The final group games gave us more to sink our teeth into. There was late drama as Greece made it through to the last-16, huge controversy around Luis Suarez and 42 goals to enjoy. Our writer Declan Olley (@declanolley) looks at the best and worst moments of the final group games and give his team of the round…
Best game: Croatia 1-3 Mexico
Mexican coach Miguel Herrera regarded this as one of the best days of his life and he certainly celebrated like it was. Three Mexican goals in 10 second-half minutes booked their place in the last-16 ahead of Croatia, who had been outclassed and outthought in Recife.
Honourable mention: Argentina 3-2 Nigeria
Worst match: Costa Rica 0-0 England
A forgettable game in a forgettable tournament for English football. There was little from Roy Hodgson’s side to restore the pride which he had talked about before this match. In fact, the best bit of the bore draw came from an England fan, whose banner read: Flights to Rio – £1,200, Enjoying the ambiance – £2,000, Accommodation – £2,000, Arriving after elimination – priceless.
The one that got away: Italy 0-1 Uruguay
Best goal: James Rodriguez vs. Japan (Colombia’s fourth in their 4-1 win)
The Colombian number 10 came on for the second-half and scored one of the goals of the tournament. He jinked past Japan defender Maya Yoshid and executed a deft lob over the onrushing goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima. Simply magical.
Honourable mention: Lionel Messi’s second vs. Nigeria, a wonderful free-kick to make it 2-1
Worst mistake: Luis Suarez
The Uruguayan and Liverpool striker bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini and has been suspended from all football-related activity for four months. Enough said.
The one that got away: Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, whose blunder allowed Algeria to score the goal that took them through at the expense of his team
Best save: Dominguez vs. Griezmann (Ecuador 0-0 France)
Antoine Griezmann’s near post flick look good to put France ahead but a great reaction save from Alexander Dominguez kept the scores level. It was pure instinct from the Ecuadorian goalkeeper who had a night to remember.
Honourable mention: At 43-years-old Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, who is now the oldest player to feature at a World Cup, showed age is only a number with a last minute stop from Yoichiro Kakitani
Team of the third and final group phase (4-2-3-1): Alexander Dominguez (Ecuador); Jose Holebas (Greece), Rafael Marquez (Mexico), Diego Godin (Uruguay), Daryl Janmaat (Netherlands); Hector Herrera (Mexico), Miralem Pjanic (Bosnia and Herzegovina); Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland), James Rodriguez (Colombia), Neymar (Brazil); Lionel Messi (Argentina).