The finest XI of the World Cup in Brazil so far.
The group stage of the 2014 World Cup concluded on Thursday and we now know the 16 teams that will battle it out in the knockout phase of the tournament.
There have been some brilliant performances so far in Brazil and here is the best XI of the competition so far.
GK – Keylor Navas, Costa Rica
Having impressed greatly with Levante last term – and many thinking the 27-year-old should have won La Liga goalkeeper of the season ahead of Thibaut Courtois – Navas has taken his form into the World Cup, where his Costa Rican side surprisingly topped what looked to be a difficult Group D.
RB – Serge Aurier, Ivory Coast
May have been eliminated in the last game, but this Toulouse right-back showed why so many are clambering for his signature with some assured displays – particularly going forward.
CB – Diego Godin, Uruguay
It’s been a varied tournament for the Atletico Madrid defender, but things are certainly getting better, as after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica he was sturdy against England (although perhaps should have been sent off) and scored the goal against Italy that sent the Uruguayans through.
CB – Rafael Marquez, Mexico
Despite struggling in the qualification phase the Mexicans have shown they are no pushovers and at his fourth competition as captain Marquez has ensured they have suffered no defeats and conceded just one goal.
LB – Jose Holebas, Greece
The Greeks managed to scrape through their group at the 11th hour and although went to the next stage with a minus goal difference, this left-back was one of their key sources in the counter attack.
CM – Arturo Vidal, Chile
Although missed the final group game for the Chileans, his absence against Netherlands showed just how important he is to the side and there is no doubting the Juventus midfielder is a world-class performer.
CM – Toni Kroos, Germany
Calmly marshaling the midfield from a slightly deeper role than we’re used to seeing from the Bayern Munich ace, Kroos never looks ruffled and the Germans are looking like a strong unit once more.
CAM – James Rodriguez, Colombia
At 22-years-old this AS Monaco man has helped guide his nation to the knockout phase with maximum points and has scored some important goals along the way.
RW – Arjen Robben, Netherlands
An early contender for the Golden Ball award, Robben has recorded the fastest speed of a footballer ever at this tournament and has also scored three goals and provided an assist.
ST – Lionel Messi, Argentina
Many thought the four-time Ballon d’Or winner would fail again at a World Cup, but Messi has proven any doubters wrong by top-scoring with four goals so far.
LW – Neymar, Brazil
Another 22-year-old and the FC Barcelona forward has the weight of a nation on his shoulders and yet never looks phased, also netting four goals so far and looking utterly confident.
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