living up to their names
On the biggest stage, reputations often take a beating. The pressure of representing your country bogs the big names down. But some players use this opportunity to enhance their reputation — both in their own country as well as around the world. Neymar (Brazil) and lionel Messi (Argentina) have done that in this World Cup by leading their respective sides to the next round. Both of them have four goals to their names in three appearances during the group stage and more are likely to be added in the coming matches. What makes their performance worth mentioning is that the two have delivered when the rest of their teammates stuttered, for the most part.
THE TEAMs: Chile and Costa Rica
Who could have thought that from a group consisting of champions and runners-up, a third team would make it into the next round. Chile was that team and the feat was achieved when they ousted Spain 2-0. Even FIFA is surprised that Costa Rica have made it into last-16 and therefore many team players are being tested for dope. And, what they have achieved is no mean one too because the Group of Death, Group D, also had England, Italy and Uruguay but England and Italy have taken the flight back home and Uruguay are a humbled second, after toppers Costa Rica.
Tactricks
The group match between Brazil and Mexico may have ended in a goalless and credit should be given to Mexican coach Miguel Herrera. Instead of going near the hosts' D area for the attack, Mexico strikers kept aiming long-range shots at goalkeeper Julio Cesar. Though no goals, they reached close enough to trouble the Brazilians and won a draw.
Brazil, Brazil....
The start to the World Cup might have been jittery due to nationwide protests, strikes and concerns related to the construction of some stadiums and security but as the tournament progressed, the world found itself glued to the beautiful game and the problems seemed to have vanished from surface of the earth. It’s rather fitting for a country that is known for its madness for football. Hopefully, the success of the World Cup will rub on to Brazil’s flailing economy and peace will be restored.
Record equaliser
Miroslav Klose (in pic) has equalled Ronaldo's goalscoring record at the World Cup. The German forward came off the bench against Ghana to score his first goal of the tournament, which put him joint level on 15 in finals history with the Brazilian legend. Klose came on with his side at 2-1 down, but grabbed one from close range within two minutes to level the scores. And he was congratulated by Ronaldo himself, who took to twitter to personally show his appreciation of his new equal. Klose's first World Cup appearance came in 2002, where he scored a hat trick in an 8-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.
Shocker
Spain ouster: They came but whatever they saw wasn't good. World champions Spain could last just over 180 minutes, just about the time of a bollywood and that too minus the kick — before being eliminated, they had just one goal via a dubious penalty.
Suarez bite: He' now made this a habit. Among some brilliant moves and two goals, Uruguay's luis Suarez's (in pic) legs were not the only ones talking. His teeth found way their around Italian Giorgio Chiellini's neck and he found his way out, suspended, from the Beautiful Game for four months and nine games with the national side.
Disappointment
World player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo (in pic) donned three different hairstyles in three matches but what he lacked was the net. He finished with one goal, the last one in their final game which won the Portuguese the tie but his next assignment was the flight back home after the elimination.
Abbreviations: MP: Matches Played; GF: Goals For; TG: Total Goals; GC: Goals Conceded; PG: Penalty Goals; OPG: Open Play Goals; SPG: Set Piece Goals; MinP: Minutes Played; TP: Total Passes; PC: Passes Completed; GS: Goals Scored; A: Assists; PS: Penalty Scored; GWlF: Goals Scored with left Foot; GSRF: Goals Scored with Right Foot; HG: Headed Goals; DC: Distance Covered; DCP: Distance Covered in Possession; DCNP: Distance Covered not in Possession; TS: Top Speed; YC: Yellow Card; SYC: Second Yellow Card; RC: Red Card; FC: Fouls Committed; FS: Fouls Suffered