5 World Cup disappointments

Wouldn't it be nice if everything you expected to happen at the World Cup went to plan? That's definitely what a few nations and players are thinking right now while they watch the remaining games from the comfort of their own homes, or, more likely, in a villa at some exotic resort on their summer holiday.

Unpredictability is what makes the tournament so fascinating. Who could have foreseen a scenario where Costa Rica finished atop their group, coming within a penalty shootout from advancing to the semifinals?

Here's a look at the five disappointments at the World Cup:

1. Spain

Spain's poor performance and early exit from the World Cup will haunt the 2010 champions for years, as the team that brought its country so much joy during a six-year span went crashing out of the group stage with a paltry three points. A will to win and an ability to overcome deficits were traits this Spanish squad failed to display in their their opening two matches of the tournament. Their disheartening 5-1 drubbing against Holland appeared to have a lasting impact on the squad's mentality when they played their second match against Chile. A second loss, coupled with a Dutch win over Australia guaranteed elimination.

Their opponents' ability to counter the tiki-taka and an aging core led to their demise. The talent pool in Spain appears to be bottomless and the country should be able to rebound from the misery in Brazil to put together a strong tournament when the European Championships roll around.

2. Wayne Rooney

A goal and an assist might be enough to keep some players off a list like this, but not if you're English and your name is Wayne Rooney. Sure, he scored his first World Cup goal and set one up as well, but his disappearing act at times during England's group stage matches only added to his poor international reputation.

3. Portugal

After a season in which Cristiano Ronaldo performed like the world's best player with Real Madrid, most expected the Portuguese superstar to carry that success over to the World Cup. Instead, his elite talents proved ineffective and his teammates were incredibly poor. Eder shouldn't be at a World Cup. 

Portugal performed poorly from the start with their 4-0 beat-down at the hands of Germany and just barely captured a point against the United States with a last-minute goal, courtesy of a Ronaldo cross. CR7 didn't find the score sheet until the final match, but it was too little too late as the Portuguese were eliminated on goal differential, only scoring four and allowing seven.

4. Yaya Toure

The Ivory Coast have long been considered the African team with the most promising chance of going deep at a  World Cup. This year's tournament was no different despite the fact it would likely be the last tournament for the nation's golden generation.

Like Ronaldo, Yaya Toure experienced loads of success with his club, Manchester City, and was expected to anchor a team whose talents were beginning to fade. For whatever reason, Toure didn't look like the threat that tormented opponents throughout the Premier League. He looked uninspired and, most worrying, played like he was out of shape during the group stage matches, as he failed to threaten opposing defenders with the determined, ambitious runs that saw him excel during Manchester City's championship winning season.

5. Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli's carelessness in Italy's final game of the group stage put his side in a awkward position. Following his brash foul, when he flew through the air, leading with his knee and made contact with an opposing player's head, Balotelli was clearly letting out some frustration after the Uruguayan defense had played a tight, physical game against him.

His actions left manager Cesare Prandelli with no choice but to remove his erratic striker at halftime out of fear that Balotelli would eventually earn his second yellow and leave Italy down a man. It's that fear of the unknown that lands Balotelli on this list. He always seems to disappoint his teammates, coaches and supporters with his antics. Just when it looks like the young Italian appears to maturing and eliminating the negative parts of his game, all it takes it one act of aggression towards him to make him revert back to his old, tiresome ways.