9. Fabio Quagliarella vs. Slovakia. His chipped shot from 25 meters took everyone by surprise including Slovakian goalkeeper Mucha, not that there would have been anything he could have done about it anyway. When the ball's placed that perfectly, "you don't stop those."
8. Keisuke Honda vs. Denmark. Honda was so great that although entering the tournament as Japan's "star player" most people weren't even talking about him. Now that the tournament's over, a whole host of top clubs around Europe are looking to sign him up. His free kick showed his technical ability, but with an equally impressive work rate, he looks a good pickup for whomever gets him.
7. Mesut Özil vs. Ghana. Technically perfect from a difficult position, Özil's strike showed why he was one of the silkiest players at the the tournament. With the deftness of touch that reminds one of Berbatov, a eye for the pass almost as good as that of Xavi, and technical finishing of a quality Rooney could only dream of at this World Cup, Özil showed why he deserved to make the team of the tournament. Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough space to include him.
6. Carlos Tevez vs. Mexico. What can you say, the ever-working Man City forward showed why he is one of the Premier League's most feared attackers with a thunderous strike from close to 25 meters. Straight into the top left corner.
5. Maicon vs. North Korea. Maicon pulled out his best impression of former Brazilian full-back Roberto Carlos, albeit from closer in and with the other foot with this surprise strike to put Brazil ahead against North Korea. A great strike from a classy player - everything you want to see in the World Cup's list of top goals.
4. David Villa vs. Hondruas. Granted, Honduras didn't field the best defense at the World Cup, but they only conceded three times, and one of them was to a wonder goal from the newly acquired Barcelona man. After he burned half the Honduran defense, he proceeded to score while losing traction with his plant foot and sliding to the ground. Great goal from the tournament's best forward.
3. Iniesta vs. Netherlands. Okay, so it's not a beautiful goal. It wasn't perfectly passed or perfectly finished, but the little man from Albacete, as soft-spoken as he is short, scored the most important goal in the history of a nation, thereby creating one of the most memorable moments of World Cup history. My hair stands on end just thinking about it. A more euphoric moment Spain has perhaps never had, thanks to the diminutive and humble Barcelona midfielder.
2. Siphiwe Tshabalala vs. Mexico. What a way to open the World Cup. It was an edgy affair this game that had all the looks of a nil-nil snooze-fest until Tshabalala, brilliantly played through by I don't remember whom launched a rocket into the top left corner. Breathtaking. And everyone outside of Mexico was celebrating.
1. Gio vs. Uruguay. This was a truly impossible shot. Appropriate that the last goal Van Bronckhorst will ever score is the goal thousands of players hope to score once in their lifetimes. From an impossible angle and an exceptional distance, he left the goalkeeper absolutely no chance as the ball sailed into that same top left corner. Stunning. Absolutely stunning.
Team of the Tournament:
GK. Saint Iker Casillas. After the Chile match I was calling for Pepe Reina. After the Paraguay match I decided it might be okay to go with Casillas. After the Germany match I was thinking Casillas was okay. And after the final, I think Casillas is probably the best goalkeeper in the world. TWICE, he beat Robben (dirty Dutchman #3) when he was clean through on goal. The penalty save against Paraguay and the stop of Kroos's sitter rank among a host of the best saves of the tournament. On the bench, I'd take Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama. His performance against Argentina was the best of any goalkeeper in any match at this World Cup. If I were taking a full 23 man roster, the third goalkeeper would have to be Robert Gr... okay that was a bad joke. How about Kiwi 'keeper Mark Paston. He turned in three excellent displays.
RB. Maicon. He consistently looked like the best player for Brazil. The goal against North Korea was fantastic, but his leadership and solid play both defensively and offensively throughout helped to carry a Brazil side that struggled to make a big impression. On the bench are Phillip Lahm and Sergio Ramos.
CB. John Mensah. Big, strong, steady, imperious, he was excellent for Ghana. Calmed a young team from the back.
CB. Carles Puyol. What can you say? His goal took Spain to the semifinals, and a team that doesn't give up a single goal in the knock-out rounds can only lose on penalties. Puyol is one of two players on Spain's team who know how to play the hard way (the other is Busquets), and Spain needed all of his steeliness to win the tournament. On the bench, I'll take Diego Lugano, Arne Friedrich, and Antolin Alcaraz.
LB. Fabio Coentrao. His marauding runs up the left flank were about the only thing that made Portugal look good offensively. He displayed more attacking talent than a certain Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup, and it didn't hurt that Portugal only gave up one goal the whole tournament. I don't know if there's another left back who stood out. Bornstein was excellent for the US, but he only played two games. Capdevila was solid for Spain, but he was probably the worst member of their starting 11. Boateng was good for Germany, but he didn't play all the time. Maybe Fucile for Uruguay. He seems a decent choice as a backup.
Holding Midfielder: Bastian Schweinsteiger. Playing against Spain in the midfield is difficult. When the rest of your midfield goes missing it's nearly impossible, but Schweini did a fantastic job against the world's best team. He was also the creative impetus against Argentina and Uruguay when Özil would go missing for long spells. Sergi Busquets and Michael Bradley make my bench.
CMs: XavIniesta. They are inseparable and are the most lethal combination in all of footballdom. It used to be that you talked about strike partners; they've turned it into midfield duos. The creativity of the two is unmatched, and their combination for the Villa goal against Portugal and the Puyol goal against Germany, in addition to Iniesta's tournament-winning extra-time volley against Holland means that both have to make my list. Sneijder and Boateng (the Ghanain one) make my bench here.
RAM: Thomas Müller. It's pretty difficult not to include the tournament's golden boot winner in the team, and that's the case here as well. While his five goals alone weren't enough to win it, his three assists put him over the top. Who knows what Germany might have been able to do against Spain if he hadn't have been suspended. I doubt they would have done much more, but it does lead to speculation. From having never having been capped eight weeks ago to being the tournament's golden boot winner, his rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Robben's on the bench with Landon Donovan, although I would have preferred to have left Robben off.
LAM: Robinho. I'm sure it won't be a popular choice, but Robinho was the only "flair" player to do anything for Brazil at this tournament. His goal against Holland was excellently taken but his assist for Elano to score what would be the winner against North Korea was even more impressive. With Kaka having lost anything resembling form, it was down to Robinho to provide the attacking impetus, and he did so with great aplomb. Gervinho and Andre Ayew make the bench.
Forward: Diego Forlan. He carried Uruguay to the semifinals with the help of Luis Suarez's handball. He was voted best player of the tournament even a non-admirer like me has to admit he was excellent. I don't like him, but he'll start on my all-tournament team. David Villa is relegated to the bench where he'll join Luis Fabiano, Miroslav Klose, and Samuel Eto'o, who did everything he could while being played out of position.
Anyway, I still have a bit more to write about the World Cup before I get into transfers and the forthcoming season so stay tuned.
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