With only two more games to go in the 2014 World Cup, we are left with a slew of great memories and moments from one of the most entertaining editions of the tournament ever played. We have had fantastic goals, very unexpected scorelines, Cinderella stories, great goalkeeping displays and some wild moments from international managers. Here, we take a look back at some of the finer moments and offer some insight into what the players at that particular moment were wearing on their feet.
This is our FIFA Gallery: Rounding Up the Cleats Worn for the Best Moments So Far.
Bryan Byrne is the founder of SoccerCleats101. Got a question about boots? Hit up Bryan on Twitter.
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No. 10 - Messi Injury Time Winner vs Iran
It was a game where Argentina were supposed to wrack up the numbers and take their goal scoring boots into action. Yet it was Iran who looked more likely to score during the 90 minutes. Then there is injury time, and Lionel Messi is not a player you want on the ball with the game ticking over. Taking the opportunity to make a yard of space outside the box, the playmaker curled a beautiful shot into the top corner and led Argentina to a very important win.
When it comes to boots, Messi has consistently got his own custom pairs over the past few years. In Brazil, adidas offered Messi a custom version of the adiZero F50. His boots featured a slightly different upper to the regular version and a blue stripe right through the center of the boot. During the tournament, adidas also created a custom multi-colored Birthday edition of the boot for Messi. He wore them in a single training session before retiring them to his own personal boot collection, never to be seen in a game again!
No. 9 - John Brooks Header vs Ghana
With only 30 seconds on the clock, Clint Dempsey gave the US a dream lead vs Ghana in their group G clash. But from there, Ghana got back into the game and looked like they were going to take all 3 points. Then up stepped the most unlikely hero, a player that was not supposed to make the spotlight in a positive way - John Brooks. Brooks came of the bench at haltime and put in a solid display before heading home a dramatic winner in the 86th minute.
The Hertha BSC defender is another player who has chosen one of the top comfort boots on the market, the Nike Tiempo Legend V. Built on the ideals of comfort and control, the current Tiempo legend series has become a key boot for defenders a goalkeepers. They offer the ideal platform for players to play their game in a no-nonsense manner, taking the worry out of whats on your feet!
No. 8 - James Rodriguez Volley vs Uruguay
Another one of the goals we will see for years to come as we look back at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. In a game that needed a spark, Rodriguez was smart enough to quickly glance over his shoulder to check his position as well as that of Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera. He then cushioning a header on to his chest before striking a stunning 25-yard left-foot volley in off the bar.
On his feet, the Colombian has been wearing the adidas adiZero F50 and during the tournament he became a key figure in the Three-Stripe advertising campaigns. It is a boot that makes complete sense for him to wear, as the lightweight speed boot allow him to move at speed with the ball.
No. 7 - Tim Krul Becomes PK Hero
It takes big balls to sub your goalkeeper in the 119th minute, right before your team takes to penalties in a World Cup knockout game. But that is exactly what Netherlands coach Luis Van Gaal did in their Quarter Final clash with Costa Rico. Newcastle United keeper Tim Krul was the man to head onto the pitch as Jasper Cillessen subbed out. It was a move that Cillessen wasn't aware would happen, but Krul proved his worth by crucially saving 2 of the spot-kicks.
On his hands, Krul wears the Nike Vapor Grip 3, while on his feet he is another one to choose the Nike Tiempo legend V. They are a boot widely worn by keepers, with the comfort/control boot providing a solid platform for keepers to take advantage of through play, especially as they make quick movements.
No. 6 - Germany Score 7; Klose Breaks the Record
It was a case of disbelief during the first half of the Germany vs Brazil semi- final, as the visitors put it a performance for the ages and absolutely broke Brazilian hearts. Even as slight favorites, it was supposed to be a game in which Brazil came of age in front of their own fans. Yet, they found themselves 5-0 down at half-time and the game at that time was over as a contest. Germany ended up adding an extra 2 in the second half, with the game finishing 7-1.
To rub salt into the wounds, Miroslav Klose grabbed one of the goals and in the process he passed Ronaldo as the top all time World Cup goalscorer. Klose has worn adidas Predator Mania (2002), adidas World Cup (2006), Nike T90 Laser III (2010) and this time around the Nike Hypervenom Phantom as he reached his 16 goal tally. His current choice is a boot that doesn't quite suit his playing style, or at least that is the case from the outside. But the 36 year old has made the most of the agility focused boot, scoring 2 goals at the 2014 tournament.
No. 5 - That Tim Howard Performance vs Belgium
The US were well beaten by Belgium and the loss that sent them packing from Brazil could have been a lot worse. That is, if Tim Howard hadn't been on the pitch. It was a performance of the ages, as Howard pulled off 16 saves during the game, the most by a goalkeeper in a World Cup game since 1966.
As a keeper, there are 2 equipment components for keepers; boots and their gloves. On his hands, he wears the Nike GK Confidence, a glove designed with pre-curved bio-align technology offering natural hand position. Then there are his boots, for which he chooses a boot designed with comfort and control in mind - the Nike Tiempo Legend V.
No. 4 - David Luiz Consoles James Rodriguez
It was one of the best sportmanship moments of the tournament, as David Luiz too the opportunity to console an opposite player instead of celebrating his teams important victory. In a simple act, the PSG man swapped shirts with the distraught Rodriguez before reminding him of how well he played during the tournament. With 6 goals to his name, Rodriguez is on course to win the Golden Boot.
On his feet, the Colombian has been wearing the adidas adiZero F50 and during the tournament he became a key figure in the Three-Stripe advertising campaigns. It is a boot that makes complete sense for him to wear, as the lightweight speed boot allow him to move at speed with the ball. Luiz, on the other hand, is a key Nike player and one of a select who have been wearing the high profile Nike Magista Obra. In fact, his use of the boot gives us some understanding of who they are geared towards. Luiz has no fear attacking, but he is responsible for controlling the game just on front of his own back line.
No. 3 - Miguel Herrera's Wild Celebrations
Mexico beat Croatia 3-1 in their final group game to qualify behind Brazil, with goals from Marquez, Guardado and Hernandez securing dramatic progress to the knockout phase. The goals were top notch, but it was the reaction of Mexico manager, Miguel Herrera, that had fans all around the world talking about the game. His wild celebration after the Guardado goal was where he really lost his nut. Jumping up and down, he ended up on the ground under some Mexico players as he shared his emotions in the biggest possible way.
Since we can't tell which brand of shoe Herrera was wearing, we wanted to focus on those worn by the player responsible for the wild scenes - Andrés Guardado. The left winger was wearing adidas Predator Instinct as he slotted the ball home from short range. It is unusual to see a winger choose a Control/Power hybrid but in this instance he was justified wearing the boot that features several lethal zones.
No. 2 - Tim Cahill Super Volley
With Holland 1-0 up and seemingly in the drivers seat vs Netherlands, Tim Cahill produced a spectacular finish to send Aussie fans into dreamland. A long ball over the top of the defense was expertly met by Cahill just inside the area. He struck it full volley and the battle rattled the underside of the crossbar before settling in the net.
Cahill is one of only a select few players that wore Warrior boots at the World Cup. He chose the speed focused Warrior Superheat, with the American brand offering him a custom Gold colorway. On its own, this colorway looks pretty sick but when you put it on the feet of a player that scores a goal like this it brings them to a while new level!
No. 1 - Robin Van Persie Header
Netherlands and Spain went head to head in their first group match, and it turned out to be an incredible spectacle of soccer. Nobody anticipated the 5-1 drubbing the Netherlands handed out to reigning champions Spain, and it was Robin van Persie who kicked them into gear with a fantastic Flying Dutchmen attempt that won't be forgot anytime soon!
A long ball from the half way line was met by a superman attempt from RVP, as he perfectly timed a lopping finish over the stranded Iker Casillas. Even though it was his head the finished of the goal, he was wearing a pair of adidas adiZero F50, which are actually customized with an older model soleplate that he prefers to wear!
