Flops of 2014 World Cup tourney

RIO DE JANEIRO. — Flops of the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament as selected by Reuters journalists (4-3-3):
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain)
Defenders: Dani Alves (Brazil), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Pepe (Portugal), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Cameroon)
Midfielders: Eden Hazard (Belgium), Shinji Kagawa (Japan), Alex Song (Cameroon)
Forwards: Fred (Brazil), Mario Balotelli (Italy), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain). Kept his place ahead of Pepe Reina and David de Gea despite no longer being automatic first choice at Real Madrid. He began with a nightmare performance in the 5-1 defeat by the Netherlands and produced another blunder in the 2-0 loss to Chile when he punched a free kick straight to Charles Aranguiz who scored the South Americans’ second goal. Left Brazil with his reputation in ruins.

Right back: Dani Alves (Brazil). The Barcelona player left so much space down Brazil’s right flank that it was dubbed “Dani Alves Avenue” by local media. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari eventually lost patience and brought in Maicon to try and plug the gaping hole in the quarterfinals and semifinals, but with no success.

Centre back: Pepe (Portugal). The controversial Real Madrid defender got himself sent off before half-time in the opening 4-0 defeat by Germany for pushing his head into Thomas Mueller as the forward sat on the ground.

Banned for the next game against the United States, Pepe returned for the final match against Ghana but the damage was done and although Portugal beat the African side 2-1, their star-studded team failed to make the last 16. Centre back: Sergio Ramos (Spain). The World Cup seemed to be a bridge too far for Ramos after his exertions in helping Real Madrid win the Champions League. — Soccernet.