Diego Costa has had an awful World Cup for Spain
With the group stages now complete and a slight pause before the last 16 clashes commence, the B.B editors reflect on the tournament so far and pick out their best bets for the final phases...
Mike Norman
Most Impressive Team - Netherlands
Holland (as I like to call them) were incredibly impressive against Spain in their opening game of the tournament, smashing five past the reigning world champions thanks to some superb attacking play by the Usain Bolt-like Arjen Robben. They weren't quite as impressive in winning their next two games but they still scored five goals in total against Australia and a Chile side that had won their opening two games.
Despite Holland's brilliance I still sense that if you stop Robben (easier said than done) then you stop the Dutch, but there's no disputing that they've been excellent so far and easily one of the World Cup's most entertaining sides.
Netherlands are 9.617/2 to win the World Cup
Most Impressive Individual - James Rodriguez
Colombia came very close to appearing in the Most Impressive Team category but they've arguably had a much easier group than Holland and prior to Radamel Falcao's injury they were fancied to go further than the Dutch. Having said that, they've still been impressive in winning three out of three and scoring nine goals, and much of that has been down to the brilliant James Rodriguez.
The 22-year-old has lit up this World Cup, scoring in each of his three appearances and being name FIFA's official Man of the Match in two of those game. Though for me, it still remains a mystery why he wasn't voted MoM against Japan the other night. Coming off the bench for the second half Rodriguez was sensational, attacking and probing with sublime skill, assisting two of his side's second half goals, and scoring a tremendous individual effort.
Rodriguez can be backed at 4.84/1 in the Top Goalscorer - Top 4 market
Most Disappointing Team - Spain
Spain were awful, and I wouldn't be surprised one bit if it later emerges that there were splits in the camp because to me they looked disinterested and had very little fight in them. In fact during their victory over Australia earlier this week the commentator alluded to some Spanish players being unhappy with Diego Costa's efforts, while coach Vicente del Bosque had reportedly been in a heated training ground 'argument' with Cesc Fabregas.
But whatever the reasons Spain were very poor in their two games that mattered, completely capitulating in the second half against the Dutch before putting in a way below par performance against Chile. Not what we expected from the champions of the last three major tournaments.
Despite Spain's elimination UEFA are 2.245/4 in the Winning Confederation market
Most Disappointing Individual - Cristiano Ronaldo
Despite a good performance that included scoring the winner against Ghana when effectively all was lost, CR7 has been a big disappointment at this tournament. Arguably the world's best player Ronaldo is a shadow of himself when you combine the fact that he doesn't have world class players around him, and perhaps more importantly, when he isn't being the centre of attention. I might be being harsh here but I've never known a player who puts personal glory ahead of his team as much as Ronaldo does. You get the feeling that if Portugal were successful without Ronaldo being the star man then he wouldn't be happy.
Injured or not (and I've seen no evidence that he is injured) Ronaldo had a very poor two games against Germany and USA and his demeanour has not reflected positively on him. He won't be missed at this World Cup.
Best Bet(s) for the Knockout Stages
Back Mexico to reach Semi-Final @ 4.47/2
Back Germany to win World Cup @ 5.69/2
Mexico's defence, led by 35-year-old captain Rafael Marquez, has been brilliant so far, conceding just one goal (when they were comfortably ahead of Croatia) in three games. True, they had goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to thank for keeping Brazil at bay but Mexico qualified with ease and a path to the semi-final has opened up for them. Standing in their way next is the impressive Dutch side, but as I've already said if they can somehow stop Arjen Robben then I think they will have a chance of winning that last-16 game. Costa Rica or Greece would then await in the quarter-final so a chance is taken on Miguel Herrera's men making it to the last four.
I originally went for Brazil in this market, and while I think they will get better with each game (should they get past Chile) it still makes sense to get another team on my side. Germany were brilliant against Portugal, and while they weren't in the same form against Ghana, I actually feel they still have a gear or two to move up to when required. They have a very powerful squad, and when you can have strikers such as Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose, and midfielders Andre Schurrle and Bastian Schweinsteiger to come off the bench then you know you've got a chance.
Favourite Goal - Messi's free-kick against Nigeria
While the likes of Gonzalo Higuian and Sergio Aguero are yet to shine, one man most certainly has. And he needs no introduction. Lionel Messi struck a seemingly unstoppable free-kick just minutes before half time against Nigeria only to see goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama pull off an outstanding save. No prizes for guessing what happened next. Messi takes a free-kick just minutes later from almost exactly the same position, and he fires it into the same corner. Enyeama didn't even move this time, Messia had bluffed him as if to say how dare you deny me a stunning free-kick at a World Cup. Pick that one out!
Luke Moore
Most Impressive Team - Netherlands
I have to say the Netherlands have impressed me most so far, not least because I had next to no expectations for them going into the tournament. I thought they were strong going forward, but I expected them to be poor at the back and exit in the group stage at the hands of Chile. I'm now starting to think that their defensive players have been severely underrated because a lot of them play in the Eredivisie, a league that not many people (including me) have vast experience/knowledge of.
The only downside for Dutch fans is that there's a chance their team has peaked too early and are destined for yet another glorious failure, something the Oranje are now well known for, but at the moment it's a case of 'so far, so good'.
Most Impressive Individual - Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema should have double the three goals he has netted so far in this tournament. A missed penalty, a crazy goal-along-the-line that wasn't credited to him and a disallowed effort when the referee blew his whistle for full time at a silly juncture, literally as the Frenchman was pulling the trigger, means he should sit at the top of the Golden Boot standings with six.
That just about tells you all you need to know about the Real Madrid hitman so far this summer, and with Nigeria up next he has a very real chance of adding even more to his tally, especially if Mathieu Valbuena is returned to the ranks to load the bullets for him. Benzema is now 8.415/2 to win the Golden Boot this year having been matched as high as 80.079/1. With France looking to have a reasonably easy route to the semi-final, he still ranks as a great bet.
Most Disappointing Team - Spain
England disappointed me in a big way, but it's hard to look past Spain really. To go from winning three major tournaments in a row, cementing themselves as the best national side of all time, to being knocked out in the group stage is pretty staggering, despite having a relatively tough group. The performances were abject, lauded individuals such as Diego Costa (more on him in a moment), Xavi and Iker Casillas have been poor throughout and there clearly will need to be rebuilding process as some of the older players retire from international football.
All that said, they still notched up more points and goals than England, so it could be worse for them.
Most Disappointing Individual - Diego Costa
For all the drama and controversy over which international side he was going to represent, Diego Costa eventually made his mark on this World Cup by being unquestionably the worst player in it. Which is probably not what he envisioned.
It is astonishing how a man of such obvious talent, who reached such lofty heights with Atletico Madrid last season, could be so poor. There are two possible reasons - he is either not fully fit or simply doesn't fit into this Spanish side. My inkling is that it's a bit of both. Either way, he stank the place out.
Best Bet for the Knockout Stages
Lay Brazil to reach the final at 2.727/4
Despite struggling throughout the group stage at different times, Brazil's price hasn't really moved either to reach the final or to win the tournament. Some see a side just starting to find their rhythm, and that's a perfectly valid opinion. I, however, see a team with little pace, relying way too much on Neymar and to a lesser extent Oscar to bail them out of trouble, who have a nightmarish route to the final.
If Brazil are to reach the showpiece at the Maracana, they'll probably need to navigate through Chile, Colombia and Netherlands, all of whom possess the firepower to spoil their party. 2.727/4 is way too short and I'm opposing it all day long.
Favourite Goal - James Rodriguez's dink against Japan
There are players who make their name at the World Cup, and although he has already been operating at a good level for Monaco, I get the feeling James Rodriguez is in the midst of becoming one of them. The goal he scored against Japan - a wonderful shimmy followed by a composed, technically-proficient dink over the onrushing keeper - capped off a great performance by the young Colombian and the impudence and composure he displayed got me out of my seat. And it's those moments that keep us addicted to the Beautiful Game.
Joe Dyer
Most Impressive Team - Mexico
It's been a funny group stage for the favourites with Spain bombing, Brazil nervous throughout, Germany loose against Ghana and Argentina laboured until finally shaking off the shackles against Nigeria. So, none of the principals have impressed and while the Netherlands enjoyed maximum points, their struggles against Australia were deeply unimpressive.
Given an easy group, Colombia have done what was expected and done it well, but Mexico are my slightly leftfield selection here in that they have performed when it just wasn't expected of them. A 1-0 defeat of Cameroon doesn't read well but there were wrongly disallowed goals in that game, and holding Brazil was a fantastic effort which could have been so much better if they hadn't been addicted to shooting from outside the box. Their final defeat of Croatia was expertly executed, killing off tiring opposition after the break. Mexico are really strong in defence, which is good, as they will be tested to the fullest by the Netherlands in the last 16.
Mexico are 36.035/1 to win the World Cup
Most Impressive Individual - Arjen Robben
I'm on the Netherlands to win the competition and while they have Arjen Robben in their ranks I have hope. The Bayern Munich man scares the bejesus out of the opposition, with searing pace and a deadly eye for goal. Arguably the best winger/attacking midfielder in the world, he has already lit up the tournament with three goals and could just carry the Netherlands home.
Most Disappointing Team - Portugal
So many to choose from with Europe not covering itself in glory! Something was clearly wrong with Spain, while England at least kept it mildly competitive when losing to Uruguay and Italy, who turned out to be pretty rubbish themselves! An honourable mention then to Portugal who have simply stunk the place out whenever I've seen them, collapsing against Germany and coming within seconds of a defeat to USA.
Most Disappointing Individual - Luis Suarez
I don't know if disappointed really sums up how we should be feeling about Luis Suarez at the moment but his third biting offence looks unforgivable and casts a shadow over the tournament which has wowed us so far. Remember that four years ago it was a deliberate handball from Suarez against Ghana that horrified many watchers, so he arguably didn't have to do much to live down to expectations but this addiction to biting opposition players really is quite freaky. For a player of such wonderful talent, Suarez horrifies us far too often.
Best Bet for Knockout Stages
Lionel Messi to win Golden Boot @ 4.03/1
Let's keep it simple - 4.216/5 on the world's best player and current joint top scorer to land the Golden Boot is a very decent bet. Lionel Messi's Argentina face Switzerland in the last-16 before a likely clash with Belgium in the quarters, two winnable games that give our man a great chance of boosting his current total. Messi sits alongside Neymar in the scoring charts but with Brazil's knockout games providing tougher opposition I'd far rather be siding with the wee man in white and blue.
Favourite Goal - Robin van Persie's header v Spain
The best goals have that element of surprise that catches you unawares and van Persie's headed lob of Iker Casillas ticked that box for me. Very few headers are scored like that anyway, and especially not against such strong opposition. One of those 'out of your seat' moments.
UK-based readers can view the goal here.
Dan Thomas
Most Impressive Team - Colombia
Pretty tough one to decide this given how well many teams have played so far. Honourable mentions to the Netherlands, France, Costa Rica and Chile but, largely because they were the saving grace of my pre-tournament picks (into 21.020/1 from 48.047/1 in the winner market), I'll have to go with Colombia.
The South Americans didn't have the toughest of groups - hope you all followed Ed Malyon's advice to back a 'simple win' at evens for them to top it - but they got maximum points in great style.
The drift on Colombia in the winner market in the wake of Radamel Falcao's injury always looked like an overreaction and so it proved with the likes of James Rodriguez and Jackson Martinez stepping up to the plate in the Monaco forward's absence. Form suggests they will face Brazil in the quarters which will obviously be tough - but you never know.
Most Impressive Individual - Neymar
No prizes for originality here, but it has to be Neymar doesn't it? With Brazil seemingly lacking any sort of decent frontman, the hopes of a nation have been resting on the Barcelona's forward's shoulders and he hasn't disappointed, scoring four goals and providing a spark every time he gets hold of the ball. Neymar had a relatively disappointing debut season in Spain but his stats for his country speak for themselves: 35 goals and 20 assists in 52 games.
Neymar is 4.67/2 to win the Golden Boot.
Most Disappointing Team - Spain
England an obvious candidate here - it's an achievement in itself not living up to the lowest expectations in years - but if I'm giving myself a pat on the back for picking out Colombia pre-tournament, only right that I hold my hands up about suggesting Spain as potential winners.
In my mind, 7.613/2 was an excellent price on a team who had won three major international tournaments on the bounce but it turned out to be terrible value even at those odds as the Spanish were steamrollered by both the Netherlands and Chile.
I thought the addition of Diego Costa would give Spain another dimension but it simply created confusion, as the midfielders struggled to work out how to play with a traditional frontman. Add this to some horrifically bad defending and goalkeeping (Iker Casillas' lack of game time last season was painfully evident) and you can see why Vicente Del Bosque's men crashed out at the first hurdle.
Most Disappointing Individual - Diego Costa
If Spain were the most disappointing team, then most underwhelming player has to be that man Costa. After lighting up La Liga last season, helping Atletico Madrid to the title, plenty was expected from the Brazil-born frontman but he cut a dejected figure as Spain were comprehensively beaten in their first two games. He clearly wasn't match fit, but that doesn't really excuse his performance levels - indeed, the rumour mill suggests other players in the team complained about his work rate. I'm sure we'll see the best of him at Chelsea next season, but it was a World Cup to forget.
Best Bet for the Knockout Stages
Back France to beat Top European Team at 4.47/2
It's always hard to judge the French ahead of a major tournament, given the behind-the-scenes fractures that seem to happen on a regular basis, but this summer's outfit have been impressive so far, particularly when scoring five past the normally parsimonious Switzerland.
I'm backing them to finish as top European team at a decent price here on the basis that they should beat Nigeria in the second round before probably facing Germany in the quarters. That will be a tough game but they won't be as long as 4.47/2 to win it so you'll be able to trade out - and then trust that Brazil will beat the Netherlands in their probable semi-final. A bit tortuous perhaps but the route to profit isn't always an easy one!
Favourite Goal - Tim Cahill v Netherlands
The gasp in the Betfair office when the goal went in said it all. To smack in a first time volley with your wrong foot at any time is pretty special but to do it at a World Cup when your side has just conceded is on a different level. The 'Yeboah bounce' off the underside of the bar capped it off nicely.
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