FIFA World Cup 2014 Quarterfinals: Top 5 Flops

The quarter finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup proved to be very nervy encounters with all the matches having a close finale. All the matches did have moments of brilliance, goals andcontroversies that werea treat to fans worldwide.In such close matches the top players generally leave their mark with a piece of magic that is the difference between the two teams.However, there are also players who flop on such big occasions. The pressure and the dream of winning the World cup tends to become a nightmare for players who are expected to produce a match winning performance. There were quite few players who failed to live up to their expectations in the quarter finals. Its not only the players but even the officials who are capable of blunders at this stage.We look at such players andofficialswho flopped at the quarter finals.Disclaimer: This list is in no particular order and is the opinion of the writer, and isin no wayendorsed by Sportskeeda.

#5 Bryan Ruiz

One of the most endearing stories of this World Cup has been the journey of Costa Rica.  This wouldn’t have been possible without some stellar performances by the team but a certain Bryan Ruiz has been instrumental in leading them till the quarter finals.

He has been excellent on the right side of the midfield running up and down the flank with a muscular application which was missing for his club. He has truly been threatening whenever Costa Rica have attacked, forging a devastating partnership with Joel Campbell that took them past the group of death.

Having scored 2 goals and also created plenty for the side, Ruiz was the center of attention in the much anticipated quarter final clash.

However, against Netherlands he was neither given the space nor the room to counter attack which hampered his side’s progress when going forward. The safety first approach adopted by Los Ticos also didn’t help his game as more often than not he was left isolate.

For his brilliance in the other games it was just a performance that might well count as a disappointment in an otherwise successful campaign.