1) Colombia ▲4
They promised to do it without Radamel Falcao, and Colombia have been as good as their word. The rampaging manner in which they topped Group C, with a 100% record and a plus-seven goal difference, seems to have gone under the radar. The playmaker James Rodríguez has been the star turn, scoring in the wins against Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan and creating two goals for Jackson Martínez in the last of these, but others such as Martínez and Teófilo Gutiérrez have also stepped up to make their talisman’s absence seem an irrelevance. Colombia’s transitions from defence to attack are thrillingly swift and, even if their back line has not yet been tested to its limit, they look a very good bet to go far.
Match report: Colombia 2-1 Ivory Coast
Match report: Colombia 3-0 Greece
Match report: Colombia 4-1 Japan
2) Holland ▲1
Hope, rather than expectation, was bestowed upon Louis van Gaal’s side when they travelled to Brazil. They were viewed by many as third-favourites to progress from Group B behind Spain and Chile, but questions centred around the raft of youngsters in the squad and the eternal conundrum of whether Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie could hit it off simultaneously. They answered the second in stunning fashion against Spain in their first game; the second match, against Australia, was more frayed in nature but a dogged, efficient 2-0 win over the Chileans confirmed that Van Gaal’s collection of youth and experience can skin a cat in several different ways. The suspicion is that another performance like that produced against the Australians will cost them, but Holland have done enough to be taken very seriously.
Match report: Holland 5-1 Spain
Match report: Holland 3-2 Australia
Match report: Holland 2-0 Chile
3) Brazil ▲4
Are Brazil going to time their run to perfection? They haven’t quite convinced yet despite qualifying from Group A in relative comfort and, even though the shouts of “scandal” that accompanied their somewhat lucky win over Croatia on the opening night have died down, question marks remain. Neymar is carrying the fight in style and Fred is, however fortunately, off the mark after scoring against Cameroon, but Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side have been more diligent than dazzling thus far, with the impact made by Fernandinho in that match with the Indomitable Lions highlighting that incisive possession football had hitherto been a problem. Then again, Scolari is a master of playing for the result – and if his team are, as we might cautiously discern, gathering momentum then it would be difficult not to see him pulling off several more.
Match report: Brazil 3-1 Croatia
Match report: Brazil 0-0 Mexico
Match report: Brazil 4-1 Cameroon
4) Germany ▶
Job done so far for the Germans, whose early rout of Portugal removed any real doubts about their fortunes in a tough-looking group. Ghana gave them a scare in Fortaleza, although that merely afforded Miroslav Klose the chance to write his name in the history books, and thoughts of a cordial draw with USA were banished when Thomas Müller added to his hat-trick against the Portuguese with a second-half winner. Germany have not been at their best since that opening game, but they have hardly needed to be: in theory, a second-round meeting with Algeria should keep them keen enough for a likely quarter-final with France. Marco Reus’s absence has not been felt yet, although they may miss his change of pace in later rounds.
Match report: Germany 4-0 Portugal
Match report: Germany 2-2 Ghana
5) Argentina ▲1
Perhaps Messidependencia is justified. Argentina might just have been in a bit of trouble were it not for player who has appeared determined to make this tournament his. They eventually won Group F at a stroll but Lionel Messi’s solo goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina and, most importantly, his stupendous last-gasp hit against Iran were immeasurable in value, and his arcing free-kick against Nigeria was pretty handy, too. His contribution has papered over plenty of cracks; Argentina were ragged in their opening game against Bosnia and uninspired against the Iranians, and there is justifiable concern about a lack of quality behind their feted front three – one of whom, Sergio Agüero, may miss the rest of the tournament. But with Messi in this mood, will it matter?
Match report: Argentina 2-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Match report: Argentina 1-0 Iran
Match report: Argentina 3-2 Nigeria
6) France ▼5
We might not get the true measure of France until – if – they face Germany in the quarter-finals, but the unity and verve displayed by Didier Deschamps’ team have had critics rubbing their eyes. Honduras provided a straightforward start, but the manner in which Switzerland were dismantled was exhilarating. Whisper it, but France look sharper and more coherent without Franck Ribéry, and their wide options are particularly intriguing. Karim Benzema, who has three goals already, has played both centrally and on the left – Olivier Giroud leading the line brilliantly against the Swiss – while Mathieu Valbuena and Antoine Griezmann have both impressed. All of a sudden, Deschamps has flexibility throughout his squad – and appears to have instilled a strong sense of commitment and discipline, too.
Match report: France 3-0 Honduras
Match report: France 5-2 Switzerland
Match report: France 0-0 Ecuador
7) Belgium ▲2
Among the pre-tournament favourites in some eyes, Belgium are in the curious position of perhaps seeing their stock fall despite claiming nine points from nine in Group H. All of their wins came late on and, while this says plenty for the fitness and resolve of Marc Wilmots’ team, few would say things have clicked. Movement on and off the ball has been laboured, and the absence of Christian Benteke in attack – Romelu Lukaku has, so far, proved no replacement – has been keenly felt. The squad has depth, though: a much-changed side defeated South Korea with 10 men, while the contribution of the teenager Divock Origi has been both surprising and decisive. If they improve, they can still be a major force – but USA will run them all the way in the last 16.
Match report: Belgium 1-0 Russia
Match report: Belgium 2-1 Algeria
Match report: Belgium 1-0 South Korea
8) Mexico ▲2
What a wonderful tournament Miguel Herrera’s team are having. They have barely missed a beat since kicking off against Cameroon – a game in which they shrugged off having two goals wrongly disallowed to win with style. Their subsequent draw with Brazil was thoroughly deserved, even if the exploits of the goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa took the headlines, and they kept their heads brilliantly to see off Croatia – keeping their opponents at arm’s length before tiring them into submission and killing them off ruthlessly. Mexico will take on Holland full of confidence: Héctor Herrera gave a midfield masterclass on Monday night while, in front of him, Oribe Peralta and Giovani Dos Santos continue to look sharp. Add a pair of exciting wing-backs and the option of Javier Hernández, and they have the tools to go further still.
Match report: Mexico 1-0 Cameroon
Match report: Mexico 0-0 Brazil
Match report: Mexico 3-1 Croatia
9) Chile ▼7
Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that Chile found no way through against the Holland side that smothered them with surprising effectiveness in their third game. Expectations might have skyrocketed otherwise: a dizzying first-half spell against Australia had set the tone nicely enough but the 90 minutes of sustained excellence that toppled Spain at the Maracanã seemed to be the crystallisation of all the pre-tournament hype. Perhaps Jorge Sampaoli’s team really could go all the way. They will have to do it the hard way now, facing a Brazil side that will have noted how the Dutch dulled Chile’s high-intensity game, and will need to hope that the influential Arturo Vidal – barely fit before the tournament but heroic against the Spaniards – can set their tempo once more.
Match report: Chile 3-1 Australia
Match report: Chile 0-2 Holland
10) USA ▲2
Second place in Group G seemed there for the taking from the start, and the USA proved far more resilient and consistent in their application than Portugal or Ghana. They did not quite maintain the pace they set through Clint Dempsey’s first-minute goal against Ghana but John Brooks’ winner in that game proved the most significant moment in the group. It meant the USA could probably afford a draw with the Portuguese, although they were bitterly disappointed to be pegged back with the last touch of a game they had dominated. Jürgen Klinsmann’s team is short on stars but big on heart and reliability, and has adapted well to Jozy Altidore’s early injury. Their match with Belgium does not look easy to call.
Match report: USA 2-2 Portugal
11) Costa Rica ▼3
The success story of the tournament so far. Costa Rica were supposed to be a carrion for the rest of the group of death to feed on but ended up being the ones gorging on their carcasses. After overturning a first-half deficit against Uruguay they defeated Italy with a performance that was all the more impressive for the way in which you could see Bryan Ruiz’s winner coming, and a draw with England was a pleasant enough way to celebrate topping the group. Jorge Luis Pinto’s team counterattack at speed, led by the Arsenal striker Joel Campbell, FC Copenhagen’s Christian Bolaños and the outstanding Rosenborg wing-back Cristian Gamboa, and is based on a defensive block that has been breached only by Edinson Cavani’s penalty. Potential quarter-finalists? You bet.
Match report: Costa Rica 3-1 Uruguay
Match report: Costa Rica 1-0 Italy
Match report: Costa Rica 0-0 England
12) Algeria ▲7
Vahid Halilhodzic is an excellent early shout for coach of the tournament. While it was well documented that he had moved Algeria away from the dire football produced in 2010, little appeared to have changed when a dogged rearguard action was finally breached by Belgium in their first game. In fact, this was simply a pragmatic – and nearly successful – attempt to wrest points from superior opponents: against South Korea, Algeria cut loose and produced one of the tournament’s best attacking displays, setting up a decider with Russia in which they showed both faces to come from behind and reach the knockout stages for the first time. Germany should prove too strong, but Halilhodzic and Algeria have shown such variation that they cannot be taken lightly.
Match report: Algeria 1-2 Belgium
Match report: Algeria 4-2 South Korea
Match report: Algeria 1-1 Russia
13) Switzerland ▲5
Switzerland have been an enigma so far and, if they do not tighten up, will probably be picked off by Argentina. A flat performance against Ecuador was rescued by two substitutes and eventually decided their progress, while their efforts against a vibrant French side seemed little more than suicidal at times. Even their 3-0 win against Honduras was notable for the number of times in which their centre-backs – a problem area marked “urgent” – were exposed by limited opponents. Against all that, Xherdan Shaqiri’s hat-trick suggested that one the gifted playmaker is peaking at the right time, while Granit Xhaka’s consolation against the French showed that he, too, can provide penetration – but for all their midfield riches, the Swiss appear likely to fall short elsewhere.
Match report: Switzerland 2-1 Ecuador
Match report: Switzerland 2-5 France
Match report: Switzerland 3-0 Honduras
14) Greece ▲11
When will we learn? It is impossible to write off a Greece side that, time and again, presents more than the sum of its parts. As at Euro 2012, Fernando Santos’s side brushed off a poor start to pip a far better-placed rival to the post. Ivory Coast were the victims this time in a game that was notable for an uncharacteristically imaginative attacking display from the Greeks, although it took a last-gasp Giorgios Samaras penalty to turn the tables so spectacularly. A resilient performance against Japan after an early Kostas Katsouranis red card was what had kept them alive in the first place; perhaps Greece, who will not mind facing Costa Rica now, have more to their bow than expected.
Match report: Greece 0-3 Colombia
Match report: Greece 0-0 Japan
Match report: Greece 2-1 Ivory Coast
15) Nigeria ▲1
Nigeria have, eventually, thrived on being given space to play in. Iran smothered them in an exasperating first match, denying open grass to their pacy forwards, but Bosnia-Herzegovina’s setup was an open invitation to Michael Babatunde, Emmanuel Emenike, and, particularly, Ahmed Musa, who overran them down the flanks and made light of the fact that Stephen Keshi’s side has little inspiration in central areas. Musa stepped up yet further in an entertaining match with Argentina, scoring two fine goals, and if France leave themselves exposed on Monday then perhaps Nigeria will capitalise. The defence lacks mobility, though, and a more immediate problem seems to have reared its head in – you guessed it – an argument about player bonuses.
Match report: Nigeria 0-0 Iran
Match report: Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Match report: Nigeria 2-3 Argentina
16) Uruguay ▼2
It begins and, most probably, ends with you-know-who. Uruguay’s preparations were clouded by major doubts over Luis Suárez’s fitness and he was sorely missed when Costa Rica struck three times in the second half of their opening game to leave them on the brink. His return and subsequent performance against England were, regardless of anything that has happened since, an astonishing feat and meant victory over Italy would send an otherwise workmanlike Uruguay through. They grafted and growled against the Italians and gained their reward – but the headlines were made by Suárez’s encounter with Giorgio Chiellini and, with the striker now ruled out of the tournament, the Colombians should have too much quality in their meeting on Saturday.
Match report: Uruguay 1-3 Costa Rica
Match report: Uruguay 2-1 England
Match report: Uruguay 1-0 Italy
17) Ivory Coast ▼2
Not the most crushing disappointment but certainly the most crushingly disappointed. If Giovanni Sio had not tripped Giorgios Samaras (or did he?) at the end of their meeting with Greece, the Elephants would have made it to the last 16. We won’t see Didier Drogba at another World Cup now; the same might be said of Yaya Touré, too. One generation has died out but there were, at least, green shoots from another: the right-back Serge Aurier did his hopes of an Arsenal move no harm with two assists against Japan that seemed to have set them fair, while Gervinho and Wilfred Bony both emerged with their stock enhanced. Not so their coach, Sabri Lamouchi, who has resigned.
Match report: Ivory Coast 2-1 Japan
Match report: Ivory Coast 1-2 Colombia
Match report: Ivory Coast 1-2 Greece
18) Ecuador ▼1
The World Cup will miss Enner Valencia, the diminutive striker whose elastic leap inspired awe and whose three goals would, another time, have seen them through to a tie with Argentina. That might have been achieved if Antonio Valencia, the Manchester United winger, had not been sent off against a much-changed France side with Reinaldo Rueda’s slow burner of a gameplan seemingly starting to pay off. While respectable in isolation, a draw was not enough, the attack that broke down and let Switzerland in for Haris Seferovic’s late, late winner in the first game eventually deciding their fate. Enner Valencia and the winger Jefferson Montero will surely soon be plucked from the Mexican league by whoever can afford to do so.
Match report: Ecuador 1-2 Switzerland
Match report: Ecuador 2-1 Honduras
Match report: Ecuador 0-0 France
19) Spain ▲11
The 3-0 win over Australia provided a few nice endnotes – David Villa’s backheeled goal, for example, was surely valedictory – but it couldn’t paper over any cracks. An era has concluded and in the most sobering manner. In control against the Dutch for nearly 45 minutes, they capitulated in a manner unthinkable during what had been six years of complete dominance; when the chance came to put things right against Chile, they were outfought and outplayed by a team as relentless on and off the ball as they used to be. Spain have a fine batch of youngsters to lead the inevitable regeneration, whether under Vicente del Bosque or not, but this was a sad and sudden end for the finest international side of their time.
Match report: Spain 1-5 Holland
Match report: Spain 3-0 Australia
20) Croatia ▼7
Niko Kovac’s team seemed to enter the World Cup under the radar, despite having a midfield trio of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovacic that most would die for. They soon announced themselves with a vigorous opening display against Brazil that deserved at least a point; when they put four past Cameroon, they appeared to be well on track for the last 16. But they fell badly short in their must-win final game against Mexico, visibly wilting in the Manaus humidity and eventually being overrun by the Central Americans. Ivan Perisic excelled on his step up to this level, scoring twice, while the veteran Ivica Olic was a rampaging presence on the left, but Croatia proved to be one of several European teams outdone by a combination of highly skilled opponents and oppressive conditions.
Match report: Croatia 1-3 Brazil
Match report: Croatia 4-0 Cameroon
Match report: Croatia 1-3 Mexico
21) Italy ▼10
What went wrong? Although Italy’s win over England wasn’t without flaws, it seemed implausible that they wouldn’t garner enough from their final two games to make it through the group. But defeat against Costa Rica cost them dearly: Mario Balotelli missed the early chance that would eventually define his tournament and Cesare Prandelli’s side were puzzlingly subdued thereafter. A point against Uruguay in what descended into a cynical, bitty affair would still have sufficed but the writing was on the wall when Claudio Marchisio was sent off and Diego Godín’s late winner came as little surprise. Andrea Pirlo’s influence faded after the England win and, overall, Italy may reflect on a lack of aggression in midfield and attacking areas.
Match report: Italy 2-1 England
Match report: Italy 0-1 Costa Rica
Match report: Italy 0-1 Uruguay
22) Bosnia-Herzegovina ▲5
Regrets? They’ll have a few. If Sead Kolasinac had not put through his own net within three minutes of the Bosnians’ World Cup bow, perhaps a highly vulnerable-looking Argentina side would have been shocked; if Edin Dzeko’s legitimate first-half goal against with Nigeria had stood, perhaps the errors that led to Peter Odemwingie’s winner minutes later would have been immaterial; if Safet Susic had sent out teams with the balance and conviction that ensured Iran were beaten so comfortably, perhaps the above would not even have registered. It was a frustrating fortnight for Bosnia in what proved to be a weak group. As expected, they played some fine football – but the overall impression was that Susic, who has since quit, was found tactically wanting at this level.
Match report: Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-2 Argentina
Match report: Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-1 Nigeria
Match report: Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Iran
23) Portugal ▼3
No Cristiano, no party. That was pretty much how it went for the Portuguese, whose talisman – suffering from a knee injury – was able only to flicker intermittently. He did provide an exceptional last-minute assist against USA and a winner against Ghana, but an unremarkable side needed more, especially after Pepe’s stupid red card in a chastening defeat to Germany and Fábio Coentrão’s injury during the same game. Yet despite being outplayed by the Germans and, at times, the Americans, Ronaldo and Portugal actually weren’t far off. They finished three goals shy of qualification and, in a basketball-like second half against Ghana, should have scored them – a fired-up Ronaldo uncharacteristically missing a hat full. As it is, we seem likely never to see the best of him at a World Cup.
Match report: Portugal 0-4 Germany
Match report: Portugal 2-2 USA
Match report: Portugal 2-1 Ghana
24) England ▲5
A colossal letdown or a meeting of low expectations? Perhaps somewhere between. There was little hand-wringing after an entertaining defeat to Italy in which promises of a youthful, attacking approach held true. It seemed plausible that Roy Hodgson’s team would come away with what it needed against Uruguay and the group’s surprise package, Costa Rica, but a loose performance against the former was punished by a half-fit Luis Suárez. A goalless draw with the Costa Ricans, who had sealed England’s fate by stunning Italy, was merely a footnote. England return amid a predictable cloud of admonition but having shown evidence enough that Hodgson and his employers should keep faith in their new model.
Match report: England 1-2 Italy
Match report: England 1-2 Uruguay
Match report: England 0-0 Costa Rica
25) Australia ▲3
If this was indeed a dress rehearsal for next year’s Asian Cup, then Australia know their lines fairly well. Three defeats did not tell the full story of their endeavours in Brazil: despite being overrun by Chile early on, Ange Postecoglou’s young side almost fought back to draw – and they might even have done better than that against Holland five days later. They went 2-1 up in that game, only to concede two goals that both directly followed glorious counterattacking opportunities to score again. Defeat against Spain did little to quell the sense of progress: while the veteran Tim Cahill took the headlines with his astonishing volley against the Dutch, the young wide pair Tommy Oar and Mathew Leckie were among those to suggest that Australia’s football outlook may look more positive than ever.
Match report: Australia 1-3 Chile
Match report: Australia 2-3 Holland
Match report: Australia 0-3 Spain
26) Russia ▼3
Few will mourn the passing of Fabio Capello’s side, who conjured up barely a single moment of ingenuity in their three games. As expected, Russia were organised enough; they did, too, badly miss the initiative of the midfielder Roman Shirokov. But a stodgy 1-1 draw with South Korea set the tone, both stylistically and in the manner of their concession. That goal arrived when the usually reliable Igor Akinfeev flapped Lee Keun-ho’s shot over the line; it would be Akinfeev, two matches later, who lost the flight of Abdelmoumene Djabou’s free-kick and allowed Islam Slimani to head the goal that sent Algeria through in their stead, which Capello blamed on the laser pen being shone at the keeper. Russia could do with establishing some kind of style before inviting the world to their party in 2018.
Match report: Russia 1-1 South Korea
Match report: Russia 0-1 Belgium
Match report: Russia 1-1 Algeria
27) South Korea ▼3
“It was my shortcomings as a coach that caused this result,” said Hong Myung-bo after his side lost to 10-man Belgium. At half-time in that game, a two-goal victory against Marc Wilmots’ depleted side would have been good to send South Korea through, but in truth theirs was an anonymous performance in Brazil. It might have been a different story if they had held on to their fortunately gained lead over the Russians, but when Algeria blitzed them during the first half in Porto Alegre the game was all but up. South Korea showed neither the intensity nor the quality of previous sides, although Son Heung-min, the Bayer Leverkusen winger, lived up to his billing as one of Asia’s most promising talents.
Match report: South Korea 1-1 Russia
Match report: South Korea 2-4 Algeria
Match report: South Korea 0-1 Belgium
28) Japan ▼2
Japan’s high point came in the 16th minute of their opening game, when Keisuke Honda finished emphatically against Ivory Coast. What followed from a supposedly progressive side was hugely disappointing; Alberto Zaccheroni’s erstwhile charges seemed stuck in the same gear throughout their three games and, an excellent Shinji Okazaki header against Colombia aside, there was little thrust to cap their midfield probings. The 4-1 defeat to the Colombians was perhaps coloured by Japan’s desperate need to pour forward, but the damage was done when they laboured against 10 men for more than 45 minutes of a turgid encounter with Greece, Yoshito Okubo’s horror miss the defining tableau of their disappointment.
Match report: Japan 1-2 Ivory Coast
Match report: Japan 0-0 Greece
Match report: Japan 1-4 Colombia
29) Iran ▼7
Lionel Messi’s injury-time winner in Belo Horizonte appeared to crush Iran, who had stood up to the Argentinians in their second game and, particularly through the striker Reza Ghoochannejhad, had chances to win it themselves. A good victory over an already-eliminated Bosnia could still have sent them through, but Carlos Queiroz’s team never seemed confident in approaching the task – and certainly had troubled adapting to an uncharacteristically proactive mien after falling behind. Perhaps their effort against Argentina, one of the finest defensive performances at this World Cup, had sapped them. Either way, Queiroz won’t be around to improve it – “You can’t have a marriage when only one side wants to commit,” he said after talks regarding a new contract failed to materialise.
Match report: Iran 0-0 Nigeria
Match report: Iran 0-1 Argentina
Match report: Iran 1-3 Bosnia-Herzegovina
30) Honduras ▲1
There was little surprise in seeing Luis Fernando Suárez head home early after some costly episodes of indiscipline. The Honduras coach, that is: his side entered the tournament with a “bad boy” billing that they seemed determined to justify as they roughed France up early on, Wilson Palacios’s first-half red card rivalling Pepe’s as the tournament’s most predictable. They kept it cleaner against Ecuador and even took the lead, but their defence never seemed solid and Enner Valencia’s goals meant Switzerland would have to be beaten comfortably in Manaus. That was never on the cards, although they should have scored at least a couple; eventually, Honduras simply lacked quality and Suárez’s parting admission that “I want to do something else” said enough.
Match report: Honduras 0-3 France
Match report: Honduras 1-2 Ecuador
Match report: Honduras 0-3 Switzerland
31) Ghana ▼10
If Cameroon’s dismal antics fuelled the fire for those who nay-say African football’s progress, Ghana were depressingly swift to provide the ignition. They had a chance of qualifying from Group G after an exciting draw with Germany but a row over bonuses and a training ground spat more worthy of the playground resulted in the coach, Kwesi Appiah, sending Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng home the day before the game. He admitted that the disputes had caused him sleepless nights. The die was cast and, although they briefly looked like getting the win they needed against Portugal, their tournament ended miserably. It was a shame for a side that had genuine flair in André Ayew and Christian Atsu, but Ghana’s problems clearly run far beyond the pitch.
Match report: Ghana 2-2 Germany
Match report: Ghana 1-2 Portugal
32) Cameroon ▶
If a World Cup ever becomes wearing, a spot of Cameroon bingo tends to pass the time. They had the full house this time out: a pre-tournament bonus dispute; a disjointed opening game with attacking moves foundering around a glowering Samuel Eto’o; and, most glaringly, a horror show of a performance against Croatia – in which Alex Song was dismissed for a grimly predictable piece of petulance before the Croats, who later watched incredulously as Benoît Assou-Ekotto launched into team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo. A despairing manager, Volker Finke, called his team “disgraceful”: they most certainly were and, although they gave Brazil a run for their money in the first half of their final game, the Indomitable Lions departed with little pride.
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