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For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the quarterfinals will be contested between the eight group winners. But that was not before the group runners-up put on a stubborn fight, and gave each of the quarterfinalists a run for their money. Out of the 8 games, only one – Colombia vs Uruguay – was decided comfortably, with the Colombians outclassing La Celeste.
As far as individual performances go, almost every country had a hero. One man who made the country proud. For the winners, one man who became a hero. For the teams that didn’t go through, men who could leave with their heads held high.
This has been a World Cup to thoroughly sit back and enjoy. The Round of 16 games once again proved that on football’s biggest stage, no team is a pushover.
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Be it Algeria’s near-upset of the Germans, or Nigeria’s plucky showing against France or Chile stretching the hosts all the way, this World Cup has reminded us that football is indeed the beautiful game.
Here’s a look at the Best eleven from the Round of 16.
Tim Howard
The American put in a special performance. A performance that President Barrack Obama deemed impressive enough to warrant a personal congratulatory phone call. Howard was absolutely unbeatable during the 90 minutes There was wave after wave of Belgium attacks, but Howard stood firm amidst the onslaught.
On the day, Belgium had 39 shots; of the ones on target, 16 were saved by Howard. The two that weren’t came from Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in extra time. And even though Julian Green pulled back a late goal for the US, it was too little too late, as not even Howard managed to save the day for the USMNT.
Defence: DeAndre Yedlin – Vincent Kompany – Thiago Silva – Pablo Armero
Yedlin was absolutely sensational for a man who only played the bulk of the game due to an injury to Fabian Johnson. He was terrific up against a potentially explosive Belgian left flank of Eden Hazard and Jan Vertonghen. But he made sure that he subdued Hazard, and was exceptional going forward
Kompany might not have kept a clean sheet in this round but once again showed that he is well and truly the heart and soul of this Belgian side. It was Kompany’s drive and determination that lifted Belgium when it looked as though the day would belong to Tim Howard. Kompany showed once again why he is so loved, not only in Belgium, but also in the blue half of Manchester, and he is slowly but surely becoming one of the defenders that strikers dread playing against.
Silva is the one rock that is preventing this Brazilian defense from capitulation. For all of their flair and skill going forward, Brazil have been found wanting defensively on multiple occasions. David Luiz, for all his exceptional composure on the ball, is not doing his job of helping Silva out. Dani Alves and Marcelo might be brilliant going forward, but once again, defensively, there will be questions raised.
If not for Silva and Julio Cesar, we could have well had the quarterfinals minus the host nation as Chile put on a determined performance against an insipid Brazil.
Armero has been the best full back on display in this World Cup, let alone knockout stages. He bombs forward at every possible opportunity, and defensively, is a tough nut to crack. Armero has got electric pace, and delivers fantastic crosses from the left flank. While James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado have taken a lot of the plaudits for Colombia, their full backs have also been fantastic, with Armero and Juan Camillo Zuniga on the other side, putting in tireless performances.
Midfield: Gokhan Inler – Paul Pogba
Inler, the Swiss captain, led by example against Argentina in a heart-breaking match for the Swiss. They had thwarted Lionel Messi and co. for 118 minutes, when Messi sparked into life once again to feed Angel Di Maria. But, throughout the game, although Messi did have his openings, Inler made sure he outmuscled Messi, shut down his space, and made Argentina look elsewhere for openings. It was rather poetic that when Messi did find the opening after 118 minutes, he did so when a Swiss error caught Inler out of position.
Pogba drove the French forward alongwith Mathieu Valbuena and could have had a couple more goals, had it not been for his own lack of composure and Vincent Enyeama. Pogba has developed into one of the hottest young talents in world football, and he put in another performance for the experts to rave on about. Pogba also got the goal that set France on their way.
Attacking midfield: Alexis Sanchez – Lionel Messi – James Rodriguez
Alexis Sanchez had an absolutely outstanding game for Chile against Brazil. He got the goal that brought Chile back on level terms and was a constant thorn in the Brazilian defenders’ flesh. He never tired and kept up the pace in the heat of Belo Horizonte for the full 120 minutes. That perhaps got to him, as it led to his only blip of the day, when he missed the penalty in the shootout, thanks to a decent save from Julio Cesar.
James Rodriguez has without a shadow of a doubt been the player of the tournament at this World Cup. He’s got 5 goals and 2 assists to his name, and has been the catalyst behind Colombia’s wonderful run.” More of the same against Brazil, James!” is what the Colombia fans will be saying.
Where would Argentina be if not for that little man carrying the burden of expectation? Messi has finally lived up to his reputation in the colours of the Albiceleste, as he once again put in a terrific display despite being heavily marked and put under physical pressure by the Swiss midfield, led by Inler. Messi set up the goal for Di Maria that put Argentina in the quarterfinals.
Attack: Islam Slimani
Slimani led an absolutely brilliant Algerian display against Germany. He pressed the German defense off the ball, and when the Algerians were on the ball, intelligent movement, and his pace ensured that he got in behind the German rearguard. But, he was denied by an inspired Manuel Neuer, who played the role of a sweeping goalkeeper to perfection, as the Germans once again broke Algerian hearts.
Substitutes
Manuel Neuer, Pablo Zabaleta, Omar Gonzalez, Luiz Gustavo, Angel Di Maria, Arjen Robben, Klaas Jan Huntelaar
Manager: Jose Pekerman
Pekerman has led this wonderfully talented bunch of Colombia’s best footballers into the World Cup, and got them playing a wonderfully exciting brand of attacking football. The likes of James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado have been given full freedom to display their attacking talents, but Pekerman has not forgotten the defensive side of things, with Yepes and Zapata leading the way there.
