The top five biggest surprises of the tournament so far.
This year’s tournament has been one of the most exciting in years, and the action has been non-stop from start to finish, and below are the five biggest surprises and heroes of the 2014 World Cup so far.
5. Goals, Goals, Goals
Going into Saturday’s games there has been 78 goals in the opening one and a half rounds of the tournament, compare that to the 145 that were scored throughout the entirety of the last tournament (of which Spain scored eight) then it can be considered as a true that for the senses. The open nature of the games is a stark contrast to the closed defensive displays in South Africa and fans can expect the net to bulge with continued regularity.
4. France
Since winning the World Cup back in 1998, the French have generally not had a good time at the World Cup, having crashed out at the group stage in 2006, failing in the final at 06 and suffering the indignity of a player inspired media circus four years ago. However, this time around they look like genuine contenders to go all the way. Sure their group is kind, but they survived an overly-physical onslaught by Honduras before stuffing five goals past a talented Switzerland to book their place in the second round.
3. Enner Valencia
The Ecuadorian was not a household name before the tournament began, but after his heroics in Group E he will be the name on everybody’s lips as both Newcastle and Arsenal plot raids to bring him to the Premier League. His three goals in the tournament so far have kept the plucky South American’s in with a chance of making it through to the knockout stages, though they will have to negotiate a tough tie with France, though with Valencia in the mood to cause havoc, he can be expected to add to his tally against Didier Deschamps’ side.
2. Chile
Chile have firmly established themselves as the world’s favourite second team during this tournament with their exciting brand of all out attacking football. Their stars all pepper Europe’s top leagues and as a unit they are capable of taking on anybody, as shown against the hapless Spanish in their second game. The real test is coming up against the Netherlands, though, and the winner will miss out on a nightmare second round clash with hosts Brazil. Australia showed that Louis Van Gaal’s men can be shaken, and a strong showing from the Chileans will give them a great chance at progressing even further.
1. Costa Rica
At the start of the tournament Costa Rica were written off a Group D’s whipping boys, and with no rest surprise either as their previous record at the World Cup had been, well, dreadful. However, they took Uruguay by surprise in the opening clash with a ruthless display lead by Arsenal man Joel Campbell, and then they went one better by frustrating the Italians and reducing them to what will be regarded as an embarrassing defeat. However, they’ve been worth their position at the top of the group and they will be out for blood against England and could further compound Roy Hodgson’s misery.
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