Brazil 2014 is widely considered
as one of the best World Cup Finals ever (if not the best) and we are only just at the quarter final stage. In South
Africa, 4 years ago it would have been very difficult to pick out 10 highlights
at all, let alone by the quarter final stage. So who and what has made this
tournament so compelling so far?
1. James Rodriguez has scored 5 goals (plus 2 assists) and has been
the undisputed star of the World Cup up to this point. Rodriguez has led the
way in Colombia’s very impressive march to the quarter finals but there is one
moment that stands head and shoulders above the rest – his stunning goal
against Uruguay in the round of 16. His vision, followed by the control and
execution of the amazing volley will take some beating if it isn't to be
crowned best goal of the World Cup.
2. Lionel Messi and Argentina haven’t played particularly well but
they find themselves in the quarter finals and still in with a chance of
lifting the trophy at the Maracana. However, truly great players, and Messi is
certainly one of those, can lift themselves when the team most needs it. Messi
has made key contributions in each of Argentina’s 4 matches to date. The
decisive goal in their opener against Bosnia-Hercegovina, a double strike
against Nigeria and a last minute winner against Iran took his team through to
a meeting with Switzerland in the round of 16. With the game deep into extra time
and seemingly heading to penalties, Messi looked totally exhausted. He somehow
summoned up the energy to dispossess a defender and run with the ball before
laying off a perfect pass for Angel Di Maria to slot home and win the game.
3. Neymar has been described as the poster boy for this World Cup in
his own country. Certainly one of the best players in the world, expectation
was high and just like Argentina have looked unremarkable, needing Messi to
bail them out, so too with Brazil. Two goals in each of his country’s opening
and closing group games ensured passage to the round of 16 for the ordinary
looking hosts. Neymar played on after an early injury in a gruelling encounter
with Chile and scored the decisive penalty in the shootout. Brazil need to at
least get to the final for their tournament to hailed a moderate success – such
is the expectation, but Neymar has certainly made his mark.
4. Costa Rica have been the surprise package at Brazil 2014. With 2
wins (against Uruguay and Italy) and a draw (against England), the Costa Ricans
topped their group with 7 points. They needed a penalty shootout to see off
Greece in the last 16 but it was another deserved victory as they battled
through 24 minutes of the second half and the whole of extra time with 10 men
following the sending off of Duarte. They will need to raise their game again
to stand any chance against the Netherlands in the quarter finals but who
knows?
5. Goalkeepers always play their part in World Cup tournaments but
whereas some previous competitions are remembered for their “dodgy keepers”
this one in Brazil has seen some of the “number 1’s” truly excel. Guillermo
Ochoa (Mexico), Tim Howard (USA) and Keylor Navas (Costa Rica) certainly
deserve a mention for a string of superb performances and can take bow along
with some of the world’s great strikers for truly making a difference at this
tournament.
6. The Underdogs – We have already mentioned Costa Rica’s heroics but
whilst they have perhaps been the most successful of the underdogs, there have
been plenty of others who have fought and battled in an attempt to overturn the
form guide. Performances from the USA, Algeria, Nigeria, Greece, Ghana, Iran
and Australia have ensured there have been no easy rides for the favourites and
have probably delighted the bookmakers in the process as punters trying to
predict correct score lines have been left baffled!
7. The Goals – No World Cup worth its salt can get away without having
some great goals to look back on. Brazil 2014 hasn’t disappointed! We may not
have seen much in the way of great free kicks yet but there have been some
truly stunning goals to savour. James Rodriguez has not one but two great goals
so far, one the sublime volley from distance and the other a jinking run and
little chip over the keeper. The Netherlands racked up a host of goals against
Spain in their opener and Robin Van Persie’s diving header and Arjen Robben’s
twisting, turning run were fantastic. Lionel Messi has contributed too along
with Neymar, Gervinho, Tim Cahill, Luiz Suarez, Jermaine Jones and Ahmed Musa
to name but a few.
8. The race for the golden boot is a hot one this year with at least 7
contenders still in the tournament at the quarter final stage. James Rodriguez
leads the way (5), Thomas Muller, Messi and Neymar are in the chasing pack (4)
with Benzema, Robben and Van Persie all still in with a shout with 3 goals
each.
9. The Managers and Coaches have been a revelation at this world cup with
the majority of them committed to attacking football and winning matches rather
than trying to preserve their own reputations by simply setting out to avoid
defeat (a virus that has been present in many previous tournaments). Their
passion and determination has also been evident with entertaining and animated
displays up and down their technical areas. The players may get all the glory
but let’s not forget these coaches that have given so much.
10. The Fans also deserve a mention. The build up to the tournament was
filled with news headlines about the possibility of mass demonstrations that
whilst understandable, certainly had the potential to take the shine off the
football. However, what we have seen from the supporters of all nations is a
fervency and enthusiasm that has been contagious. This has probably been the
most noisy, colourful world cup ever, with perhaps the yellow of Brazil being
the most dominant of bright colours. On the whole it seems that fans have been
well behaved and have certainly helped to create the fabulous atmosphere at all
of the stadiums.
The only thing wrong with this
world cup (asides from the odd bit of biting) is that it has to come to an end
at all. Only 8 matches remaining (sad face).
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