FIFA World Cup Report- The Best and the Worst so far.

One of the best World Cups in recent memory has now progressed to the knockout stages. Here's the lowdown on the best, and the worst so far.

Best Team: The Netherlands.

A young, inexperienced Dutch team came into the Cup with their place in the last 16 threatened by Spain and Chile, but Louis van Gaal's side started the tournament with a bang- decimating a surprisingly lackluster Spain side. Despite stuttering slightly against Australia's Socceroos, they have played brilliant attacking football and have been an absolute joy to watch. Another convincing win would see them as absolute favourites to reach a second semi final in a row.

Worst Team: Cameroon 

The Indomitable Lions seemed anything but, capping a disappointing World Cup for Africa. Internal disputes turned into altercations between players on the pitch itself, while main players like Samuel Eto'o and Alex Song underwhelmed, the latter especially so. While they were plain boring against Mexico, the performance against Croatia was utterly woeful, with Alex Song being sent off for an utterly brainless elbow to the back of Mario Mandzukic and Benoit Assou-Ekotto attacking his own teammate, Benjamin Moukandjo. An absolute disgrace.

Most Promising Player: Divock Origi 

Origi has been sensational for a Belgian side that have laboured for their three wins, despite boasting a vast array of attacking options. The previously unheard- of teen from Lille was impressive against the dogged Algerians and scored late to win it against Russia. He may not feature much in the coming rounds but  he has had Europe's biggest clubs (and Spurs) sitting up and taking notice.

Most likely to win the Golden Ball: Lionel Messi (Again)

Yes, him again. Lionel Messi single handedly carried Argentina into the knockout stages with stunning goals in every match. While his team have appeared disjointed and have been largely underwhelming, The Little Flea has been at his best. A disastrous campaign for Cristiano Ronaldo means that he may still be in contention for the Ballon D' Or provided The Albiceleste fulfill their potential.

Most disappointing player: Luis Suarez, beyond a shred of doubt.

While he remains a brilliant player, Luis Suarez's cannibalistic tendencies are threatening to overshadow his prolific scoring. After a great season, which saw him break records for a resurgent Liverpool, his bite on Giorgio Chiellini has ruined his season and will ensure that his name remains infamous in World Cup folklore for years to come. What a shame.


While Brazil still remain favourites, sides like Costa Rica and Algeria have made history and deserve recognition for their achievements. It promises to be a humdinger of a World Cup, let's hope it doesn't disappoint.

It might take more than a season for Van Gaal to undo last season's debacle at Manchester United.

It wasn't just the Dutch who rejoiced at the end of Holland's 5-1 trouncing of Spain. Louis van Gaal's Oranje side enthralled millions of Man United fans who watched in awe as a fit, confident Robin van Persie robbed Iker Casillas of the ball and casually sent it into the back of the net. The top scorer in their Premier League winning season was back to his lethal best, as if unaffected by his club's disastrous form this season. In the dugout, van Gaal celebrated, rising from his bar stool seat, celebrating- a sight many United fans will hope to see more often in the upcoming season. A sense of optimism, absent since the arrival of Juan Mata, filled Old Trafford.But it's a long road back into the Champion's League. Manchester City, United's noisy neighbours and successors to the Premier League crown were absolutely unplayable at times, decimating Arsenal and United among a host of others. 

As were Liverpool  and Chelsea, the latter seeming like potential Champions League contenders with the signing of Cesc Fabregas and the impending arrival of Brazil's favourite son, Diego Costa; while the Merseysiders, looking to mount a Champions League challenge, have been excellent in the transfer market so far- bolstering midfield and adding depth to their already formidable attack by signing the exciting Emre Can and the experienced Rickie Lambert. Adam Lallana and Alberto Moreno have also been continually linked with the Reds.

Arsenal endured an equally bad second half to the season- butchered by Liverpool, Chelsea and City, but the return of key players like Theo Walcott and the signing of a top centre forward like Mario Balotelli will bolster hopes of a season like the one they had until January at the Emirates.

Despite being linked with dozens of players including the entire Dutch national team over the summer, United have still not made a signing, with the finger of blame being pointed right at their bumbling Chief Executive, Ed Woodward. United desperately need at least two quality centre halves, a left back capable of taking over from Patrice Evra, at least one more winger and crucially, a top central midfield player.

However, new signings, no matter how good they may be individually, will not ensure success. Just look at how Tottenham Hotspur imploded last season. Van Gaal will face a monumental task to bring them together as a cohesive unit. 

The expectations from van Gaal are clear- anything less than a Champions League spot will be deemed catastrophic, and while he has proven himself to be a formidable leader, it could take more than a season to resurrect the fallen Red Devils.

Spain v Holland: Robin, Robben and co take apart tiki taka

Yesterday in Salvador, at the end of 90 minutes of excellence by his team, Louis van Gaal, the man known for  his strict no nonsense style of management, greeted the final whistle with a broad boyish smile of pure, unadulterated joy. Vicente Del Bosque and his Spanish teams cut a sorry figure- stunned speechless at what they had just witnessed. La Roja's first defeat by 5 goals or more since 1950. Spain had conceded more goals in a single match than they had in all of the matches 4 years ago in South Africa, against the very side that they had conquered to win the ultimate prize in football. The absolute dominance of Spanish football and tiki taka obliterated.

One man, who has in his career experienced the pain of losing two Champion's League finals and a World Cup final was the one all smiles this time round. Arjen Robben was at his destructive best, ending the match with two brilliantly taken goals; arguably one of the best performances of his career. Robin van Persie, his partner in crime was equally good, scoring two goals of incredible importance, the first of which will live in World Cup folklore for years to come and has made sure that van Persie is going to spend the rest of his career being called the Flying Dutchman. 

His second goal, however, will live in memory not for the way it was scored, but the blunder which led to it. It might be remembered in the future as the moment Iker Casillas , the hero of so many big matches in his career, fell from grace.

10 seconds summed up his match. Arjen Robben charging towards the Spanish goal, outrunning the defenders, then sending Casillas the wrong way twice. San Iker scampered on all fours, his face a mask of misery, as Robben sent the ball flying past Sergio Ramos and Pique into the top corner. Spain's hero for a decade had fallen.

Their run at the top has been an extraordinary one, and with players of such quality you'd be justified to expect the best from them, but the Dutch defended with utmost focus to thwart Iniesta, Costa and company. Ron Vlaar had an excellent game at the centre of a three man defence. Bruno Martins Indi and Stephan De Vrij too were solid, the latter scoring the third of five goals from the far post with a slightly scrappy effort. 

Daley Blind played a, erm, blinder in his left wing back position with two assists. A performance that will definitely have bigger clubs interested.

Spain were their usual self up until van Persie's header, controlling possession but were lucky to score in the second controversial penalty decision this World Cup, but Diego Costa had an extremely disappointing debut and was rightly subbed after an hour for an equally unimpressive Fernando Torres. Iniesta attempted a couple of shots from far out but never looked like scoring either time.

For the defence, it was a shocker. On paper, a side which boasts of two world class centre backs in Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique with promising wide defenders like Azpilicueta and Jordi Alba is a force to reckon with, but neither of the back four could cope with Robben's trickery and pace.

This result leaves Spain in a precarious position. A lot will depend on their clash with Chile. Another loss or a draw could leave their chances of qualifying for the last 16 in serious jeopardy. 

Sides will underestimate La Roja at their own peril, however. This here is a side loaded with world-class talent, especially in midfield and has players who boast a wealth of experience. They were pummelled in Salvador, but they will return, intent on restoring their pride.

Brazil v Croatia: Good win, but sterner tests await the hosts.

Oh how Marcelo must be thanking his lucky stars that Croatia didn't play the entire game the way they started it. An entire nation watched in stunned silence as Jelavic's scuffed shot went off the unfortunate Real man into the goal. Marcelo's reaction said it all. A loss on the opening day, due to an  own goal no less, would be unforgivable. Thankfully for every Brazilian in the stadium, especially Marcelo, it wasn't one of those days. A fine left footed effort by Neymar restored parity before the Barcelona man scored a somewhat controversial penalty ,midway through the second half, giving Brazil the lead. A nation cheered, as the young man from Mogi looked heavenwards. 

Croatia certainly had their moments, with the brilliant pair of Ivan Rakitic, and Luka Modric running the game in the opening 15 minutes. Rakitic in particular was sublime, sending Olic through that eventually led to the opening goal. Mateo Kovacic too offered glimpses of class, while veteran striker Olic consistently looked to exploit the gaps left in the right side of the Brazilian defence by the attack minded Dani Alves.

But in the end, the game belonged to the Selecao, with Oscar capping off an impressive display with a goal in injury time. With him, Neymar, Hulk and Fred all in good touch, Brazil can be absolutely terrifying going forward. 

The defence, however,  underwhelmed. Both David Luiz and captain Thiago Silva had a decent game, although the former was guilty of losing Jelavic in the build up to the own goal. Marcelo played the game with renewed vigour post his unfortunate mishap, sprinting up and down the left, but it was Dani Alves who left the most to be desired. Bombing ahead as always, his runs down the wing left space for Olic, which led to the first goal. A natural winger would've caused a whole lot more problems than the veteran out wide. Leaving so much space against a side like Germany or even Holland, whom they may face in the last 16, could cost them heavily.

Felipao Scolari's men have started the tournament positively, but sterner tests will tell if the hosts are truly the contenders they're being billed to be. The world will be watching.