From Daily Telegraph Sports section
BEST GAME
Brazil v Chile: It was only in the last 16 and it may not have had the traumatic, historic resonance of Brazil’s semi-final loss to Germany or the controversy of their quarter-final win over Colombia but for the intensity of the occasion and the excitement of the match then it has to be Brazil’s penalty shoot out victory against Chile.
The atmosphere inside the Estadio Mineirao was quite extraordinary, the decibel levels unprecedented as the fans chanted “Acredito” (I believe) amid scenes that were almost primal. There were tears from Brazil goalkeeper Julio César before the penalty shoot-out while the bravery of Chile’s brilliant, attacking football was incredible.
WORST GAME
Costa Rica v England: This was the dullest of dead rubbers, although it should not have been. England were out of the World Cup after they followed a performance full of positivity against Italy with one full of poverty against Uruguay – and then they served up this dross. It was an embarrassment, given this was a World Cup: shamefully, it looked like England could not get out of Brazil quickly enough.
[video=youtube;U0inif3b1EQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0inif3b1EQ&feature=player_embedded[/video]
Brazil v Germany: This was car-crash viewing; a party that turned into a wake. It was painful to watch, an exercise in national panic that will resonate through the decades. Having reached the semi finals it was felt that the Seleçao had avoided embarrassment at their own World Cup. How wrong we were. Brazil were a shambles, the foolishness of their maudlin approach to the injured Neymar, the folly of Luiz Felipe Scolari constantly playing on the emotions of a nation and the limitations of his team cruelly exposed by German brilliance.
BEST COACH
Louis van Gaal: There have been some outstanding candidates: Germany’s Joachim Löw, Chile’s Jorge Sampaoli and Costa Rica’s Jorge Pinto all had brilliant tournaments and exposed the folly of the argument that international management is not about coaching or developing tactical plans and simply boils down to man management. But for fun and variety and a bit of devilment, it has to be Van Gaal, who became a compelling figure for his tactics, boldness and arrogance in leading a limited Dutch squad to the semi-finals.
BEST GOALKEEPER
Manuel Neuer: Guillermo Ochoa for Mexico, Tim Howard for the USA and Sergio Romero for Argentina were all exemplary but it has to be Neuer, who cemented his status as the world’s best with a series of formidable displays for Germany. Neuer has everything – agility, power, presence – and is the ultimate modern goalkeeper with his distribution, ability to play with his feet and being a ‘sweeper-keeper’.
BEST DEFENDER
Mats Hummels: In such an attacking World Cup the defending, at times, has been poor. There have been few impressive defenders, especially in the centre, and even fewer who appear able to back themselves in a one against-one situation. Of the recognised top defenders Hummels has been the most impressive.
BEST MIDFIELDER
Toni Kroos: Aged 24, the German is now very much the complete midfield player who can hold and attack, pass and shoot and boasts significant physical presence. He has been brilliant in a formidable German line-up in front of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira. Honourable mentions, though, should go to France’s Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo (wonderful against England), Javier Mascherano, Chile’s Charles Aranguiz and Arturo Vidal. There was also Colombia’s outstanding James Rodríguez, although he is more a No 10.
BEST STRIKER
Lionel Messi: There have been some great performances and not least from Arsenal’s new £30 million striker Alexis Sánchez, Holland’s Arjen Robben, Germany’s Thomas Müller and, of course, Brazil’s Neymar. Ultimately, however, it has to be Messi. The captain of Argentina has not been at his irrepressible best but there is an aura about him that has not only affected opponents but, at times, has almost intimidated his team-mates. He has a presence, a tranquillity and the confidence to know that he will make a difference.
BEST INDIVIDUAL DISPLAY
[video=youtube;AONtS4iHeNY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AONtS4iHeNY[/video]
Neymar (v Croatia): Having fallen behind and laboured in Sao Paulo it could have turned ugly for the hosts until the boy wonder striker intervened. He scored twice but it was more the way that he assumed the role as his country’s saviour that was so remarkable.