Ahmed Musa, Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic and former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano lit up World Cup group F.
1. Asmir Begovic
Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic is the first of our trio of stars from Group F, after a fine World Cup in which the Bosnian did his reputation no harm at all, despite his side’s group-stage exit.
| Team | Pos | Saves | Accurate Goal Kicks | Saved Outside Box | Good High Claims | Apps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asmir Begovic | Bosnia and Herzegovina | GK | 10 | 15 | 7 | 9 | 3 |
As Opta stats show, the 27-year-old was kept busy in Brazil, making 10 saves, seven of them from shots outside the box. Begovic’s distribution was clean, too, while he also made several solid claims from crosses and corners.
Begovic was on particularly good form against Nigeria, where he was unlucky to be beaten by Stoke team-mate Peter Odemwingie at his near-post. Expect more good form from the Bosnian next season.
2. Ahmed Musa
No African nation had ever scored more than once against Argentina before this World Cup. Then, Ahmed Musa came along and scored twice all by himself.
Indeed, a star may have been born this summer in Brazil – one of many – in the 21-year-old, who looks to have many promising years ahead of him both for Nigeria and at club level.
| Team | Pos | Goals | Touches | Dribbles Won | Accurate Crosses | Apps | Mins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmed Musa | Nigeria | FW | 2 | 93 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 245 |
In three appearances in Group F, Musa scored twice, won three dribbles and also contributed out wide with two accurate crosses. Will the young striker find the target again when Nigeria face France in the last-16?
3. Javier Mascherano
An obvious choice from Argentina would be Lionel Messi, so let’s consider that cheating and look elsewhere.
Former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is the first port of call.
| Team | Pos | Interception Won | Touches | Accurate Pass | Won Tackle | Apps | Mins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javier Mascherano | Argentina | MF | 7 | 324 | 262 | 13 | 3 | 270 |
The 30-year-old proved a defensive rock for his side, winning seven interceptions and 13 tackles. But more impressive were Mascherano’s incredibly 324 touches and 262 accurate passes for Argentina.
The ex-Red was an ever-present for his side and it is no surprise why. Argentina’s midfield hub, Mascherano may be his side’s most important player going forward from here…. apart from Messi, of course.
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