Liverpool target Xherdan Shaqiri, Newcastle target Enner Valencia and Blaise Matuidi stood out most in World Cup Group E.
1. Xherdan Shaqiri
Our first star is a name Liverpool fans will be getting increasingly used to. Linked with the club this summer, the 22-year-old’s World Cup performances have drawn extra attention to his transfer status.
And though it was another Reds target, Mathieu Valbuena, who initially impressed in Group E, Shaqiri’s hat-trick against Honduras yesterday stole the show.
| Team | Goals | Touches | Dribbles Won | Accurate Crosses | Apps | Mins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xherdan Shaqiri | Switzerland | 3 | 184 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 267 |
Indeed, with three goals now to his name after the group stages, Shaqiri has made himself a surprise Golden Boot contender and, if Switzerland can get pass Argentina in the last-16, there is no reason the 22-year-old cannot go on to achieve the feat.
The Bayern Munich man also won three dribbles in Group E, made four accurate crosses and took 184 touches – a pretty successful three games.
2. Enner Valencia
Enner Valencia won’t be staying in Brazil past the group stages – but the 24-year-old has made enough of an impact to be remembered at this year’s World Cup.
In three group games, Valencia scored three times (from only eight shots) and won seven dribbles, as well as seven aerial duels.
| Team | Goals | Shots | Dribbles Won | Aerial Duels Won | Apps | Mins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enner Valencia | Ecuador | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 270 |
The Ecuadorian could not quite inspire his side to victory against France yesterday, although he was not helped by Antonio Valencia’s sending off, but proved a match-winner against Honduras and also scored against Switzerland.
In fact, Valencia was the only man to score for Ecuador and has been linked with a move to Tottenham, Everton and Newcastle post-World Cup. Perhaps the early exit will give him time to finalise a deal sooner.
3. Blaise Matuidi
Although you could pick any Frenchman from Group E after three games unbeaten and two terrific opening wins, it’s Blaise Matuidi that makes this list based on a consistent contribution in midfield for Didier Deschamps’ men.
| Pos | Goals | Assists | Dribbles Won | Accurate Crosses | Accurate Passes | Apps | Mins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karim Benzema | FW | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 78 | 3 | 270 |
| Olivier Giroud | FW | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 98 |
| Blaise Matuidi | MF | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 154 | 3 | 247 |
| Moussa Sissoko | MF | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 76 | 3 | 213 |
| Mathieu Valbuena | MF | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 82 | 2 | 160 |
As the stats show, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder featured in every Group E game for the French and won five dribbles. The most impressive aspect of the 27-year-old’s game, though, was his passing, with Matuidi easily making the most accurate passes in the France team.
His goal against Switzerland, too, was a moment to remember, with a crisp finish doubling his side’s lead just 13 seconds after Olivier Giroud’s opener. France went on to win that game 5-2 and now face Nigeria in the last-16.
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