• Spain’s forward Diego Costa, left, never looked comfortable as the focal point of the Spain attack as the defending champions were the first team to exit the tournament. AFP PHOTO / DANI POZO
    Spain’s forward Diego Costa, left, never looked comfortable as the focal point of the Spain attack as the defending champions were the first team to exit the tournament. AFP PHOTO / DANI POZO
  • Brazil defender Dani Alves left so much space down Brazil’s right flank that it was dubbed “Dani Alves Avenue” by local media. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari eventually lost patience and brought in Maicon to try and plug the gaping hole in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, but with no success. AFP PHOTO / VANDERLEI ALMEIDA
    Brazil defender Dani Alves left so much space down Brazil’s right flank that it was dubbed “Dani Alves Avenue” by local media. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari eventually lost patience and brought in Maicon to try and plug the gaping hole in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, but with no success. AFP PHOTO / VANDERLEI ALMEIDA
  • The World Cup seemed to be a bridge too far for Spainish defender Sergio Ramos after his exertions in helping Real Madrid win the Champions League. Sank without trace as Spain were utterly overrun and humiliated in their 5-1 defeat against the Netherlands, from which they never recovered. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
    The World Cup seemed to be a bridge too far for Spainish defender Sergio Ramos after his exertions in helping Real Madrid win the Champions League. Sank without trace as Spain were utterly overrun and humiliated in their 5-1 defeat against the Netherlands, from which they never recovered. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
  • Supposedly the pick of Belgium’s so-called “golden generation”, Eden Hazard performed one of the most impressive disappearing acts at the tournament. The low point was his utterly ineffective performance in the quarter-final defeat by Argentina which led him to being hauled off near the end. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir
    Supposedly the pick of Belgium’s so-called “golden generation”, Eden Hazard performed one of the most impressive disappearing acts at the tournament. The low point was his utterly ineffective performance in the quarter-final defeat by Argentina which led him to being hauled off near the end. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Sport

In pictures: Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Costa and Fred headline disappointing flops of World Cup 2014

Aaron Gray

July 14, 2014

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Gary Meenaghan was in Brazil for all of the World Cup 2014 action and picks the disappointing flops of the tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo