FIFA World Cup Final 2010 – The Top 11 performances of the world cup
After 64 pulsating encounters and emotional highs and lows, the World Cup has ended with Spain deservedly winning the Cup but along they way there had been some mesmerizing performances.
So here is the Team of the World Cup.
Goal Keeper - Iker Casillas - Spain
The Real Madrid star, who kissed his journalist girlfriend Sara Carbonero live on Spanish Television at the post match interview, has been one of the star performers at this world cup. He only conceded two goals through out the tournament and kept a clean sheet throughout the knock out stages of the world making some stellar saves.
Left-back – Giovanni van Bronckhorst - Netherlands
It is sad to see the Dutch captain bidding farewell to football on such a note but he can be proud of his performances as he lead by example and was one of the star acts of the world cup. Perhaps he will make up for the loss winning the trophy one day as a coach.
Centre-back – Freidrich - Germany
Germany were never given credit for there defence as their counterattacking tactics were the mainstay of their success at this world cup but one man who stood out from the rest is Arne Freidrich, who stood like a rock at the heart of the defence.
Centre-back – Carlos Puyol - Spain
Was almost sent off in the final as he tried his best to bring down Robben in the final and although his lack of pace was brutally exposed but his positioning, vision and reading of game are unmatched in the game. He alongside Gerrard Pique were the centre rocks on which the mean Spanish defence was based.
Right-back – Gregory van der Weil - Netherlands
Emerged as one of the star finds of this tournament and with his scintillating performances that led the Dutch charge to the finals are only worthy of him being named in the star 11 of this World Cup.
Midfielder – Thomas Muller - Germany
There is always a gem that is uncovered at a world cup and this year it was Thomas Muller. How can the winner of the golden boot be left out of the star 11 of the world cup, for his outstanding performance.
Midfielder – Wesley Sneijder - Netherlands
Five goals in 7 matches will be a testament to any player’s credentials and if you do it at the world cup, it feels even better. Sneijder enjoyed the best year of his life and after winning the Italian treble of trophies including the Champions league, he will only be a little disappointed on not wining the world cup. However, his performances have left the world awestruck more than once in the competition.
Midfielder – Andres Iniesta – Spain
At only five feet seven inches tall, he is one of the best midfielders in the world and in tandem with Xavi and Xabi, he formed an imperious trio in the Spanish midfield that dominated their opponents throughout the World cup. Iniesta also scored the only goal in the final and when a player like Fabregas’s stature is kept out of the playing 11, Iniesta must be something special, which he sure proved.
Striker – David Villa - Spain
You cannot leave a striker out who has scored 5 goals in 7 matches and although he could not bag the golden boot award, he was still in inspired form throughout the world cup. Villa gave an impressive performance through out the world cup.
Striker – Miroslave Klose - Germany
Although he was kept out of the Bayern Munich squad by Ivica Olic, Gomez and Meuller almost all season but the 32 year old scored four goals in the competition and is now number 2 on the list of all-time leading goal scorers in World cup history.
Striker – Diego Forlan - Uruguay
The only man in the world cup who could somewhat control the swing and swerve of the Jabulani. Won the golden ball award in the tournament and performed every time his country needed him but without Suarez in the semi final, he was a cannon without a cannon ball but still played his heart out.
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