With the first round of group games at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil coming to a close, fanatix picks out the finest starting XI from the tournament so far. GK - Claudio Bravo, Chile The South Americans got their campaign off to a good start with a 3-1 victory over Australia and with Netherlands and Spain also in their group that was important. It could have been so much different had it not been for their goalkeeper however, who made several top-class saves to keep the Socceroos at bay. RB - Serge Aurier, Ivory Coast After going 1-0 down to Japan in their opening match the Ivorians rallied brilliantly in the second half to finish 2-1 victors. Both of the African sides goals came in quick succession and were provided by the ever improving Toulouse right-back Aurier. LB - Daley Blind, Netherlands On the other flank is a Dutchman who was dominant in his nations 5-1 rout of world champions Spain in their opener. Blind was actually operating as more of a wing-back, but looked utterly composed in both defence and attack and provided the assist for his teams first goal. CB - Mario Yepes, Colombia Upon earning his 99th cap for his country Yepes also made his World Cup debut and helped his team to a 3-0 victory. The veteran may get exposed by more agile attacking sides than Greece, but for this display the captain deserves his spot. CB - Mats Hummels, Germany As well as keeping a Portugal side including Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo at bay, Borussia Dortmund centre back Mats Hummels scored the second goal in Germanys impressive World Cup opener. He remains one of the very best players in his position in the game. CM - Oscar, Brazil It looked as if Croatia may spoil the hosts party when they took an early lead in the very first match of the tournament. Yet this Chelsea playmaker sprung into action and provided all of the Brazilians creativity and settled things with a late goal to make it 3-1. CM - Andrea Pirlo, Italy Despite now being 35-years-old Pirlo proved he is still one of the best central midfielders in world football with a fine performance against England. The Juventus veteran pulled all the strings in the middle and almost score a sublime free-kick that completely bamboozled Joe Hart. CM - Tim Cahill, Australia Even though his side lost 3-1 and look unlikely to make the last-16 with the Dutch and the Spanish up next, Cahill was in typically fine fettle. The New York Red Bulls midfielder scored his country. only goal with a solid header and caused the Chileans problems all game. RW - Thomas Muller, Germany A little like the Netherlands v Spain match, a supposed even game was very lopsided as the Germans beat Portugal 4-0 in their opener. On his 50th cap for the country this Bayern Munich forward scored twice - although was also involved in the red card given to opposition defender Pepe. ST - Robin van Persie, Netherlands Leading the line in out best XI is a Manchester United striker who netted twice in the superb win for Louis van Gaals men. The first from van Persie was particularly special, as the 30-year-old got onto a fine cross from Blind and looped a header over Iker Casillas. LW - Arjen Robben, Netherlands Like van Persie this Bayern winger also scored twice in the victory over the Spaniards and his goals were arguably even more impressive. The second from Robben was particularly breathtaking, with the 30-year-old leaving Sergio Ramos for dead as he sped down the pitch, before rounding Casillas to smash home the fifth for his nation
Posted on: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 19:42:39 +0000
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