2014 World Cup: Top 5 performers from the Round of 16

Tuesday saw the Round of 16 draw to a close as the last few teams booked their place in the quarter finals of the World Cup.Reflecting back on who emerged victorious from a series of scintillating and unforgettable matches, one eye-catching statistic emerged all of the group winners had managed to find safe passage to the final eight.And although that remains a fascinating snippet in its own right, what that doesnt reflect justly is the manner in which they got there as nearly all the matches were tight affairs filled with late, late goalsand high-octane drama.And with that, its time to take a look at the players who made their mark as the losers were eliminated and the winners advanced one step closer to glory.

#1 Tim Howard - USA

Despite the USA eventually getting eliminated by outside favourites Belgium during the week, it was their talismanic shot-stopper who stole the show to turn in an awe-inspiring performance.

Making a combined total of 16 saves throughout normal and extra time, the American custodian threw down the gauntlet to Marc Wilmots’ young guns as he defied them time and again to give Jurgen Klinsmann hope that his side could actually reach the quarter finals for the second time in their history.

In the end, it was the introduction of Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku that proved the difference as his fresh legs and sheer physical strength gave the Belgians the added edge they needed. Powering past Matt Besler out near the touchline, he assisted Kevin De Bruyne to score the first goal.

And he also scored one himself to give them the breathing space they needed.

But former Manchester United ‘keeper Howard should rightfully take home the plaudits for the manner in which he battled for 120 minutes to give his side a fightng chance of upsetting the odds.

It was just such a shame that the States couldn’t find the equalising goal – he would have been offered the chance to become the winning hero in between the sticks in a shoot-out.

Just imagine the scenes in Salvador had he single-handedly dragged them through to a face-off against Lionel Messi, as well as the positive repercussions it would’ve had for US soccer.

If only.

#2 James Rodriguez - Colombia

As skillful and exciting a player as there’s been at the World Cup so far this summer, James Rodriguez has unexpectedly outshone all of the big stars to date. Coming into the competition with his fair share of admirers, the 22-year-old prodigy continues to pop up with the performances and the goals his team need, even as the pressure mounts on him to conjure up something special.

Dare it be said, but it’s almost as if their main source of goals, Radmael Falcao, has been forgotten all of a sudden. Setting the second round alight with a blindingly brilliant brace against Uruguay, AS Monaco’s playmaker took Oscar Tabarez’s gameplan apart with two unstoppable goals; his individual adroitness escaping the constraints of tactics and pressure.

In particular, his first goal to break the deadlock truly captured the spirit of his playful style of football as he took the chance straight off the bat, instinctively to wow the millions of viewers yet again.

We await your next move, Mr. Rodriguez.

#3 Hulk - Brazil

Brazil’s Hulk started the match against Chile very brightly and continued to make a nuisance of himself as the match progressed. From as early as the 13th minute, his surging run into the box after a one-two with Neymar had the Chilean back-line on edge as there were strong claims for a penalty from the bench after he took a tumble inside the 18-yard box – and although nothing was given, the signs were there that the 27-year-old was fired up for this one.

Then, in the 55th minute, he struck to give Brazil a 2-1 advantage, but only for as little as a few seconds as it was soon ruled out by the linesman for a handball from the Zenit St Petersburg frontman. Pinging in some wickedly pacy dead-balls for his team-mates to out-jump a diminutive Chile defence, Hulk contributed a lot to the Canarinho’s confident and battling style of play (despite not sticking away his penalty in the suspenseful shoot-out).

And, yet, after such a fine individual display cutting in from the wings to influence the match more, it’s possible he’ll be given a more important role against Colombia for their highly-anticipated quarter-final duel.

#4 Mathieu Valbuena - France

Playing out of his skin in an end-to-end contest against Nigeria on Monday was the smallest man on the pitch – Mathieu Valbuena.

Dictating the tempo of the game, the 5’5” Olympique de Marseille playmaker was central to much of what his side created; sweeping forward with purpose to harass the Nigerian defence, his high-intensity movement made for entertaining viewing.

His link-up with Paul Pogba in the 22nd minute where they fashioned a one-two together before the Juventus star received a lovely chip from the right-wing to volley a shot at Vincent Enyeama was typical of the quality on show. But the scores remained level. Nonetheless, Valbuena persisted in looking for a weakness in a stubborn Super Eagles defence.

And in the 79th minute it was his delivery that eventually found its way to the head of Pogba who nodded into the back of the net past the onlooking defenders.

Then, again, it was the guile of the Marseille player that effectively put the game beyond Stephen Keshi’s charges as his delivery after a short corner with Karim Benzema was deflected home for an own-goal; a cruel end to the match for Nigeria, but a deserved stamp of authority for the diminutive Frenchman – impeccable.

#5 Dirk Kuyt - Netherlands

The former Liverpool player has always had an enviable work-rate that more than makes up for his lack of finesse at times, and it was his tenacity and resolve that really stood out during the week as the Oranje grabbed victory against Miguel Herrera’s Mexico.

In fact, it was his hard work that led to Wesley Sneijder’s equaliser. Winning it after a tussle with Miguel Layun out on the right. his continued application throughout a gruelling affair epitomised his heart and desire.

And although it was super-sub Klaas Jan Huntelaar that grabbed the all-important, decisive goal at the death, Kuyt exhibited the ability, at 35 years of age, no less, to put in a hard slog.