The worst starting line up from the 2014 World Cup.
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There has been some wonderful football on display at the World Cup this year, and naturally there are a few more names to look out for over the coming season. However, for every great new young thing strutting around on the main stage, there is someone who has flopped where they should have shined. A few years ago this team would have been world beaters, now they should be ashamed of their performances.
GK: Iker Casillas – Spain
Once so integral to the golden generation that dominated the international landscape not so long ago, the Real Madrid man showed his rust following a season on the bench. He made several costly errors that led to opposition goals, like his disappearances during the Dutch game and his baffling punch to gift Chile their second goal. Sad to see a great like him turn into a former great.
LB: Leighton Baines – England
Many believed the Everton man to be the natural successor to Ashley Cole in the national team and was tipped to play a key role in this new look England. However, those who believed Cole still should have held on to his place were vindicated as Baines struggled to impose himself in games, and his delivery from wide areas and dead ball scenarios left a lot to be desired.
CB: Pepe – Portugal
The Real Madrid man went into the tournament as a European Champion, and should have been raring to go in the form of his life. However, he let his side down instantly with a thuggish and needless elbow on Germany forward Thomas Muller in the first game and had little input in the final clash against Ghana once his suspension had been served.
CB: Gerard Pique – Spain
The Barca man looked to be a shell of the defender that everyone knows he is and struggled to keep a lid on any of the oppositions forwards. Ran ragged by the likes of Arjen Robben and Alexis Sanchez, he looked tired clumsy throughout.
RB: Sergio Ramos – Spain
Another Spaniard to disappoint and another European champions that failed to live up to the expectation placed on him. Ramos was moved into the middle alongside Pique, and the pair looked disjointed and unsure of each other as they tripped, stumbled, and fell onto an early flight home.