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Updated: 2014-07-13 18:04

Best performed players
Goalkeepers
Magic moments at a World Cup are not limited to spectacular goals. There are also some amazing saves made by goalkeepers. Among the eight matches of the round of 16, five went to extra time and two to penalties. Goalkeepers were also heroes then as they saved spot kicks to keep their team's hopes alive.
Special: Scintillating saves rival glorious goals

Most dedicated player
Neymar
"I kept getting tripped up and kicked to pieces ...," said Neymar, "and the referee did nothing to protect me or my teammates from these rough-house tactics." Neymar, describing how he was battered at this World Cup and is now out after a Colombian opponent fractured his back?
Neymar cheering for Messi

Most humble hero
Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose became the World Cup's all-time record scorer with 16 goals - surpassing Brazil great Ronaldo's 15. Klose equaled Ronaldo's tally against Ghana in the group stage and netted his record-breaker in Germany's 7-1 demolition of Brazil.
Klose: Ronaldo still the best

Best dark horse
Costa Rica
The performance of Costa Rica reminds us of another unfancied team, Greece, who won Euro 2004. Just like the Greeks, Costa Rica arrived in Brazil as one of the dark horses. "Los Ticos" defeated former world champions Uruguay and Italy in the "group of death ", which took them back to the last 16.
Costa Rica provides example for China

Most inspirational team
Team USA
US President Barack Obama took a break from affairs of state to pop into a White House staff party to watch part of the World Cup soccer match between the US and Belgium in the round of 16. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann praised his team’s fighting spirit in spite of the second straight World Cup round of 16 knock-out.
Obama shares nation's World Cup agony

Most friendly rivals
Loew and Klinsmann
Joachim Loew and Jurgen Klinsmann shook hands, smiled and gave each other a hug, like the two good friends they are. The pair had every reason to be pleased having seen both their teams advance to the knockout stages , kicking Portugal and Ghana out of the race.
Germany vs USA – Made in Germany

Most humiliating team
Brazil
Host Brazil's crushing 7-1 defeat to Germany astonished fans around the world. Losing by such a margin was seen as an embarrassment and humiliation for a nation where soccer rules. Then the host failed to make the third place finish and thus missed the last chance to impress home fans.
Special: One-sided World Cup games

Most fascinating shoot-outs

Best last-minute goals

Best goals

Best saves

Best dental work
Luis Suarez
Uruguay's Luis Suarez who sunk his teeth into Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder in their final Group D game. His third biting offence, after incidents in 2010 and 2013, earned a suspension from all football-related activity for four months plus a nine international match ban and a 100,000 Swiss francs fine.
Carrot and stick needed to change Suarez

Most idiotic way to deal with a teammate
Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Cameroon's Benoit Assou-Ekotto's headbutt on teammate Benjamin Moukandjo towards the end of their 4-0 Group A humiliation at the hands of Croatia.
Match fixing fears raised

Most needless red card
Pepe
Portugal's task to overcome a 0-2 deficit against Germany was made even harder by a needless 37th minute red card for Pepe. The defender, furious at what he felt was "simulation" by Germay's Thomas Mueller following a slight collision between the two, was sent off for pushing his head into the German's face as he sat on the ground.
Pepe, Pereira get 1-match bans for red cards

Most controversial referee
Yuichi Nishimura
Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura was the toast of Brazil and the curse of Croatia after his contentious penalty award proved decisive in helping the home side to a 3-1 opener win in the World Cup.
Croatia furious with Japanese ref after defeat