CaughtOffside picks the worst XI of the 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage.
With the group stages of the 2014 FIFA World Cup now having drawn to a close, a number of the countries who were fancied for a tilt at the trophy have been knocked out of one of the most unpredictable tournaments in living memory. With a number of top class players having underperformed as Spain, Italy, Portugal and England find themselves eliminated before the knock-out stages, we’ve put together an XI of flops from the competition so far.
GK) Iker Casillas (Spain)
Perhaps we should’ve seen this coming? Spanish record cap holder and legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas has been reserve to Diego Lopez at Real Madrid for some time now and, when he was given a chance in the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid, he was at fault for Diego Godin’s opening goal.
That misdemeanor was nothing compared to the calamitous World Cup that was endured by Casillas, however, as he was directly at fault for two goals in their 5-1 mauling at the hands of the Netherlands and another one in the 2-0 defeat to Chile that eliminated them from the tournament.
RB) Glen Johnson (England)
England and Liverpool right back has long been criticised for his defensive abilities, something which again came to the fore as the Three Lions were sent home from the tournament without a victory to their name.
Despite providing the assist for Wayne Rooney to equalise against Uruguay, Johnson appeared to be constantly exposed in England’s two defeats to the Uruguayans and Italy.
Pepe (Portugal)
It is well known that the biggest flaw in Portuguese defender Pepe’s game is his inability to keep a cool head, something that once again surfaced at this World Cup.
Pepe’s red card for a headbutt on Thomas Muller in their opening 4-0 defeat to Germany proved to be the decisive moment for Portugal, who went on to be eliminated from the competition on goal difference by the USA.
CB) Gerard Pique (Spain)
It was hardly a surprise that Barcelona and Spain defender Gerard Pique was dropped after La Roja’s humiliating 5-1 defeat to The Netherlands, with the former Manchester United man having been eviscerated by the speed and movement of the Dutch attack.
Such was the extent to which Pique was left all at sea against the Orange shirted assassins buzzing around him, he was perhaps grateful to have been replaced by Javi Martinez for the defeat to Chile.
LB) Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Cameroon)
Tottenham Hotspur left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto endured a miserable World Cup with Cameroon, as the Indomitable Lions lost all three games following a dispute with their federation over bonus payments.
Assou-Ekotto topped it all off against Croatia when, with his side trailing 4-0, he appeared to headbutt teammate Benjamin Moukandjo whilst on the pitch.
CM) Xabi Alonso (Spain)
Xabi Alonso may have mocked Holland’s Nigel de Jong in the build up to the tournament, but the joke ended up being on the Real Madrid man as he was simply overrun in Spain’s 5-1 defeat to The Netherlands.
The result was enough for Alonso to confirm that he would be retiring from international football after the World Cup, a decision that is sensible based on his poor performances in Brazil for La Roja.
CM) Steven Gerrard (England)
England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard endured disappointment at the end of the Premier League season with his club as the Reds were pipped to the Premier League title by Manchester City, a hangover that seemed to permeate his England form.
Gerrard was the worst player on the pitch in the Three Lions’ defeats to Italy and Uruguay, with his wayward passing and lack of defensive protection coming to a head when his error allowed in Luis Suarez to deliver the hammer blow to England’s chances of progression.
CM) Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)
Whilst Yaya Toure could be forgiven for having his mind elsewhere during this World Cup, the Manchester City star rarely shows his club form for a golden Ivory Coast generation who have failed to live up to their billing.
Sabri Lamouchi’s side crashed out in the World Cup group stages for the third tournament in a row after conceding an injury time winner against a spirited but limited Greece side.
SC) Mario Balotelli (Italy)
Italy striker Mario Balotelli has been strongly linked with Arsenal this summer, but his performances at the World Cup for the Azzuri were disappointing after the opening match against England.
Balotelli was frustrated against both Costa Rica and Uruguay, picking up two bookings and never looking like scoring, with his main contributions to the games being a constant ability to be flagged offside.
SC) Hulk (Brazil)
Brazilian forward Hulk tends to play wide for his nation, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that the Zenit St. Petersburg is naturally an attacker from his insipid displays for the Selecao so far.
Hulk has never been a favourite with the Brazilian public and it is easy to see why, with the bulky forward offering little goal threat – despite the criticism leveled at him, lone forward Fred did at least find the net against Cameroon.
SC) Diego Costa (Spain)
Reported big-money Chelsea target Diego Costa endured a torrid World Cup, appearing to hinder Spain’s quick passing style more than he was able to offer it a focal point.
Despite a fine season for Atletico Madrid Costa looked both lost and unfit, rarely looking like scoring. His biggest contribution to the tournament was perhaps a headbutt on Dutch defender Bruno Martins Indi that went unpunished by the referee.