Team of the tournament (so far)

So, the group stages of the World Cup are over, with some shocks and surprises along the way. I look at the team of the tournament so far, playing the bog standard 4-4-2 formation.

GK - Guillermo Ochoa - Mexico

You only have to look at this man's performance against Brazil to see why he's been chosen as the goalkeeper in my team. Mexico only conceded one goal in the group stages, a consolation for Croatia in a 3-1 triumph for Mexico. He'll need to be at his best to keep out a rampant Holland side in the next round though, but if he performs like he did in the Brazil game, then Mexico may just sneak through.

RB - Fabian Johnson - USA

Another North American, Johnson has been the focal point of most of the US attacks, despite playing at right back. He has continuously bombed down the right, providing balls into the area and causing the opposition plenty of problems, especially in the Portugal game. With the US playing Belgium in the next round, Johnson will have to do well against Jan Vertonghen.

CB - Gary Medel - Chile

Whilst he may not have set the world alight at Cardiff last season, he has certainly performed well for Chile, albeit in a slightly different position to the one that he played at Cardiff. Malky Mackay and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deployed him as a defensive midfielder, whilst Jorge Sampaoli preferring him at centre back. He isn't the biggest in terms of stature, but his performance against Spain alone is enough to merit his inclusion in this squad.

CB - Mario Yepes - Colombia

Proving age is just a number, at 38 years of age, Mario Yepes has been hugely impressive for Colombia, with his performance against the Ivory Coast cited as one of the reasons why they've progressed into the next round. As Colombia's captain, he's also done a fantastic job of leading his side to the knockout rounds, especially considering they're without Falcao, arguably their best player. With this likely to be his last international outing, Yepes is keen to go out on a high.

LB - Daley Blind - Holland

Just look at his pass to Robin van Persie for the equaliser against Spain; it was pure brilliance, as was the finish. I had doubts about Holland's defense coming into the tournament, but they've arguably been the best part of their play, with Louis van Gaal organising them incredibly well; so well that 3 of his first choice back five have been linked with moves to Manchester United, Blind included. This spot was between him and Iran's Mehrdad Pooladi, but I've given it to Blind based on the fact that Holland qualified for the knockout stage.

RM - Arjen Robben - Holland

I know he's played further forward than right midfield this tournament, but I can't not include him after the 3 games that he has had. Two goals in the opener against Spain, a further goal vs Australia and an incredible assist against Chile means that he merits inclusion on the right hand side. He's worked hand in hand with van Persie in what is the deadliest partnership at these finals so far, and could well tear Mexico apart.

CM - James Rodriguez - Colombia

For me, he has been the player of the tournament. Maybe they didn't have the toughest of groups, but he has been the shining light, scoring in every match so far, with his goal against Japan being the pick of the bunch. He's also bagged himself 3 assists, and he's only 22. He's already commanded a £37.5m transfer fee, and Monaco must know that they've got a real player on their hands. The whole world now knows it too.

CM - Thomas Muller - Germany

He's listed as a midfielder in the German squad, so I'm going to include him as a midfielder too. A hat trick in the opening game against Portugal - seen by many as the hardest game of the group - and a well taken finish against the US today has only further enhanced his goalscoring reputation at World Cups - 9 goals in 9 games - and he's only 24 years of age, which is scary if nothing else. He's got a good chance of being top scorer again, with Germany playing Algeria in the next round, I wouldn't bet against it.

LM - Neymar - Brazil

It's his World Cup. He's the poster boy. He has to perform, and perform he is. Two goals in the curtain raiser against Croatia before two more against Cameroon in the final group game mean he is currently the joint top scorer, and with a second round game against Chile to come, could he add to his tally? Brazil have a dependence on him to perform well, in much the same way that Argentina do with Messi. Speaking of which...

ST - Lionel Messi - Argentina

He's hasn't had the greatest of World Cups in the past, but come 2014 in South America, Messi has set the world alight yet again, with stunning goals against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Iran digging Argentina out of holes they really shouldn't be in, as well as a double against Nigeria which included a sublime free kick. Can Messi single handedly win the tournament for Argentina though? I doubt it, but if he keeps playing this well, they may well go far, especially with Swtizerland next.

ST - Robin van Persie - Holland

I've mentioned him twice before in this post, and now for a third time. Many of us were wondering what kind of van Persie will show up at this tournament and we soon got the answer, with an incredible header. Two goals and a suspension later, and van Persie has a wonderful chance to increase his goal tally with a game against Mexico. Manchester United fans must be loving the way that van Persie is playing under van Gaal, but they still came 7th last year so yeah.