Player Focus: The Best of the Confederations Cup Group Stages

With the stage set for the last four of the Confederations Cup, it’s fair to say the tournament has lived up to the potential that many felt the World Cup dress rehearsal showed prior to the competition kicking off earlier this month. With the pressure off, teams have been able play an expansive, free flowing game, evidenced during Italy’s 4-3 win over Japan in Group A.

There are many players from the group stages that have impressed and, using WhoScored.com’s unique rating system, we have chosen the four top performers thus far in the Confederations Cup, with the quartet to impress requiring to have started at least two of the three group games.

Neymar (Brazil)

The world has certainly cast a watchful eye on Neymar, the Golden Boy of Brazilian football, during Brazil’s first competitive action in nearly two years. Much to the delight of A Seleção, the Barcelona striker has lived up to expectations in spectacular fashion, netting three of Brazil’s nine goals - two of which came outside of the box; no player has netted more from outside the penalty area - and helping himself to a further assist.

Such have been his performances this summer that the former Santos ace has acquired an average WhoScored.com rating of 8.27, the highest of every player to have started two or more Confederations Cup games. His immediate threat to the opposition was highlighted early on and it’s no surprise that no player has been fouled more times than Neymar (18) as teams aimed to limit his attacking impact. However, his inexperience of competitive football on the international stage is perhaps telling, with Neymar also committing the most fouls (14) of any player at the tournament.

The Barcelona striker has impressed regardless, with only Spain’s Andrés Iniesta (11) and Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel (10) completing more dribbles than Neymar (9), though both have had the advantage of facing Tahiti. On top of that, the striker is one of only three players to have scored from a free kick - Luis Suárez and Andrea Pirlo the other two - this tournament. While many may’ve tipped Neymar to fail during the competition, the striker has batted his doubters to one side and continues to live up to the expectations set before him.

Jordi Alba (Spain)

Neymar's future teammate, Jordi Alba, has emerged as one of the games finest left-backs following his debut campaign for the Blaugrana. Showcasing his talents in the 2012 European Championship, his opening goal in last year's final all but epitomised the 24-year-old and it’s no real surprise to see his average rating reach 8.19, the second highest of players with two or more starts during the competition.

His two goals - both coming in the 3-0 win over Nigeria - were both extremely well taken, as the left-back continues to show his capabilities going forwards in pursuit of a goal. This is perfectly encapsulated in that no player has broken to the byline and accurately pulled the ball back to a teammate more times than Alba (2) during the competition, while only four players with two or more starts - Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta and John Obi Mikel - have averaged more passes per game than Alba (80).

The Barcelona star has also made 2.5 key passes per game, the most of any defender, and wasn’t dribbled past at any point during the group stages, further accentuating his defensive capabilities, made all the more impressive considering how high up the pitch he generally takes up position. Furthermore, with Spain conceding an average of six shots per game, not to mention the world champions shipping just one goal over the three group games, Alba has played a predominant part in the most watertight defence at the tournament thus far.

Nnamdi Oduamadi (Nigeria)

While Nigeria exited the competition at the group stages following their 3-0 defeat to Spain, Nnamdi Oduamadi would have seen his stock rise having attained an average rating of 8.04 following his three goal haul during the 6-1 win over Tahiti. The AC Milan winger impressed for the Super Eagles and was a key member Stephen Keshi’s starting XI prior to his withdrawal from action during the 2-1 defeat to Uruguay as a result of injury.

His attacking input was missed after being sidelined, with Nigeria failing to score again in the tournament without Oduamadi. Furthermore, of every player with two or more starts, the 22-year-old attained the best pass success rate, completing 97.2% of his passes and averaging 2.5 key passes per game. The youngster also boasts an impressive touch per goal return, touching the ball 18.3 times for every goal scored; only three players - Jô (7), Abel Hernández (7) and Fernando Torres (10) - boast a more impressive return than the Nigerian, while the player also hit the back of the net with all three of his shots on target. 

In also making 1.5 crosses per game, his ability to create goalscoring opportunities has also seen the winger earn plaudits, reinforced by the fact that only one player - Walter Gargano (4) - created more clear cut chances than Oduamadi (2) during the group stages.

Walter Gargano (Uruguay)

Uruguay may have begun their Confederations Cup campaign with a defeat to Spain, but following successive victories over Nigeria and Tahiti, La Celeste will be looking to spring an upset in their semi-final encounter against Brazil in a repeat of the 1950 World Cup final. Inter Milan midfielder Walter Gargano missed the win over the Super Eagles, but the 28-year-old has successfully stepped into the starting XI when called upon.

During the group stages, Gargano created the most clear cut goalscoring opportunities (4) and it’s no surprise to see that he stands as one of only seven players with more than one assist. This is as a result of no player playing more accurate through balls (4) than the midfielder, with Gargano also averaging 2.5 key passes per game, leading to him attaining an average rating of 8.03.

It’s not just his creative exploits that have seen Gargano lauded during his time on the pitch. Only Yasuhito Endo (14) won possession in the midfield third of the pitch more times than the Uruguayan (11) during the group stages. The midfielder's 87.2% pass completion rate could perhaps be improved, but he’s still regarded as a vital member of the Uruguay team that will look to secure a place in the Confederations Cup final.