Team of the 2010 World Cup

By Dominic Brock

We've put our heads together at BigPond Sport and named our best XI of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Here it is.

Goalkeeper: Eduardo (Portugal)

Largely unknown before the tournament began, Portugal shot-stopper Eduardo was handed the daunting task of stopping the likes of Didier Drogba, Kaka, Luis Fabiano, Fernando Torres and David Villa – and he passed with flying colours. Eduardo made a string of brilliant saves and did very little wrong as he helped keep Brazil and the Ivory Coast scoreless, conceding just a single goal in the tournament to Spain superstar David Villa (and even then Eduardo had blocked Villa's first attempt).

Right back: Maicon (Brazil)

Maicon has been consistently selected ahead of Barcelona star Daniel Alves as Brazil's preferred right back, and he showed why in South Africa. A terrific defender – more than can be said of Alves – Maicon is also a constant threat down the right flank in attack. Scored a goal from an incredible angle in Brazil's opener against North Korea and regularly troubled defenders all tournament.

Centre back: Lucio (Brazil)

Surely the classiest centre back in world football, Inter Milan's Lucio combined a superb defensive game with great distribution from the back – as well as the desire, and ability, to go forward. A towering presence at the back, the Brazil captain tended to win all his individual battles.

Centre back: Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal)

Fans of Carvalho often argue he is the player that makes his Chelsea defensive partner John Terry look world class at club level, and the performances of both players at this World Cup may have confirmed it. While Terry floundered against Germany, Carvalho proved a cool head against the likes of Drogba, Fabiano and Torres, making several key interceptions and seemingly always being in the right position. Portugal had the best defensive record in the tournament, despite playing in the so-called "Group of Death".

Left back: Philipp Lahm (Germany)

The German stand-in captain played on the right side of defence for his team but is equally comfortable on the left (so yes, we have cheated here a little). Lahm was flawless in defence, making a few vital interceptions at crucial times, and was a constant threat from the wing. His cross created Germany's first goal of the tournament – against Australia – beginning the first of three four-goal routs for the Germans.

Centre midfield: Bastion Schweinsteiger (Germany)

The former winger was brilliant in the heart of midfield for Germany, acting as the main distributer in attack for what became an incredible counter-attacking team. A solid presence in defence, Schweinsteiger's vision and passing game was a key to Germany's lightning-fast attacks. A man-of-the-match performance in a 4-0 win over the previously excellent Argentina was his crowning glory of the tournament.

Centre midfield: Xavi (Spain)

When it comes to controlling possession, nobody does it better than the Spaniards. And for Spain, nobody does it better than Xavi. The go-to man at the heart of a brilliant Spanish midfield, Xavi's technique and eye for a pass was a big reason for his team's dominant performance against Germany in the semi-final. Was also involved in a couple of goals – with a classy flick for David Villa's winner against Portugal a highlight – and rarely put a foot wrong in attack or defence.

Attacking midfielder: Mesut Ozil (Germany)

Ozil has become one of the most talked about players in the world after his exploits for Germany. The 21-year-old wunderkid has thrived in the hole betweenmidfield and attack, tearing defences to pieces – particularly against England and Australia. Produced sharp passing, brilliant dribbling runs, a terrific long-range goal against Ghana and a superb cross for Klose against Argentina. A move to one of Europe's big clubs looms.

Attacking midfielder: Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)

Since being let go by Real Madrid a season ago, Sneijder has proved a resounding success, guiding Inter Milan to the treble in Italy before starring in the Netherlands' run to the World Cup final. Going into the final, Sneijder is the tournament's equal top-scorer with five goals from six games. His passing game and delivery from set pieces makes him the most important player in the Dutch squad, and Manchester United is now eyeing the 26-year-old as a long-term replacement for the Paul Scholes.

Attacking midfielder: Diego Forlan (Uruguay)

Forlan has developed from a natural goalscorer into a truly world class playmaker, with his combination with Luis Suarez carrying international lightweights Uruguay all the way to the World Cup semi-finals. Produced a few stunning long-range strikes as well as great delivery to Suarez, and threatened to get his team over the line on his own against the Dutch in the semi-final.

Striker: David Villa (Spain)

The new Barcelona signing has staked his claim as the best striker on the planet, and few would argue if he goes on to win Spain its first World Cup. Stationed out wide on the left in the early part of the tournament to make way for Fernando Torres in the middle, Villa's renowned finishing skills saw him score five goals in six games before the final. When Spain struggled to convert its weight of possession into goals, it turned to Villa. And Villa delivered.

Substitute bench: Diego Benaglio (goalkeeper, Switzerland); Gerard Pique (defender, Spain); Andres Iniesta (midfielder, Spain); Thomas Muller (attacker, Germany); Arjen Robben (winger, Netherlands); Lionel Messi (winger/attacking midfielder, Argentina); Gonzalo Higuain (striker, Argentina).

Coach: Joachim Low (Germany)

Even with Germany's reputation as World Cup overachievers, few predicted the country would make much of an impact in South Africa 2010. Their captain, Michael Ballack, was out injured, their young players lacked experience, and their coach was keeping faith with two goalscorers – Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski – who had struggled all season at club level.

How Low has proved his critics wrong. Klose and Podolski both got the job done, scoring six goals between them in the lead up to the World Cup final, while Germany's youngsters dazzled the world with comprehensive routs of big guns England and Argentina. Low's team was the perfect prototype for modern football: rock-solid defence, fast counter-attacks, and calm, efficient finishing. Eventually falling to the brilliance of Spain's passing game, Germany nonetheless proved the highlight of the World Cup for most neutral fans.