World Cup Team Of The Tournament

The glue that held Scolari's samba slackers together; a Central American octopus and a balding, yet high-flying Dutchman. They're all in my World Cup team of the tournament. 

Goalkeeper: Keylor Navas

Appearances: 5
Clean sheets: 3
Average saves per game: 4.20

Manuel Neuer may be the obvious choice, but Levante's 6ft stopper turned minnows into monsters as Costa Rica savaged Group D's heavyweights. Navas produced a montage of memorable saves to help Los Ticos into the quarter finals. Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich and FC Porto are all reportedly interested in the 27-year-old.

Right Back: Philipp Lahm

Appearances: 7
Average defensive actions: 6
Average pass accuracy: 91%

Deservedly lifted the trophy on his third attempt. May have been employed in the centre of midfield on occasions, but the German skipper is still undoubtedly the best full-back in world football. Led Die Mannschaft with the grace, composure and reliability that has made him one of the best of his generation. 

Right Centre-Back: Mats Hummels

Appearances: 6
Average defensive actions: 8
Average pass accuracy: 87%

A towering rock in the heart of a petite German back-line. Scored two goals and provided Joachim Löw's men with a rigid base on which to flaunt their attacking abilities. 

Left Centre-Back: Thiago Silva

Appearances: 6
Average defensive actions: 11
Average pass accuracy: 87%

Brazil whimpered in his absence and his leadership ensured an average Seleção progressed from the group stages. Rarely puts a foot wrong and was more important to Scolari's team than 'boy wonder' Neymar. 

Left Back: Daley Blind

Appearances: 7
Average defensive actions: 4
Average pass accuracy: 87%

Assisted Robin van Persie's famous diving header with an inch-perfect cross, but the Ajax man also defended commendably for a Dutch side that definitely overachieved. 

Right Centre-Midfield: Javier Mascherano

Appearances: 7
Average pass accuracy: 89%
Goals: 0
Assists: 0

Provided grit, determination and poise in his favoured position and ensured Alejandro Sabella's side reached the final hurdle of the tournament. Unfortunate to be on the losing side in the final.

Left Centre-Midfield: Toni Kroos

Appearances: 7
Average pass accuracy: 90%
Goals: 2
Assists: 3

Characterised Germany's play with elegance in the centre of midfield. Created fourteen chances, scored two goals and assisted three. Brilliant, so why has Guardiola allowed him to leave for Madrid?

Right Attacking-Midfield: James Rodríguez

Appearances: 5
Average pass accuracy: 76%
Goals: 6
Assists: 2

Eclipsed Neymar as the poster boy of South American football with five flavoursome performances for Colombia. Picked up the Golden Boot and stunned the Maracanã into silence with an extraordinary volley against Uruguay in a tournament to remember.

Attacking Centre-Midfield: Lionel Messi

Appearances: 7
Average pass accuracy: 80%
Goals: 4
Assists: 1

Along with Mascherano, Messi dragged a lethargic Argentina side into the final and shone among Sabella's misfiring forwards. Controversially awarded the Golden Ball award, but the world's best player will have to wait four more years to get his hands on the trophy he really craves.

Left Attacking-Midfield: Arjen Robben

Appearances: 7
Average pass accuracy: 86%
Goals: 3
Assists: 1

Picked up the man of the match award in almost every game he played. May have been guilty of one or two dives, but his blistering pace was always going to attract late tackles.

Centre-Forward: Thomas Müller

Appearances: 7
Average pass accuracy: 75%
Goals: 5
Assists: 3

Hard to pinpoint the 24-year-old's position, but wherever he's employed, he delivers the goods. With the Champions League, the Bundesliga and now the World Cup under his belt, Müller is certain to go down as one of the greatest players to have worn the German shirt.

Honourable mentions

Manuel Neuer

Ron Vlaar

Juan Cuadrado

Ezequiel Garay

Arturo Vidal

Alexis Sanchez

Paul Pogba

Neymar