Footballing World

Football writing on the Premier League, Euro 2008 and world game

Search

//

World Cup Analysis

World Cup Select XI

By Matthew Day ⋅ July 12, 2006 ⋅

Email This Post ⋅

Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

& Tim Wigmore

Two unfancied nations in France and Italy were the eventual participants in Berlin to conclude a glorious World Cup tournament. And so despite the likes of Ronaldinho, Leo Messi and Wayne Rooney failing to light up an already dazzling tournament, it was a time for the less well-known players to make an impact.

Footballing World selects the star 11 players from a month in Germany.

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)

No football experts need to be drafted in to describe the base of an Italian World Cup team: the defence. Before the final, only Christain Zaccardo had put past the globe’s most expensive goalkeeper and although the resilience of the four men in front undoubtedly helped his cause, Buffon quietly went about his business despite being implicated in the domestic scandal.

He has not had the chance to showcase and justify his price tag as of yet, but aided with the lack of much competition in the ‘keeper’s lounge, the Juventus stopper ensured that the only worry for Marcello Lippi and the Italian press was how goals were to be scored.

The only other occasion he was beaten was via a penalty in the final, but his regular two or three major stops in each of the seven games were of no difficulty to the ever-smiling and relaxed world-class goalkeeper.

Right-back: Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy)

Please note: a significant number of our select XI are Italian. But then again Zambrotta’s guile and propensity to perform brilliantly, results in a deserved place in the elite list.

He missed out on the first game but became an ever-present from the USA draw at right-back, despite his favoured position being on the opposing flank. And when moving forward, as the Ukrainians found out, Zambrotta can also cause havoc - he scored one from 25 yards and then expertly set-up another after barging his way past fellow defenders before sliding the ideal ball, while lying on the ground, to Luca Toni.

There was no better defence in the World Cup than the Italians’ - no real surprises there - but this time it was competent enough to allow Italy to progress further than what was expected, and Zambrotta was another of the unsung hero’s that went about his job with passion and vigour. But now his efforts can be recognised as courageous in the joyous scenes engulfing the country.

Centre-back: Fabio Cannavaro (Italy)

He may have missed out on the player of the tournament award by just 35 votes and his size may have been ridiculed but the Italian captain was the most adept centre-back of the World Cup.

Cannavaro possesses a mighty leap to get above even the tallest players, and gave away very few free-kicks and avoided even one booking. He did not become embroiled in arguments with the officials or the opposition like many nations felt the need to, but instead smiled and ran back into position.

No negative judgements could be passed on him like so many of the other stars of the World Cup and, like a good referee, the fact one didn’t notice his commanding presence was indicative of what a brilliant commander he was.

Centre-back: Roberto Ayala (Argentina)

The Argentineans, unfortunately, peaked far too soon and departed after reaching only the quarter-finals. The blend of youth with age appeared to be the right one for further progress, and this was personified by Ayala’s knowledgeable performances.

He has over 100 caps for his country, and helped them concede just three goals in their five games, as well as scoring himself against the hosts in the last-eight tie - a goal that looked for so long that it was to be the winning one. El Rat’n (the Mouse) has most likely played his final World Cup at 33, but his steady head kept Argentina bubbling and almost to the brink of glory and his passion will never dissolve.

Left-back: Fabio Grosso (Italy)

Unless you intensely follow Italian football, Grosso’s name will be new to you. He plays for Palermo and is 28, but the autobiography should be more interesting than that after his crucial semi-final intervention and then cool head in the final shoot-out. For a left-back, his curling effort on the turn that wrapped around Jens Lehmann, it was a moment of fame. The symbolic celebration followed and unexpectedly he was the face of Italy.

But his job was more complete than one vital goal. He missed only the draw with the USA, where one of the two goals Italy conceded in their seven games came, and not only did he frustrate opponent runners, he was given the freedom to scale the left flank and his ability was in full view in the first half of the final.

At one stage he used terrific skill to flick a ball past Willy Sagnol, and was a huge asset in the Italian’s impressive attacking force. He was one of the four imposing and inspiring members of the defensive line that proved so essential to the successful campaign. And to cap things off, he coolly slotted past Fabien Barthez to win the World Cup.

Midfield: Patrick Vieira (France)

Patrick Vieira was one of many Frenchmen who started poorly but improved as the tournment progressed. For those whose only taste of Vieira since he left Arsenal was his ill-fated return to the club with Juventus last season, his bad start proved the extent of his decline. But the former Arsenal skipper instead played some of the finest football of his career, to serve as a reminder that, in fact, he is only 30.

The tall, imposing figure of Vieira returned to the commanding figure of yore against Togo, on what was his birthday. With the first, crucial, goal, he secured France’s passage in the last 16. Thereafter, he proceeded to control proceedings against much finer teams. The presence of Claude Makelele alongside Vieira allowed the player freedom to utilise his power and raw pace to roam forward; the effect was devastating. Vieira scored another winner, against Spain, and suddenly he was less ghost-like; the often-passive nature of Vieira since 2004 was replaced with his more active and adventerous former self.

The Juventus player dominated games with his buccaneering style in Germany; he was a fusion of crunching tackles and offensive verve - Vieira contributed two goals and two assists in seven games, a remarkable tally for a player of his nature. Indeed, the winner of the Jules Rimet trophy could even had been different had perhaps the best player in the final during the first hour not been forced off through injury. While few dared themselves to question Wenger’s judgement in selling the man yet, Vieira’s superb performances at the World Cup led to a re-think of many premature obituaries for the player.

Midfield: Andrea Pirlo (Italy)

There can be no questioning of Pirlo’s impact on the world’s greatest stage, with the midfield dynamo scoring once, providing three assists, netting the first penalty in the final shoot-out and earning himself the Fifa Man of the Match award no less than three times, most notably in the final when his corner was met by Marco Materazzi’s head for the equaliser.

His ability was on show from the Italian’s first kick of the ball - his brilliant 25 yard effort in their first game against Ghana initiated what was to be a very successful campaign. And although Fabio Grosso’s 119th minute winning goal in the semi-final is the celebrated, it was Pirlo who provided the pass from the edge of the penalty area to Grosso’s feet. It had split the seemingly unbeatable German defence.

Pirlo came third in the Golden Ball voting, and was another Italian who did not dominate proceedings, but instead went about his job effectively and efficiently, and was a key element in his nation’s success.

Midfield: Gennaro Gattuso (Italy)

Every nation needs a dog-like performer to niggle at opponents and destroy their gameplan. Whether it is via disrupting passing moves or frightening defenders into submission, Gattuso lived-up to his status as the bulldog with virtuoso performances - he was the kind of player Brazil were too afraid to have and England missed out on.

His spell in Scotland with Rangers probably toughened him up in the Robbie Savage mode. Not only is Gattuso a tenacious midfielder, but understandably he is proficient as a defender, where he was forced to play for half the game against Australia. And judging by the minimal threat of Guus Hiddink’s men following Materazzi’s dismissal, he filled in superbly.

He earned a man of the match award against Ukraine and the shorts came off as is tradition after Italy’s ultimate triumph.

Midfield: Juan Roman Riquelme (Argentina)

The word ‘playmaker’ was invented for someone of Riquelme’s ability, and he was one of the few stars that lived-up to his pre-tournament billing. Given the iconic number 10 shirt, he lives an unusually quiet life and found Diego Maradona’s arrival in the team dressing room before the opening game against Ivory Coast disturbing and unsettling.

But it did not stop the Villarreal man potently breaking down the opposition. He has only flourished in the Yellow Submarine - away from the big town pressures of Barcelona - and his incredible ability was revealed when he cut through the Ivorian’s defence to send Javier Saviola through for Argentina’s second goal. He majestically patrolled the midfield and also set-up the first goal for Hernan Crespo: it was another lavish cross.

And although he did not score in the 6-0 beating of Serbia & Montenegro, Riquelme earned the Fifa Man of the Match award. He delivered the ball to Saviola who then flicked it on to Estan Cambiasso to finish that 24-pass move and was again the unassuming master of ceremonies. It was his corner that led to Argentina’s leveller against Mexico and Ayala’s header in the quarter-final. Riquelme was indisputably his country’s best player. He dictated how Argentina played without fuss, and then contributed immensely to all their attacking moves - many which ended with the prized result of a goal.

Midfield: Zinedine Zidane (France)

Zidane’s influence on the World Cup was such that he was voted Player of the tounament (although admittedly many of the votes were cast before his sending-off.) And it is easy to see why Zizou won the accolade - for his brilliant qualities lifted a France team that started feebly to a spectacular run to the final.

Even in a side featuring Thierry Henry, Zidane remained the talisman till the end. France were insipid in their opening two games, drawing against both Switzerland and South Korea; with Zizou nowhere near his best, the side looked bereft of creativity. Suspended for the crunch game against Togo - a match his country needed to win to progress - it seemed his last act on a football pitch could be being subbed by Reymond Domenech in the latter stages of the game with South Korea. Though ultimately his career did end ignominously, Zidane’s exploits between being subbed then and sent-off in the final confirmed beyond doubt that he has been the greatest player of his generation.

A sign of France’s downturn in fortunes was they were underdogs going into the game with Spain. The old guard were soon a goal down. But no matter. For Zidane helped thrillingly turn the game in France’s favour, orchestrating the play and delivering the two knockout blows; the first was an exquisitely-delivered free-kick headed in by Patrick Vieira; the second saw Zidane majestically seal the game with a devastating finish.

Against favourites Brazil, Zidane controlled the play effortlessly, spraying the ball around despite the attentions of several markers. Once more, it was he who changed the course of the game, finding Henry from a set-piece. But there was more to come from the 34-year-old. His reputation for coolness under pressure appeared to be confirmed by crucial penalties in both the semi-final and final. The stage seemed to be set for the greatest farewell in the history of the game; what happened next may have tarnished Zidane’s reputation, but his place in the pantheon of greats was long ago ensured.

Striker: Fernando Torres (Spain)

The latest Spanish prodigy has that essential hint of arrogance which was fit for the World Cup. And had the team not once again flattered to deceive, Torres may have well have ended up with the Golden Shoe. He plies his trade at lowly Atletico Madrid but on the evidence of his four games in Germany, he may find himself at one of Europe’s top clubs at the end of a large cheque.

Although he scored twice against Tunisia - including a penalty lucky to get past the goalkeeper - it was his opener against Ukraine that revealed his huge potential. Despite it being essentially a ‘team’ goal, Torres’s finish was opulent: he drove from just inside the box above the outstretched leg of a defender and past the despairing dive of Olexandr Shovkovskiy.

He may have become even better had Spain progressed beyond the second round, as they ought to have with their exciting and talented squad, but his time is the future.

OTHER CONTENDERS
Goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann (Germany), Ricardo (Angola)
Defenders: Lilian Thuram (France), Rafael Marquez (Mexico), Carles Puyol (Spain), Philip Lahm (Germany)
Midfielders: Luis Figo (Portugal), Franck Ribery (France), Maxi Rodriguez (Argentina), Maniche (Portugal), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Tim Cahill (Australia), Stephen Appiah (Ghana)
Strikers: Thierry Henry (France), Miroslav Klose (Germany)