Netherlands). The most talked about man of the tournament. He just did everything at 100 miles an hour, including hitting the ground when gently tapped. Had everyone talking, both good and bad, but would be the first name down on everyones World Cup teamsheet. James Rodriguez (Colombia). What a prospect this young lad is. Golden Boot winner with his six goals, and the volley against Uruguay will be talked about for generations. Once he develops the ability to marshall a side on those shoulders, there will be no stopping him. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany). The force around which the German team revolved. He was indefatigable and was put through the grinder by Argentina, only to emerge bloodied yet victorious. His performance in the final was inspirational, especially as other legs around him tired. STRIKERS Neymar (Brazil). Carried immense pressure into the finals, but shone in the early stages and looked set to make a big impact in the latter part of the World Cup. His presence at the tournament was cruelly cut short though courtesy of a disgraceful knee in the back from Colombias Juan Camil Zuniga, whose subsequent apologies smacked of the murderer who was only sorry because hed been caught. Thomas Mueller (Germany). Five goals in 2010, and another five in 2014. At age 24, surely hell go on to break Miroslav Kloses 16- goal World Cup record? And it is not just his goalscoring ability that makes him stand out, he is involved in so much that the Germans do. A great presence to have in the opponents half. PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT..................... Many potential winners here, including Neuer, Rodriguez, Schweinsteiger and Mascherano to name a few, but for us the real standout player of Brazil 2014 was the Netherlands Arjen Robben . Yes he invoked much ire for his theatrics in trying to win penalties, but even that made him just that more prominent, if he wasnt already making people talk with his mazy runs, assists, goals and boundless energy. His performance against Spain was one of the top individual efforts of the tournament, and the way he continued running through extra time against Costa Rica and Argentina, before effortlessly slotting his penalties in the shootouts, left millions on the couches around the world breathless. Only the tackle of the tournament in the dying seconds from Argentinas Mascherano prevented him from being the semifinal hero, and carrying his side through to the final. GOALS OF THE TOURNAMENT..................... We certainly werent short of candidates to choose from - a record-tying 171 in all - but here are our top 10 from a goal-laden tournament. 10. Clint Dempsey - USA v Ghana Not only was this a classy goal, but at 30secs into the game it was the fourth fastest in World Cup history. Thanks goodness for PVRs - we were still making the coffee... - VIEW THE GOAL 9. David Luiz - Brazil v Colombia The best free kick of the tournament, and probably the loudest roar of Brazil 2014 as well - from both player and crowd!... - VIEW THE GOAL 8. Mario Goetze - Germany v Argentina Sometimes the timing of the goal adds double weight when it comes to the judging, and Goetzes timing here was something the Swiss would have been proud of. When did you say? Second period of extra time in a World Cup final? No problem. A classy goal at an even classier time. - VIEW THE GOAL 7. Xherdan Shaqiri - Switzerland v Honduras The first of his hat-trick in this match, and one of those that just has you going phwoar! and waiting for the replay. A rocket from the pocket dynamo. - VIEW THE GOAL 6. Lionel Messi - Argentina v Iran Another combination of pure class and timing. With Iran more than matching their illustrious opponents, up steps Argentinas Lionel Messi to score this stunner in added time and drive a dagger into Iranian hearts. Glorious, and heartbreaking. - VIEW THE GOAL 5. Arjen Robben - Netherlands v Spain If it wasnt for Germanys dismantling of Brazil in the semi, this would have been the outstanding game of the World Cup. Robben was in full attack mode in this match, no better illustrated than here. Leaving Sergio Ramos in his wake, confounding Iker Casillas in goal, then sweetly slotting past two covering defenders. This video is not available. 4. Gervinho - Cote dIvoire v Colombia It wasnt the best of World Cups for Africa (putting it mildly...), but at least we can claim the top individual effort of Brazil 2014. This video is not available. 3. Robin van Persie - Netherlands v Spain He has a habit of scoring spectacular goals, and this is another to add to his ever-growing CV. After going behind to a highly debatable penalty, RvP brought his team level with this clever and superbly executed header. This video is not available. 2. James Rodriguez - Colombia v Uruguay The 22-year-old that had the world eating out of the palm of his hand. And it is not difficult to see why with this glorious effort in the win over Uruguay. My word this boys a star - never a truer description shouted by a commentator. This video is not available. 1. Tim Cahill - Australia v Netherlands Not much more you can say about this other than jaw dropping. Having gone behind seconds earlier, the Aussies were looking to hit back quickly, and boy did they ever. The perfect volley following a tricky ball flight, this was wonderful and brutal rolled into one. And it had that bar clip for added effect... This video is not available. SAVES OF THE TOURNAMENT................... Hundreds and hundreds to choose from, but these were our five favourites. 5. Fatau Dauda - Ghana v Portugal Ronaldo should have had at least a hat-trick in this match, but a combination of his cold boots and the reflexes of Dauda kept him down to just one. This point-blank effort stood out, even if just for the celebration afterwards! - VIEW THE SAVE 4. Vincent Enyeama - Nigeria v France Two Africans in the top five. A smart stop to deny the impressive Pogba his first World Cup goal. Unfortunately for Nigeria, Enyeama did gift the big Frenchman the crucial first goal later in the game - VIEW THE SAVE 3. Tim Howard - US v Portugal Howard was the outstanding shot-stopper and a real charismatic hero of Brazil 2014. Here he keeps the US of A in the game against Portugal by seeming to make his body defy the laws of physics. - VIEW THE SAVE 2. Claudio Bravo - Chile v Australia Unbelievably good plunging save at a crucial moment in the game. One of those proper saves that wasnt just reflex - the keeper had to move smartly down to his left to keep this one out. - VIEW THE SAVE 1. Guillermo Ochoa - Mexico v Brazil A brilliant diving save to his right to deny Brazils favourite son a goal. Banks v Pele, you ask? No Ochoa v Neymar. This video is not available. - READ MORE: Goalkeepers shine bright MEMORIES FOR A LIFETIME......................... In no particular order, some more memories we will carry with us as long as we love football: Cross country - just the most sublime cross of a ball from Ghanas Kwadwo Asamoah to set up his sort-of namesake Asamoah Gyans goal against Portugal - WATCH HERE Slide show - every football fan knows of the Bobby Moore tackle on Jairzinho at the 1970 World Cup. Well, 44 years later heres Mascherano writing his name into defensive history while robben the Dutch of victory. - WATCH HERE A Krul blow - Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal pulled off a substitution masterstroke in the quarterfinal against Costa Rica, bringing on keeper Tim Krul in the last seconds on extra time. He got under the skin of the penalty takers with his constant eye contact, and made two stunning saves. And then back to the bench for the semi, of course. - WATCH HERE Goalline technology - worked great, and gave us two goals that we may have previously been denied. And the irritating thing? Fifa will be patting themselves on the back, when in truth they have been dragging their heels on this for years. Oh well, all is well that ends well, hey England? - WATCH HERE Spray it, dont say it - another innovation that worked well, and we hope gets taken into the leagues. The refs telling the wall exactly where to stand while eliminating that infuriating habit of creeping. Wall done, Fifa... Spray it, dont say it II - cheeky Argentine Lavezzi thought his coach was getting just a little too hot under the collar - WATCH HERE Sweet 16 - Germanys Miroslav Klose becomes the leading scorer in the history of the World Cup tournament. And he did it with former holder Ronaldo of Brazil watching the Germans destroy his fellow countrymen. Talk about salt in the wound... - WATCH HERE Do cry for me, Brazil - the most incredible result in World Cup history was just too much for these home fans to take. - WATCH HERE Heavenly - not sure who he was supporting, but the sight of Christ the Redeemer in front of the setting sun as we watched the World Cup final just reminded us how privileged we were to be in some way part of this amazing event. - WATCH HERE BLOOPERS......................... The, er, not so dashing moments, ones that the players will be hoping no one remembers. Sorry guys, they are here forever.... Off to Siberia - Russias Igor Akinfeev didnt exactly cover himself in glory here. Coach Capello had probably just gotten over Robert Green of Englands howler in 2010, and now this! - WATCH HERE Robbing Van Persie - Spains Iker Casillas, whose reign as Spains No 1 is probably over, wont thank us for this reminder of his howler against the Netherlands. - WATCH HERE Blah blah blah - SuperSport analyst Gavin Hunt wont look back at this bit of expert opinion with relish. Lets hope his halftime talks for Wits are a little clearer! - WATCH HERE Too much physio on that ankle - England physio Gary Lewins World Cup was shorter than those of the players he was looking after! A broken ankle from celebrating Englands goal against Italy in their first game. My Dad didnt die - Die - the power of social media. When Cote dIvoire midfielder Serey Die shed tears ahead of the match against Colombia, the rumour spread quickly that his Dad had died two hours before the game. Even the injured Colombian Radamel Falcao tweeted how proud he was of Die. Turns out it was just the enormity of the occasion, and that his Dad died ten years ago. - WATCH HERE Freak kick - we dont think this free-kick routine of the Germans will be making its way back to the field any time soon. - WATCH HERE CONTROVERSIES / WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?......................... Of course, there were also the moments that didnt leave a nice taste in the mouth, Luis.... Chewy Luis - did we really just see that? This will probably end up being the most talked- about incident at this World Cup, and one you just didnt want to believe when you saw it live. Rather unsavoury, but Luis Suarez might tell us it was actually quite savoury! - WATCH HERE Butthead - you are 2-0 down before halftime, whats the best thing you can do? Why, says Portugals Pepe, headbutt an opponent who is sitting on the ground a few metres away. Some players deserve a red for stupidity, never mind the offence. - WATCH HERE Hello Africa, tell me how you doing? - er, not so great Dr Alban. We had the usual nonsense of public bickering over money just before we got here. Then we continued it here and had a few players banished from the Cup, and then quite openly flew in millions of dollars. On top of that some of us elbowed opponents in the back, and then others even started headbutting our own teammates. What do you think? We didnt exactly cover ourselves in glory (again) at this World Cup. The fight for extra places for Africa? Well be lucky if we keep five.... - WATCH: Internal Cameroon fight - WATCH: Song red carded Are you reffing blind? - not the best of tournaments for the officials, particularly in the early stages. They werent helped by the diving though, and by how cunning players have become at fouling these days. Its not so much kicking an opponent as putting your leg where his will be very shortly. The Mexican goals disallowed against Cameroon; the Brazil penalty against Croatia; the Fred goal for Brazil against Cameroon; the Dzeko goal for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Nigeria; Robbens penalty award against Mexico - the list goes on. Still, at the end of the day, no one is going to say Germany werent worthy winners... - WATCH: Dzeko offside Arjen, likes lyin, in divin - to massacre a Bob Marley title. Arjen Robben, for all his gifts, will alienate supporters his whole career if he carries on going down easier than a tequila at a bachelor party. The sad thing is he realises it, but believes that its a part of his game and that fans must just accept that. And until Fifa brings in post-match citing and starts banning players for this, it will never be stamped out of the game - WATCH HERE Give that decision the boot - Lionel Messi the best player at the World Cup? Come on, he wasnt the best player for Argentina. And even if they had won, you still couldnt compare him to Maradona, who stands head and shoulder above him on the international stage. However Fifa got to this Golden Boot decision, it needs a re-look. Even Messi didnt seem too impressed with the outcome. - WATCH HERE Knee-dless loss - Colombias Juan Camil Zuniga, hang your head in shame. That tackle on Neymar was preposterous, and no number of sorries will make us believe you mean them. Maybe you didnt mean to crack a vertebrae, but you sure as hell meant to let him know you were there. If one good thing comes out of this, Fifa will change their law around not being able to increase the severity of the punishment if the referee has already acted on it. It may not have changed the outcome of the tournament, but once Silva and Neymar were out, the hosts really didnt stand a chance against Germany. - WATCH: Match highlights BRASS BOOT......................... The worst misses of the tournament Chris Wondowlowski, US v Belgium - into stoppage time in the Round of 16, and you get this chance to make yourself a national hero in a country that does love their heroes. Putting the low into Wondowlowski. - WATCH HERE Blerim Dzemaili, Switzerland v Argentina - this time into stoppage time at the end of extra time in the Round of 16. Your World Cup dreams were just dashed by a 118th minute goal, and along comes an unchallenged opportunity to equalise from a few yards out. Simple? Not. A Swiss miss of the not so pretty kind - WATCH HERE Sergio Busquets, Spain v Netherlands - Two- nil down at halftime, and the next goal is crucial. Spains Busquets gets this glorious opportunity just after the break to keep his side in the World Cup, and somehow manages to channel Fernando Torres in a Chelsea shirt. - WATCH HERE Gonzalo Higuain, Argentina v Germany - gifted the perfect opportunity to open the scoring in the World Cup final, but talk about fluffing your lines. Another effort ruled out for offside not much later, plus being wiped out by the Manuel Neuer Express in the second half, meant this wasnt a match to remember for Higuain. - WATCH HERE CAN I HAVE ANOTHER GO?......................... Lets just say these five didnt exactly enhance their reputations.... Iker Casillas, Spain - The Spanish No 1 through all their glory years was responsible for a fair number of howlers in this tournament, and played his part in the champions demise. Dani Alves, Brazil - the much-feted Barca right back left his defensive counterparts having to constantly cover for him, and the space he made available to his opponents was dubbed Dani Alves Avenue by local media. Eventually he was dropped for the quarter- and semifinals. Sergio Ramos, Spain - just seemed all his energy was spent in the Champions League, as he was a shadow of his former self. Speaking of shadows, thats all he was chasing in the 5-1 drubbing at the hands - and feet - of the Netherlands. Eden Hazard, Belgium - while the Chelsea ground may be the Garden of Eden, he certainly didnt blossom here when a strong allround Belgium side needed him at his wizard-like best, providing the X-factor. He almost didnt make this list, purely because we didnt realise he was there... Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal - sulked and scuffed his way through this World Cup, looking like hed rather be at another Lionel Messi crowning than here. And exactly how many chances did he want against Ghana? Hed better score a lot of goals with a big smile on his face next season. BUT WAIT, THERES MORE... So thats pretty much it, our wrap of the best World Cup in living memory. A month that gave us the most spectaular match in tournament history - the Brazil 1, Germany 7 semifinal - along with the 5-1 destruction of the champions in their opening game as we witnessed 171 goals in all, a joint-highest mark with France 98. It would be remiss of us not to mention the legend who passed away during the finals, Alfredo Di Stefano, but we are sure that from what he witnessed, he knows he left football in good hands. The bar has been set, Russia, over to you! And if you have any more memories youd like to share, leave us a post below. ©
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 01:06:39 +0000
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