What's up at the World Cup so far

WE are at the halfway mark of a quite enthralling World Cup in Brazil. All 48 group games have been completed, and the tournament is now in the crucial knockout stage. For the 16 nations still standing, there is no more room for error. The deal is simple - lose, and you're on the next plane home. There will not be any draws as all matches must produce a winner, be it in extra time or via the lottery of the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

It wasn't an easy task, but we've picked out the standout performers and talking points of the 2014 Fifa World Cup so far. This list will invariably change by the end of the tournament on July 13, but it's safe to say that these teams and players have left an indelible mark - good or bad - on The Beautiful Game.

Best team - The Netherlands