All won the World Cup with Germany as they beat Argentina in the final. Mesut Ozil started every game for Germany and received heavy criticism for his performances scoring one goal and registering one assist. However, he finished the tournament with a pass accuracy of 87% and created 17 goal-scoring opportunities for his team mates, throughout the tournament, a stat only bettered by Lionel Messi. Mertesacker started four games and kept two clean sheets and made substitute appearances in both the final and semi-final. Lukas Podolski made one substitute appearance.
Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny both reached the quarter-final with France. Giroud scored one and assisted another in what was otherwise a very low-key display at the finals but showed some good link up play with Mathieu Valbuena and Karim Benzema. Koscielny made two starts and another two appearances of the bench and helped France keep two clean sheets.
New signing Alexis Sanchez had a brilliant World Cup and was one of the shining stars in a top-performing Chile side. Scoring two goals in four games and also claiming an assist. His attacking play and defensive work won many plaudits thorough the tournament, and was exciting to look!
Santi Carzorla was unable to stop Spain from crashing out at the group stages, as he made two substitute appearances. He brought much needed energy to a lethargic Spanish side against Chile but his late efforts were saved.
Thomas Vermaelen mad one appearance for Belgium at the World Cup in what was a rather disappointing World Cup for both him and his country as a much hyped Belgium side failed to live up to their dark horses tag.
Joel Campbell showed the World his ready to make his first appearance for Arsenal with lively displays throughout the tournament. Collecting a goal and an assist as Costa Rica proved the pundits wrong by making it out of death and to the quarter finals.