Ochoa, Musa and Valencia amongst the World Cup surprise stars

James Rodriguez has burst on to the scene and fantasy managers who foresaw this are very happy people

We all knew going into this tournament that Neymar and Messi were setup to be pretty special but like every World Cup - other names have emerged as potential stars. Alex Johnson looks into the names who have thrust themselves into the limelight.

After two weeks of scintillating football, the World Cup group stage has come to an end and we now know the line-ups for the last 16.

It will come as no surprise to see Lionel Messi and Neymar taking most of the positive headlines in Brazil as they sit atop the goalscoring charts with four along with Germany's Thomas Muller.

However, throughout the group stage there have been some fantastic performances from those players who don't generate the same level of column inches. Some came into the tournament without huge reputations, while others exceeded expectations, but either way the following five players have lit up the group stage and become heroes to their countries.

Guillermo Ochoa

It is probably not often that a goalkeeper is a stand-out performer in the World Cup group stage, but Ochoa has been in scintillating form in Brazil. The 28-year-old conceded just one goal in the three group matches and almost single-handedly kept out the hosts as Mexico secured second place in the group.

It was a Brazil that scored seven goals combined against Croatia and Cameroon but could not beat Ochoa as he made a number of outstanding saves to pull off what has been probably the best individual display seen at this year's World Cup. Indeed, when Ochoa pulled off a diving save to keep out a Neymar header it had fans in Brazil comparing it to Gordon Banks' legendary save to stop a Pele header in the 1970 World Cup.

In total he made six saves in the game as Brazil golden boy Neymar was left ruing the sight of the headband-wearing Mexico number one. Ochoa is now a free agent after he left French league side Ajaccio and is going to have no shortage of offers after the tournament ends.

Ahmed Musa

The Nigeria forward has enjoyed a breakthrough fortnight at the 2014 World Cup. The 21-year-old plies his trade in Russia for CSKA Moscow but a move to a bigger European club could be on the horizon.

Musa has excelled as the standout man for Nigeria as they qualified for the knockout stages. He has played 40 times already for Nigeria despite his tender age, and it was Musa's heroics in the narrow defeat to Argentina in the Super Eagles' final game in the group that really catapulted him to worldwide attention.

His excellent brace against one of the pre-tournament favourites showed his potential, firstly beating Pablo Zabaleta and curling a fantastic strike into the bottom corner before calmly slotting home for his second. It is his pace and power that have stood out and caused defenders a hatful of problems.

Musa's stock has massively risen with his performances in the group stage and if he continues this rich vein of form then the list of clubs sniffing around him is only going to rise.

Enner Valencia

Enner Valencia may not have been a name that stood out to football fans before a ball was kicked, but his performances in the group stage have ensured he is now known around the globe. The 25-year-old is only a recent convert to the striking positions, having been a right-sided wing back or midfielder up until the start of last season.

Valencia got 18 league goals in only 22 starts for his Mexican club side Pachuca last season and has tormented Group E defenders in Brazil to score all of Ecuador's three goals in the World Cup. Valencia is lightning quick, athletic and showed he has an unbelievable leaping prowess for someone who stands 5'9" tall - showcasing to the world how he can cause defenders problems on the ground and in the air.

He has filled the goalscoring void for Ecuador left by the tragic death last year of Christian Benitez and is now reportedly a target for top clubs in the Premier League and La Liga. Many now expect Valencia to depart the Mexican league for pastures new in Europe after this tournament, and he will have many potential suitors to choose from.

Joel Campbell

Costa Rica have been the surprise performers of the World Cup as they beat Uruguay and Italy on their way to winning Group D. And their star performer Joel Campbell has set tongues wagging in Brazil ever since he scored one and set up another as Costa Rica shocked Uruguay in their opening game.

The 22-year-old's pace and power tormented not only the South Americans but also Italy and England, and Campbell has shown explosive finishing on top of his athletic ability. Campbell is an Arsenal player but has spent time on loan around Europe at Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiakos over the last three seasons.

However, he seems set to be part of the Gunners first-team plans for the upcoming season now that his work permit issues have been resolved. He may be a raw talent but is a game-changer and his career may have just hit an upward trajectory after impressing this World Cup.

James Rodriguez

When Radamel Falcao was ruled out of the World Cup due to injury there was probably many in Colombia who thought any chance of success had gone with him. However, they topped Group C to progress and Rodriguez has been the key man in Colombia's 100% start in the tournament.

The 22-year-old has had an outstanding group stage and ranks alongside Lionel Messi as one of only two players to have scored in all three games. And what a World Cup he has had so far, he scored one and made two against Greece, scored one and made one against the Ivory Coast and scored one - a fantastic strike as he danced past a defender and chipped the ball home - as well as making the other two against Japan.

The Monaco man has been a standout player in Brazil, with his performances showing why he became one of the most expensive players in world football when the French moneybags spent 38.5 million to sign him from Porto last summer.