FIFA World Cup 2014: Quarter-Finals Best XI

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Much like the Round of 16, the quarter-final matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup proved to be tight affairs – decided by a single goal, or in Netherland’s case, on penalties. Three of the four games saw an early goal all but seal the contest. It was a case of substance over style as managers chose to pick the side that is most likely to get them through to the semi-final and not one that was going to entertain and enthral the audience.

While none of the four games quite lived up to the billing, there were certainly some key performers in all those games. Whether it was Mats Hummels returning from injury for the Germans and putting in an all-round display or David Luiz proving that PSG were right to buy him or Argentina somehow finding their way past Belgium even though Messi had little in the means of support or the Dutch sneaking into the last four via a penalty shootout thanks to some inspired substitutions from Van Gaal.

There were several key performances in the quarter-final and here is the Best XI from those.

Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas

Keylor Navas in action against the Netherlands

In a tournament that has seen so many standout goalkeepers, arguably the best of the bunch won’t be competing in the semi-final. Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas was brilliant throughout the 120 minutes against the Dutch and showed once again just why he is so highly regarded in Spain, where he currently plays his club football for Levante.

One of the features of Navas’ play has been his ability to not just stop shots but also claim crosses from set-pieces or open play with a great deal of confidence. Against the Oranje, the 27-year-old made 7 saves, including 3 from Dutch captain Robin van Persie who was left frustrated after the keeper’s antics, which meant that he had yet another poor game. He saved everything that came his way and on the two occasions he didn’t, the post came to his rescue.

He walks away from Brazil with three clean sheets from five games and a performance to be proud of.

Defenders: Philipp Lahm – Thiago Silva – Mats Hummels – Benedikt Howedes

Until the game against France, Philipp Lahm played as one of the three central midfielders and excelled in that position. But as many teammates succumbed to a virus, he was forced to play at right back and his deployment in that position had an immediate impact against France. What was a problem position in the first four games, turned into one of their biggest strengths as Lahm thwarted the French attack with precision and finesse.

From being sidelined in the Round of 16 win over Algeria to being the Man of the Match in the quarter-final win over France, Mats Hummels has certainly enjoyed an interesting past few days. Not only did he score the winner, but the 25-year-old centre back also put in a defensive master class that encompassed several crucial tackles, interceptions and blocks to help his side through to their fourth straight World Cup semi-final.

Mats Hummels celebrates his winner against France

Before Brazil’s game against Colombia, there were those who questioned Thiago Silva’s place in the starting line up. On the back of his performance against Colombia, he has left many cringing about the fact that he will be suspended for the semi-final against Germany. Not only did he score the opening goal, the centre back also made a whopping 14 clearances, three blocks and several telling interceptions on his way to a Man of the Match performance.

Prior to the game against France, there were many who thought that the left flank would prove to be Germany’s downfall. In the end, Benedikt Howedes put in a resolute display against Les Bleus, winning a match-high nine tackles and forcing France’s premier attacker in Mathieu Valbuena to the opposite flank. Although he still struggled in the air, his overall performance was enough to prove his detractors wrong.

Midfield: Fernandinho – Javier Mascherano – Wesley Sneijder

Coming up against the tournament’s most potent attacker so far, Manchester City’s Fernandinho certainly had his task cut out for him. Although he was lucky to still be on the pitch after his overtly physical approach to tackling James Rodriguez, the midfielder was a key asset to the side as he not only picked the ball up from midfield, but also managed to make good use of it.

While Messi may get all the plaudits for helping Argentina through to their first semi-final in 24 years, it was the unsung Javier Mascherano who was integral to that. For the Barcelona midfielder had the arduous task of stifling Belgium’s attacking midfielders, which he managed with consummate ease. One of the main reasons why it was so easy for the Argentineans to go through was Mascherano’s ability in central midfield to mop up play and quickly start attacks.

Javier Mascherano tackles Kevin De Bruyne

Although Wesley Sneijder scored the equalizer against Mexico in the Round of 16, coming into the quarter-final against Costa Rica, he had had a quiet tournament thus far. Thrust into an unfamiliar central midfield role against Los Ticos, the playmaker had arguably his best performance of the tournament so far as he ran the show. Sneijder once again proved that he will always be there when his team needs him most with an all-round display that saw him hit the post twice – once from a free kick and another from open play – and almost snatched a winner in normal-time.

Forwards: Arjen Robben – Gonzalo Higuain – Lionel Messi

A goal can do wonders for a striker’s confidence. And that is precisely what happened with Gonzalo Higuain as his early goal gave him the much-needed confidence to go out and express himself. His link-up play was much better and he was more involved than he has been in the tournament so far. He was unlucky not to have had a second goal as his shot struck the crossbar after a brilliant 60-yard solo run.

Even with all of his theatrics, Arjen Robben has without a doubt been one of the most dangerous players in Brazil. Against Costa Rica, Robben cleaned up his attack, stayed on his feet and proved to be a constant thorn in the Costa Rican backline who struggled to keep up with him.

Arjen Robben ran the Costa Rican defence ragged

Although Lionel Messi didn’t score against Belgium and missed an opportunity in injury-time, he was still his side’s most potent attacker and showed that he doesn’t have to score to have an impact on the game. His coach Alejandro Sabella brilliantly summed up his performance when he said: “Messi played a wonderful match. Every move he makes is a sign of hope for us. What he does is always decisive; it’s beyond scoring goals.”