Copa, Copacabana

In contrast to South Africa, the first round of games in Brazil have been fantastic. Most matches have been full of goals, action and controversy. 

Best Goalie: Tim Howard - He looked ever composed at the base of a very professional American defence, catching every ball he went up for whilst making a couple of good saves too. This award could have gone to a number of goalkeepers as no one player has really stood out.

Best Defender: Ricardo Rodriguez - The Swiss left-back played an almost perfect game against an Ecuador team that seemed to have no clue how to stop him. He provided both assists including one in the last minute for the winning goal but he also defended extremely competently. Other full backs like Serge Aurier, Daley Blind and Juan Zuniga.

Best Midfielder: Oscar - No player performed better over the past eight games than the Brazilian maestro. His ability to control play with both his dribbling and passing abilities were telling and the Croat defence just couldn't handle him. He would have won this award without scoring a goal in the final minutes of the game but that was just the icing on the cake.

Best Striker: Joel Campbell - The Costa Rican striker played out of his skin causing the Uruguayans all kinds of trouble. His dribbling was electric whilst his shooting was good enough to get him a goal. The assist topped off his performance which could secure him a starting place in Arsenal's team next season. Arjen Robben was very close to getting this award.

Best Match: Uruguay 1 - 3 Costa Rica - I found it very difficult to pick the best game but I thought this game was the best as I wasn't expecting a second half comeback from Costa Rica. Joel Cambell showed excellent skills whilst Keylor Navas kept Uruguay out from all but the penalty spot.

Worst Match: Iran 0 - 0 Nigeria - Anyone who watched this game needs no explanation.

Surprise Player: Charles Aránguiz - The Chilean midfielder displayed his array of passing throughout the game, whether it's a short one-timer or a diagonal long ball he can do it all. I wouldn't be surprised to see him move to a European team, perhaps Fiorentina or Udinese.

Best Manager: Jorge Luis Pinto - The Colombian manager guided his Costa Rican team to a surprise victory over a Uruguay side which whilst I did not think they would do very well, I didn't think they would lose to Costa Rica. His five defenders looked solid and Uruguay were unable to create many chances from open play. They may be a little over reliant on Joel Campbell up front but the talented front man looks more than capable of shouldering that pressure.

Team of the 'Round':

-----------------------Howard----------------------

Aurier-----Márquez------Cameron------Rodriguez

Oscar----------Ki-----------Pjanic---------Griezmann
--------------Campbell-----Robben---------------

Subs: M'Bolhi, Zuniga, Hummels, Blind, Modric, Jones, Valbuena, Sanchez, Müller

Predictions:

Golden Boot: Karim Benzema - This was tough to predict at this point but I opted for Benzema due to France's relatively easy group. Others who are in the mix right now are Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Thomas Müller and Neymar.

Player of the Tournament: Arjen Robben - Looks determined to atone for his guilted miss in the last tournament's final. His position just behind Robin van Persie makes him impossible to mark for defenders whilst when the Dutch play in their usual formation he is allowed to play in his preferred position down the right wing where he can work to devastating effect.

Winners: Germany - Without a doubt they looked the best team in the opening matches. Even if they weren't playing well I still think that they could win it, it's in their blood and 24 years is too long for Germany not to win it. (I pretty much copy and pasted this from four years ago)

Surprise Team: Costa Rica - I do feel as if I'm repeating much about this Central American team but it wasn't just their result against Uruguay but their performance too that surprised me.

Overperformers: Netherlands - Scored a wonderful win against Spain by exploiting every weakness in the current World and European champions.

Underperformers: Spain - Vincente del Bosque has picked both his first team and his squad incorrectly. I think it will be tough for them to continue their phenomenal run in international tournaments. He has been very loyal which is admirable but it will cost both Spain and him their reputations.

Final Thoughts :)

Once again the referees have been very poor, especially those who are from competitions which aren't played to the same level such as those in Asia. 

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!