Team of the tournament

FERNANDO MUSLERA

Uruguay

He might have conceded three goals against Holland, but Muslera has been the stand-out shotstopper during a difficult tournament for goalkeepers.

He helped a strong Uruguayan defence go through the group stage without conceding a goal, making excellent saves against France and Mexico.

The Lazio keeper was also the hero of the penalty shoot-out victory over Ghana, saving spot-kicks from John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah.

SERGIO RAMOS

Spain

It has been a particularly strong tournament for right-backs, with Brazil’s Maicon and Germany’s Philipp Lahm catching the eye.

But for the perfect embodiment of the modern-day full-back’s art, look no further than Ramos of Spain.

Calm, assured and committed, the Real Madrid defender comes into his own when he rampages forward. Spain’s narrow midfield affords him room on the overlap, and he has exploited it at every opportunity, often as an auxiliary attacker when in possession.

JORIS MATHIJSEN

Holland

At the start of the tournament, Holland’s defence was flagged up as a major potential weakness. Six games on, however, and all fears have been allayed.

As a unit, the Dutch have defended as well as anyone in the tournament, and Mathijsen’s imposing presence has been a key feature.

The Hamburg centre-half is strong in the air and positionally impressive, and it is no coincidence that Holland’s only rocky period of the tournament – in the first half against Brazil – came when he was suspended.

CARLES PUYOL

Spain

Plenty is written about Spain’s strengths in attack, but rather less attention is given to their defensive qualities and achievements.

Yet Sunday’s finalists have conceded just two goals in six matches, and the evergreen Puyol has been the rock at the heart of their back four.

He was excellent in Spain’s second-round win over Portugal, and impressed again on Wednesday, shutting down a previously rampant German attack and heading home the all-important winning goal.

HANS SARPEI

Ghana

Spain’s Joan Capdevila has answered the critics who claimed he was one of his side’s few potential weaknesses, but the best leftback in South Africa exited the World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Sarpei was a revelation for the Black Stars, combining ferocious tackles and blocks with a series of energetic surges down the wing.

The Bayer Leverkusen defender was particularly effective during the group stage, as Ghana conceded just two goals to edge out Serbia and Australia in Group D.

MEZUT OZIL

Germany

One of the finds of the tournament, Ozil set the World Cup alight during the opening two weeks. His movement and vision were sensational as Germany thrashed Australia, and his eye for a goal was underlined by the long-range winner against Ghana.

The Werder Bremen midfielder is at the vanguard of a young generation of players that should dominate the German national side for years to come, and will leave South Africa as one of the most prized playmakers in the European game.

ANDRES INIESTA

Spain

What can you say about Iniesta that hasn’t been said before? Very little, apart from more praise at his ability to produce the peak of his form when his side needs it most.

Surely the best passer of a ball in world football, Iniesta’s ability to retain possession and keep his side moving forward is at the heart of Spain’s intricate attacking play.

Crucially, his standards never seem to slip, and whatever the intensity of the occasion, the Barcelona star can be relied upon to remain composed, patient and effective.

WESLEY SNEIJDER

Holland

Coming off the back of a sensational season with Inter Milan, Sneijder has carried his fine form into the World Cup finals to emerge as one of the tournament’s key players.

His five goals have been integral to Holland’s progress, while his delivery from set-pieces has also been a key feature.

His drive and energy puts opposition defenders on the back foot, while his aerial prowess, as underlined by his headed winner against Brazil, is a part of his game that is regularly undervalued.

THOMAS MUELLER

Germany

Prior to the World Cup finals, few expected Mueller to make such an impact. The 20-yearold Bayern Munich midfielder had only won one cap prior to Germany’s opening warm-up game, but his four goals played a huge part in his side’s progress. He was the man of the match as he scored a quick-fire brace against England, and Germany looked a completely different attacking proposition when he was suspended against Spain.

MIROSLAV KLOSE

Germany

Another competition in which Klose has emerged seemingly from nowhere to confirm his status as one of the world’s leading strikers.

He hardly played for Bayern Munich in the second half of last season, yet in a Germany shirt his predatory skills remain as effective as ever. Performances against England and Argentina were fantastic, and he could still become the first player to retain the Golden Boot.

DAVID VILLA

Spain

The 28-year-old was the star of Spain’s European Championships success two years ago, and if ‘La Furia Roja’ complete the double on Sunday, Villa will have been the key to their success once again.

He has scored five goals in six matches despite starting a number of those games in a wide-left position, and has cemented his status as the most prolific attacker in the world game.

SUBSTITUTES

Manuel Neuer (Germany)

Maicon (Brazil)

Antolin Alcaraz (Paraguay)

Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)

Keisuke Honda (Japan)

Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)

Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina)

And the worst team of the tournament

GOALKEEPER

ROBERT GREEN (England)

Dropped the clanger to end all clangers against the United States and was promptly axed for the rest of his side’s campaign.

DEFENDERS

NICOLAS OTAMENDI (Argentina)

Replaced Jonas Gutierrez and was utterly outclassed as Germany ran riot in the last eight.

FABIO CANNAVARO (Italy)

Was the player of the tournament four years ago, but looked battered and bedraggled after Slovakia scored three to knock Italy out.

RI JUN-IL (North Korea)

The defender was the worst culprit as North Korea went into meltdown and conceded six goals in 45 minutes against Portugal.

PATRICE EVRA (France)

Was at the heart of the French squad’s implosion and sparked the bust-up that led to a players’ strike.

MIDFIELD

KAKA (Brazil)

Failed to make any kind of an impression on the tournament and was anonymous as Brazil limped out against Holland.

GARETH BARRY (England)

Was supposed to solidify the English midfield, but was absent without leave as Germany scored four.

FRANCK RIBERY (France)

Regularly touted as one of the leading midfielders in Europe, but always seems to go missing on the big stage.

FORWARDS

WAYNE ROONEY (England)

Performed abjectly in all four matches and failed to come close to justifying his star billing.

AIYEGBENI YAKUBU (Nigeria)

Produced the miss of the tournament from four yards out when a goal might have taken Nigeria through.

NICOLAS ANELKA (France)

Lived up to his ‘Le sulk’ nickname and was sent home in disgrace after clashing with his boss.