PSG and the World Cup: Act IV, 2014

After two World Cups without a single Parisian in 2006 in Germany and 2010 in South Africa, Paris Saint-Germain was back with a vengeance in Brazil. The capital club boasted no less than ten players – a new club record: Lucas Digne, Blaise Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye for France, Thiago Silva and Maxwell for Brazil, the Italians Salvatore Sirigu, Marco Verratti and Thiago Motta, Edinson Cavani with Uruguay and Ezequiel Lavezzi’s Argentina that lost the final to Germany.

Thiago Silva and Maxwell were on home soil and the Paris Saint-Germain and Seleção captain Thiago Silva led his side to the semi-finals – a match he missed through suspension after picking up a yellow card versus Colombia in the quarters. Thiago could only look on as his side was undone 7-1 by Germany. He returned to defence for the third-fourth play-off alongside Maxwell, who played his only World Cup match before retiring from international football.

Edinson Cavani scored Uruguay’s first goal of the tournament against Costa Rica in a 3-1 loss before beating England and Italy in the group of death. Uruguay were eliminated from the round of 16, 2-0 by Colombia. Ezequiel Lavezzi featured in six matches for Argentina, reaching the final against Germany, losing in extra-time, 1-0: “It’s a huge disappointment. It’s awful to lose like that. We had chances, but we conceded that late goal and didn’t have a chance to come back. But personally, this was a dream come true. I am very happy because it’s not every day you get to play a World Cup final.”

For the Europeans, a 22-year-old Marco Verratti was eliminated at the first hurdle with Italy. Il Gufetto was one of the shining lights for Italy, while Sirigu played his first World Cup match against England and Thiago Motta played all three group games.

Les Bleus, coached by Didier Deschamps went further. Blaise Matuidi played in five matches, scoring against Switzerland in the second group game. Yohan Cabaye was excellent in four appearances, while late call-up Lucas Digne played in the final group game against Ecuador: “It’s incredible to play in a World Cup, especially in front of my family at the Maracana. Everyone was confident. Singing the national anthem with the French fans in my first ever start was simply unforgettable.”