Best XI of the 2014 World Cup so far

After viewing quarter-finals ranging from the foul-laden Brazil v Colombia to the heart-stopping penalties between the Netherlands and Costa Rica, TODAY football columnist Adrian Clarke (sports [at] mediacorp.com.sg) updates his First XI of Brazil 2014.

Team of the Tournament after quarter-finals

Formation: 3-4-3

GOALKEEPER:

KEYLOR NAVAS (CRC)

In a tournament of sensational goalkeepers, the 27-year-old highly athletic and agile Levante stopper has been the best.

CENTRE-BACK:

MATS HUMMELS (Ger)

Climbing off his sick bed to send the Germans into the last four with a brilliant header against France, the 25-year-old Borussia Dortmund man has impressed with his strength, composure and ability to make match-saving blocks.

CENTRE-BACK:

GIANCARLO GONZALEZ (CRC)

Holding Los Ticos’ back three together with a string of inspirational performances, Gonzalez is the archetypal defensive rock.

CENTRE-BACK:

DAVID LUIZ (Bra)

The Brazilian’s dipping 30-yard thunder-bolting fizzer to beat Colombia will be one of the 2014 World Cup’s most spine-tingling moments. The Paris Saint-Germain new boy has improved with every game and is a key man in the semi-finals.

RIGHT MIDFIELD:

MATHIEU VALBUENA (Fra)

Always lively and wanting to make things happen, the tiny Marseille winger was a constant menace to opposition defenders.

CENTRE MIDFIELD:

BLAISE MATUIDI (Fra)

Although slightly subdued against Germany, the Frenchman has been the competition’s most dynamic central midfielder and his partnership with Paul Pogba arguably the strongest in Brazil.

CENTRE MIDFIELD:

JAMES RODRIGUEZ (Col)

With his six goals, Rodriguez has a great chance of winning the Golden Boot — and his finish against Uruguay is one of the World Cup’s most sensational strikes.

LEFT MIDFIELD:

ARJEN ROBBEN (NeD)

Although I despise the diving aspect of his game, Robben has been a revelation, scoring and making goals, and putting defenders on the seat of their pants with his running power.

FORWARD:

THOMAS MULLER (Ger)

If you take your eyes off Germany’s No 13 for a split second, you’re in trouble. With four goals and two assists, the clinical Bayern Munich ace has been an integral part of Germany’s run to the semi-finals.

FORWARD:

LIONEL MESSI (Arg)

The Argentina captain has been nothing short of exceptional. Although Messi’s goals may have dried up, he’s still been brilliant for La Albiceleste.

FORWARD:

NEYMAR (Bra)

It’s such a pity Neymar, heartbreakingly ruled out of the race with a back injury, won’t play any further part. The Barcelona ace has almost single-handedly carried Brazil this far.

MANAGER:

LOUIS VAN GAAL (NED)

Every tactic the incoming Manchester United manager has tried has turned to gold. Swapping goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen for Tim Krul for the penalty shoot-out with Costa Rica was a brave but brilliant move. Van Gaal thinks outside the box.