Bigsoccerhead's World Cup First 12

Line-up based on 4-3-3 formation

Eduardo: Portugal's best player?


1. Eduardo (Portugal): Villa’s game-winning goal that sent the underperforming Portuguese home, was the first goal the Portuguese keeper surrendered in the world cup. Eduardo made key saves against the Ivory Coast and Brazil to ensure Portugal’s progression to the knockout rounds, and against Spain he postponed what everyone knew was the inevitable, an early Portuguese departure.

2. Philipp Lahm (Germany): Moved from the left side of defense to the right, and made captain due to Ballack’s injury, Lahm continued his club form, supplying attacking support on the wings with ominous crosses, and making crucial tackles at the back. Against the Spanish, Lahm was one of the only Germans who played well, helping lock down the defense before Puyol’s header gave the Iberians a much-deserved victory.

3. Carlos Puyol (Spain): His header against the Germans was symbolic of Puyol’s hard work and commitment to the team. His leaping header followed a fifteen-yard run that resulted in an unstoppable goal. Defensively, the Spaniard showed the grit and tenacity that has become a rarity in international football, and frustrated some of the world’s best forwards. Just ask Cristiano Ronaldo.

4. Arne Friedrich (Germany): Calm and consistent throughout the entire tournament, the right-back turned center-back proved an almost insurmountable wall in the German defense. Dwarfed by Mertesacker, the now Wolfsburg man marked some of the world cup’s best forwards, which included David Villa and Gonzalo Higuain.

5. Jorge Fucile (Uruguay): Initially replaced by FC Porto teammate Alvaro Pereira, Fucile soon won back his spot and proved an unshakable left-back. Steady in every game, the Uruguayan shone against the Germans, making life difficult for Thomas Muller, and providing some much needed assistance in the upper third of the field.

6. Xavi Hernandez (Spain): It’s a cliché to call him the human metronome, but that is exactly what he is. His partnership with Iniesta is arguably the best in the world and will unlock any defense. Always composed under pressure, and with a nose for the prefect pass, Xavi’s air of tranquility must send shivers down opponents’ spines. Every player on the field looks much better when the diminutive Barcelona man is on the field.

Schweinsteiger: Bigsoccerhead player of the tournament

7. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany): My pick for the tournament’s Golden Ball, and an absolute motor in the German midfield. Schweinsteiger was the quintessential box-to-box midfielder, setting the tempo for the German offense and putting in some game-saving tackles at the back. It’s fair to say that almost every single German counterattack resulted from one of his tackles or was initiated by one of his passes. Against Spain, the Bayern Munich man was able to navigate through Spanish pressure, but was ultimately let down by most of his teammates who seemed intimidated by the opposition.

8. Wesley Sneijder (Holland): The quintessential number 10. A bit of a non-factor in the final, but mostly because an awesome Spanish midfield foursome overwhelmed him. Sneijder played behind three forwards and still managed to outscore all of them with five goals. With a solid defensive midfield behind him, the Inter man was free to pull the strings for the Oranje with his incisive passes. Without him, Holland would never have reached the final.

9. Andres Iniesta (Spain): The catalyst of the Spanish offense, and the difference maker in the final (not just because he scored). Iniesta was almost impossible to mark since Del Bosque gave him license to go where he pleased - van Bommel will have nightmares about his inability to stop Iniesta in the final, no matter how much he hacked him. His flick assist for Villa’s goal against Portugal epitomizes his creative spark on the field, and exemplifies how important it is to allow imaginative players to express themselves in football.

Forlan: FIFA's Golden Ball winner 

10. Diego Forlan (Uruguay): The fan favorite, player of the tournament, and influential leader of the Uruguayan national team, Forlan proved to the world that in his current form his name deserves to be mentioned with the best players of the game. Only a crossbar prevented him from scoring his sixth goal of the tournament, and kept Uruguay from drawing even with the Germans. One couldn’t help but root for the success of the Atletico Madrid man, who gave hope to underdogs all over the world.

11. David Villa (Spain): Deadly when attacking from the left and responsible for driving Spain to victory in the group games, the new Barcelona man dazzled fans with his craftiness, agility, and eye for goal. Villa’s performances suffered when Torres was benched in the semis, as he had to fend for himself as Spain’s lone striker. Nevertheless, he always proved to be a goal scoring threat and gave his midfielders plenty of room to operate by drawing extra-special attention from defenders.

12. Oscar Tabarez (Uruguay): Guiding Uruguay to the world cup twice is already enough of an accomplishment for any coach, so guiding the team to the semis will surely turn the former teacher into a folk hero. His tactics may have landed Uruguay in the world cup final, but the team’s lack of depth just couldn’t compete with the more talented sides of Holland and Germany.

What's your first 11?