Following what can only be described as one of the greatest penalty shoot-outs in recent memory, Jesús Navas’ effort from 12 yards confirmed Spain’s place in the Confederations Cup final after Leonardo Bonucci blazed his effort over the bar. The win will see La Roja come up against tournament hosts Brazil after Paulinho’s late headed winner saw the South American side secure a 2-1 win over rivals Uruguay.
As football fans salivate at the prospect of the two heavyweights of the game meeting at the Maracanã on Sunday night, WhoScored.com have taken the opportunity to determine a starting XI consisting of the highest rated players from either side from the tournament thus far, with each performer having made two or more starts in the competition.
Goalkeeper
Julio César may have conceded 37 goals for the Queen’s Park Rangers last season, but the 33-year-old has been an ever present for A Seleção this summer and shipped just three goals in four games, saving a Diego Forlán penalty in the semi final encounter between Brazil and Uruguay. Attaining an average rating of 7.02 - higher than that of expected Spain starter Iker Casillas (6.72) - César has played 16 accurate goalkeeper throws, only Gianluigi Buffon (29) played more, highlighting his ability to instigate quick counter attacking moves, while further noting his eagerness to see Brazil play with the ball on the floor.
Defence
Real Madrid full-back Álvaro Arbeloa is the first in an all Spanish back four, having seen his average rating reach 7.29. The former Liverpool man has provided a sturdy influence to the Spain defence, while aiming to press forward at any given occasion, evidenced in his 1.3 dribbles per game. Yet, it’s his defensive contribution that has seen him prevail, with no player blocking more crosses than Arbeloa (3) over the course of the tournament, not to mention the 30-year-old making 3 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game thus far.
The first of the two man centre-back pairing is Barcelona colossus Gerard Piqué, with the defender - like Arbeloa - starting three of Spain’s four games in Brazil. With head coach Vicente Del Bosque favouring a possession based game, the defender has a pass success rate of 95.1% - the highest of any defender with two or more starts – attempting an average of 60.7 passes per game. Conceding just two fouls in 300 minutes of football will also have aided in seeing the centre-back garner an average rating of 7.06.
Partnering Piqué is Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, with the 27-year-old amassing an impressive average rating of 7.31 from his four starts in Brazil. His defensive ability is rarely called into doubt and deservedly so, with Ramos winning possession in the defensive third an impressive 17 times in the Confederations Cup; the most of any player. Not only that, but his passing ability has seen him impress, with the defender also playing the most accurate passes in his own half of the pitch (165). Meanwhile, his heading ability has proven a strong part of his game, with Ramos winning an average of 2.5 aerial duels per game.
Making up an all-Spanish backline is Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba. The Spaniard has netted twice during the tournament - the most of any defender – while forming a defence that has conceded just once in the competition (the 2-1 Group B win over Uruguay), not to mention the world champions conceding just 8.3 shots per game - a Confederations Cup low. For a player operating in the back four, the fact that Alba has made 2.7 key passes per game is a testament to his attacking abilities and it’s no surprise to see his average rating reach 7.88.
Holding Midfield
The lynchpin for both Barcelona and Spain, Xavi has again been at his creative best for La Roja in Brazil, securing an average WhoScored.com rating of 7.47. While many had tipped the European giants to falter in the humidity of the South American nation, Xavi has put his experience and playing ability to good use, with no player playing more key passes (9) than the experienced midfielder. Meanwhile, the 33-year-old has also made the most accurate crosses (8) in the Confederations Cup, not to mention the Blaugrana midfielder averaging 109 passes per game; the highest figure in the competition.
Alongside Xavi in the double pivot is Brazil star Paulinho. The midfielder - a supposed target for Tottenham Hotspur - proved his worth with the winning goal in the 2-1 semi final win over Uruguay. The Corinthians man has attained an average rating of 7.74 over the Confederations Cup, with only Neymar (8.07) garnering a higher score for Brazil. The 24-year-old has consistently showcased his talents for the hosts this summer, proving a crucial member of the starting XI on their path to the Maracanã, averaging 3 tackles per games while ending his three appearances with a pass success rate of 85.6%.
Attacking Midfield
With the amount of competition for starting places in the Spain attack, David Silva’s inclusion following only two Confederations Cup starts and a substitute appearance is a testament to the Manchester City midfielder’s attacking capability and his average rating of 7.52 is just reward for his impressive performances this summer. Silva has been his usual creative self during his time on the pitch, making one key pass per game and helping himself to an assist, not to mention his two goals scored. The Spaniard has also averaged 1 through ball per game and 1.3 accurate long balls, aiding Spain in their path to the final.
Lining up behind the striker is Barcelona star man Andrés Iniesta following his impressive performances in the Spain midfield on their route to the Maracanã. The 29-year-old may have failed to net throughout the competition, but his one assist and pass accuracy of 92.2% has seen his average rating rise to 7.67. Iniesta (3) has seen only Walter Gargano (4) of Uruguay create more clear cut goalscoring opportunities throughout the competition, while playing the most accurate passes (321) and completing the most dribbles (15) at the Confederations Cup so far, signifying his expansive creative capabilities and importance to the Spain starting XI.
On the left flank is Brazil golden boy Neymar. The striker is one of only eight players to have helped himself to two assists in the competition and he’s expected to add to that in Sunday’s final. Amassing an impressive average rating of 8.07 - the highest in the combined XI - will have left Barcelona fans salivating at the prospect of the striker finally making his debut for the Blaugrana in August, especially when you consider the three goals he's scored. Neymar is also the most fouled player (26) in the tournament, highlighting his attacking threat to the opposition, while only Giovani Dos Santos (8) has won more corners than the 21-year-old (7) this summer.
Forward
While the striker may have been the butt of jokes with football fans in recent months, Fernando Torres has impressed during the Confederations Cup, garnering an average rating of 7.81. The top scorer at the tournament (5), the Chelsea frontman has scored two of those from counter-attacking moves - the most in the competition - while only Abel Hernández (8) and Neymar (7) have had more shots on target (6). Torres has seen his pass success rate reach 85.7% as he aims to bring his teammates into play as well as provide the goalscoring touch for Vicente Del Bosque’s side.
