Centre back: Ryan Nelsen (New Zealand)
So which of the following sides ended the World Cup unbeaten: Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Spain and New Zealand? Were the question posed five weeks ago, the answers may have been split between the first four. As it is, the All Whites drew with the reigning champions, acquitted themselves terrifically and exited without defeat. A reason for each of those achievements was Ryan Nelsen, who defended defiantly and, against Italy, heroically. Before the tournament, it would have seemed surreal to suggest Nelsen would pip Lucio to a place in a team of the tournament. He has.
