Germany
may have emerged victorious at the World Cup, but Joachim Low wasn't the
only manager who watched his players shine in Brazil.
Poster-boy
Neymar enjoyed a fine tournament before injury struck, Arjen Robben
tormented opposition defences in the orange of Holland and Giancarlo
Gonzalez helped Costa Rica prove their credentials on the biggest stage.
With the final whistle having been blown at the Maracana, Sportsmail picks its team of the tournament.
MANUEL NEUER (Germany)
Could
have turned up with one hand tied behind his back and still probably
kept out most teams at this World Cup. A formidable goalkeeper for a
formidable team.
Safe hands: Manuel Neuer kept Argentina out at the Maracana to help seal World Cup victory for Germany
PHILIPP LAHM (Germany)
Lifting
the trophy was a fitting climax to the tournament for Lahm. Excelled in
his more natural role at right-back, but did we expect anything less?
Mr Versatile: Philipp Lahm helped Germany lift the World Cup after playing at right-back and in midfield
VIDEO All Star XI: Philip Lahm highlights
GIANCARLO GONZALEZ (Costa Rica)
A
towering figure at the back who did more than any other Costa Rican
player to ensure that the underdogs only conceded two goals in five
games.
Rock solid: Costa Rica's Giancarlo Gonzalez (left) helped his country keep three clean sheets in Brazil
MATS HUMMELS (Germany)
Inspirational
in the quarter-final win over France, Hummels confirmed his reputation
as one of the best central defenders in world football.
Magic moment: Mats Hummels celebrates scoring the winning goal against France in the quarter-finals
DALEY BLIND (Holland)
Defended well and put in some wonderful balls from the left for the Dutch. Capped it off with a goal in the Third Place Playoff.
Ending on a high: Daley Blind scores for Holland in their 3-0 Third Place Playoff win against hosts Brazil
JAVIER MASCHERANO (Argentina)
A rock at the heart of Argentina’s run to the World Cup final,
Mascherano was one player who didn’t deserve to be on the losing side at
the Maracana.
Man in the middle: Javier Mascherano put in a series of excellent performances as Argentina reached the final
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER (Germany)
Just edges out teammate Toni Kroos based on his performance in the final. Those last 10 minutes were like a scene from Rocky.
Driving force: Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger takes a breather after lifting the World Cup
ARJEN ROBBEN (Holland)
The
Dutchman seems to get faster with age. Too late to cut out the diving
now, but there was no-one more dangerous when in possession.
Wing wizard: Holland forward Arjen Robben tormented defenders during his country's run to the semi-finals
NEYMAR (Brazil)
The
poster boy of Brazil 2014 handled the intense pressure remarkably well
with four goals in five games before he was kicked out of the World Cup,
and Brazil duly followed.
Talisman: Brazil forward Neymar managed four goals in five games before breaking a bone in his back
JAMES RODRIGUEZ (Colombia)
Outstanding
player who scored arguably the outstanding goal of the tournament.
Energy and verve a joy to watch until he came up against Brazil’s
hatchet men.
Danger man: Colombia's James Rodriguez managed to score six goals in Brazil - more than any other player
THOMAS MULLER (Germany)
Is
he a false 9, false 10 or a false something else? While we debated the
point, Muller put on No 13 and scored five goals for the second World
Cup in a row.
More to come: Thomas Muller scored five goals at the World Cup for the second consecutive tournament
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