The worst starting line up from the 2014 World Cup.
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.
CM: Alex Song – Cameroon
Though nobody can sneer at Cameroon for failing to escape from a difficult group, many would have thought that they would have made a bigger fight of it. In a must win game against Croatia, Song lashed out and punched Mario Mandzukic in the back, earning himself a red card and condemning his country to an even rougher evening. Silly when you consider that he could have used the tournament as a shop window as he searches for an exit from Barcelona.
RW: Antonio Valencia – Ecuador
Valencia is an established star on the world stage now, and more was expected of him. However, as the South Americans crashed out at the group stage he was overshadowed by his namesake, Enner, and topped off a dismal display be getting himself sent off during the final game against France.
LW: Paulinho – Brazil
While none of the Brazilians made a positive impression during the semi-final humiliation against Germany, the Spurs midfielder was by far the worst of the worst. He would have helped the side more had he not been there as Jeremy Wilson’s said: “One of the worst midfield performances in World Cup history.”
RF: Edinson Cavani – Uruguay
Having been forced to occupy a wider position instead of his favoured role through the middle, the giant striker looked devoid of confidence as he failed to impress whilst in the PSG shop window. Scored once, but it was from the spot.
CF: Diego Costa – Spain
Having chose to represent Spain over his native Brazil he looked out of place and out of sorts leading La Rioja’s frontline. Coming off the back of a prolific season with Atletico Madrid, he looked a shadow of the player that Chelsea agreed to spend £32m on.
LF: Fred – Brazil
The bulky forward became the poster boy of the mediocre Brazilian output at this year’s tournament as he struggled to score just once in six games. During the semi-final against Germany his every touch was booed by a disgruntled home support.
SEE ALSO: The Top 10 Strikers In The World Right Now!