FIFA 2014 World Cup's Top 6 Best Goalkeeper So Far

6: Guillermo Ochoa – 8.74 points. Click the arrows to reveal the rest of the 2014 World Cup's best goalkeepers
Most observers are already calling the 2014 World Cup one of the greatest in recent memory, and one of the big surprises of the tournament has been the number of outstanding displays from goalkeepers. FIFA’s official

FIFA 2014 World Cup's Top 6 Best Midfielders So Far

6: Mathieu Valbuena – 9.28 points.
The 2014 World Cup has featured some brilliant goals, but before the ball can find the back of the net there has to be an equally important pass to set it up. Midfielders deserve to be recognised for their good work in Brazil therefore, and FIFA’s ranking of the best at the tournament is one way of doing so. France playmaker Mathieu Valbuena, whose ability to play a great final ball has often been the difference for Les Bleus, ranks sixth with 9.28 points. Click the arrows for the rest of the 2014 World Cup’s best midfielders so far, according to FIFA…

5: Xherdan Shaqiri – 9.36 points
Including Xherdan Shaqiri among the midfielders is surprising considering goal-scoring is the Swiss attacker’s game, as exemplified by his hat trick against Honduras. In any case, the Liverpool target manages to place fifth, with 9.36 points

 

4: Phillipp Lahm – 9.41 points
Phillipp Lahm’s conversion from defender to midfielder by Pep Guardiola has carried over to the World Cup, with the German playing every game in that position and only briefly switching to right back against Algeria. He places fourth with 9.41 points

 

3: Angel di Maria – 9.43 points
Lionel Messi aside, Angel di Maria has been Argentina’s best player at the World Cup so far, and his efforts were rewarded with a late winner in extra time against Switzerland earlier this week. The Real Madrid man is being linked with Chelsea, Arsenal and both Manchester clubs, and has chalked up 9.43 points in the FIFA World Cup ranking to date

 

2: Ivan Perisic – 9.53 points
Croatia may have crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage with only one win to their name, but the FIFA rankings rate Ivan Perisic as the second-best midfielder at the tournament so far, with 9.53 points

 
1: James Rodriguez – 9.74 points
James Rodriguez has been one of the best players at the World Cup, scoring spectacular goals and producing jaw-dropping pieces of skill for Colombia. It’s no surprise to see the Monaco man top the midfield ranking with 9.74 points, therefore

Topless On The Copacabana! Stopping Fans Wearing The Wrong Kit [See Video]

The World Cup in Brazil is a riot of colour and cultures.

But one thing we have noticed is that so many fans appear to be wearing shirts of countries other than their own.

Musical Starts To Thrill Audience At Fifa World Up Finals

The Final Match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ will be preceded by a spectacular musical show, with the superstar line-up of artists for the Closing Ceremony now announced. Taking centre stage at 14:20 on 13 July in the Maracana, Santana, Wyclef and Alexandre Pires will perform Dar Um Jeito, the Official Anthem of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, while Shakira will make her third consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup, performing La la la (Brazil 2014) alongside Carlinhos Brown. Brazilian superstar Ivete Sangalo will bring a distinctive local flavour to the show, performing a medley of well-known Brazilian songs, joined in part by Alexandre Pires.

I Was Walking On Water In '58 - Just Fontaine

The race for the adidas Golden Boot is hotting up at Brazil 2014, with James Rodriguez leading the way on five goals ahead of closest rivals Thomas Muller, Lionel Messi and Neymar. It would take a brave fan to predict who will fire their way to glory, but one thing is certain – or almost certain: Just Fontaine will not be relinquishing the adidas Platinum Boot he received on 11 June for his incredible 13 strikes at Sweden 1958.

To collect the honour, first promised by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter several years ago, Justo travelled to Sao Paolo with his old friend Dominique Colonna, France's third-choice goalkeeper during their run to the semi-finals in 1958. "I also made him come to Nice and Reims," Fontaine told FIFA.com, recalling the clubs where the two men spent time as team-mates. "We're like an old married couple!"

Striker Shoot-Out As Quater Final Begins

One of the finest generations of goalscorers ever assembled is poised for a climactic shoot-out for the greatest prize in football as the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals get under way on Friday.

Karim Benzema's France play Thomas Muller's Germany and Neymar's Brazil take on Colombia, with World Cup revelation James Rodriguez, in the opening clashes of football's remaining titans.

The 56 matches so far have been packed with drama. The 154 goals at an average of 2.75 goals per game, puts Brazil 2014 firmly on course to beat the 171-goal record of France 1998.

David Luiz Leads Defenders' Fightback

Neymar may be the poster boy of this Brazilian World Cup but the reasons for the hosts’ presence in Friday’s quarter-final against Colombia can be found further back in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s lineup – and the latest Castrol Index ranking reflects this.

It was Tostao, the 1970 World Cup winner-turned-journalist, who wrote in his daily column after the tense penalty shoot-out triumph over Chile that “the stand-outs for Brazil were Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Julio Cesar” and Scolari’s two centre-halves both feature in the top ten along with Neymar.

World Cup Favorites Stumble On

THE DAY REPLAYED - The Round of 16 has concluded without a single upset, and with Argentina and Belgium having ensured that all eight group winners advanced. Yet while the list of quarter-finalists might adhere to expectations, the manner in which they secured their spots has been anything but straightforward.

Indeed, of all the teams through, only Colombia can claim to have been truly convincing, with the others more relieved than overjoyed. Argentina certainly continued that trend today, toiling against Switzerland until Lionel Messi laid on a 118th-minute winner for Angel Di Maria. And extra time was also required to settle a thrilling match between Begium and USA that somehow made it to 90 minutes without either team having scored. And while the Americans, and Tim Howard in particular, were heroic in defeat, Les Diables Rouges hung on to a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

We Are On The Mission: Robben

“I wouldn’t swap Robben for any player in the world. He's having an amazing World Cup."

As tributes go, Dirk Kuyt's ranks among the most glowing of Brazil 2014. And while fans of Messi, Neymar or Ronaldo may quibble with the Dutch veteran's opening statement, his latter is inarguable.

By any reckoning, Robben has been one of the outstanding players of this FIFA World Cup™. Any adjective short of 'amazing' would sell short performances that, throughout, have inspired and propelled the Netherlands.

KESHI: Nigeria Can Still Improve

Despite advancing to the round of 16 at the World Cup, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi was not completely pleased with his team's performance in a 3-2 defeat to Nigeria on Wednesday.

Argentina struck twice through Lionel Messi in the first half, and though Nigeria responded with quick equalisers after both goals, Keshi said the Super Eagles deferred too much to one of the teams favoured to win the tournament.