In every sum up of the group stage we learn how many goals were scored. So at the page about goalkeepers it should be about saves. In 48 matches 302 saves was made in total. It means 6,3 saves per every match.
Most saves overall
Both Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria and Ri Myong-Guk of North Korea made 21 saves in their three games. Sadly their teams finished World Cup on the group stage.
Thomas Sorensen of Denmark is second with 16 saves. Mark Schwarzer (Australia), Alexandros Tzorvas (Greece), Samir Handanovic (Slovakia) and Diego Benaglio (Switzerland) made 13 saves each which place all of them on the third place.
Most conceded goals overall
The stats are merciless. Ri Myong-Guk of North Korea allowed 12 goals. Actually most of them should be put on his teammates account.
The last line of defence - best saves in a match
M'Bohli in US - Algeria. He made 9 saves and was on the best way to keep that 0:0 result. Unfortunately for him, in 91' his own defender found himself on his way and he let the ball out of his hands. Donovan used the opportunity and scored a goal which guaranteed US team a place in the 1/8 final.
The best save of a penalty
Vladimir Stojkovic in Serbia - Germany match. Priceless.
Most clean sheets
Only two goalkeepers managed to keep 3 clean sheets. Eduardo of Portugal (10 saves made) and Fernando Muslera of Uruguay (7 saves).
The best defence
Something should be put here. But I've seen so many great saves that I can't choose one!
A goal allowed in the most awkward way
Spain - Switzerland. I'm not sure what Iker Casillas intended to do in that situation. Perhaps he even himself doesn't know.
It could be a brilliant save...
But it was not. Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo raced out of his area to stop Fernando Torres. He cleared the ball but it went straight to the feet of David Villa who shot it into the empty net from the distance.
Most effort put in the match but it gave nothing
Vincent Enyeama in Nigeria - Greece match performed brilliant saves, 9 in total. But all this effort was wasted when he bounced the ball away straight to the opponent's feet.
The most dissapointing performance
Frederico Marchetti. Marchetti replaced in the goal injured Buffon. It might be his chance but he wasn't able to help his team. Made only 1 save and allowed 4 goals. Would Buffon save it? Maybe yes, maybe no. The whole team played bad, defenders were horrible, but one might expect more from the Italy's goalkeeper.
The most lucky save
Diego Benaglio in Spain - Switzerland performed some decent saves but his the most stunning was made with left knee.
The best redemption
Villar in Paraguay - Italy match did misjudge the corner and that gave Italy an equalizer. However, in the second half he performed good saves and helped to keep 1:1 draw.
The scariest moment
Heskey clashing with US goalkeeper Tim Howard in US - England match. It looked horrible and Howard was not getting up for so long time I thought he might be seriously injuried. Fortunately he wasn't.
The most commited to signing the anthem
Eduardo (Portugal).
Best look of doom
Tim Howard (US).
The most funny story
Julio Cesar (Brazil) complaining about being cold. A bit riddiculus is the fact that a piece of news about him buying some warm clothes in the market before the match with Ivory Coast became one of the top stories on some sport pages.
The most lovely scene
Eduardo (Portugal) and Julio Cesar (Brazil) congratulating themselves after Portugal - Brazil match. A goalless draw was enough to ensure both teams a place in the second round.
The saddest expression
Iker Casillas after conceding a goal in Spain - Switzerland match.
The most surprised expression
Khune after being showed a red card (South Africa - Uruguay).
The most unlucky goalkeeper
Rober Green. US - England. A fatal blunder. No more explanations needed.
The most unexpected return
David James was suppoused to be only a back up goalkeeper while Robert Green was England's first choice. But after you-know-what Green lost his position James is again in the goal. Aged 39, he is the oldest goalkeeper in the tournament. So far he kept clean sheet and made 4 saves in his two games.
The most awkward moment
The fly in the net (Slovakia's goalkeeper surname "mucha" means "a fly"). Jan Mucha found himself in a dangerous situation in Italy - Slovakia match, when two angry Italians literally attacked him just after Italy scored its first goal. Fabio Quagliarella apparently was faking that Mucha did hit him in the face. Actually he did touch him but I would call this a self-defence. Nevertheless he was lucky that it did finish only on getting a yellow card.
The goalkeeper who did fine although his team didn't made through
Mark Paston of New Zealand. Good performance. 9 saves made. 2 goals allowed but one was from an offside...
It shouldn't be like that...
The World Cup finished for Buffon too quickly. The returing spine injury makes his future uncertain, both in the national team and in Juve. Devastating thought that he might never come back on the pitch.
The goalkeeper who you should pity
Ri Myong-Guk (North Korea). As well as the rest of the team. It doesn't need any explanations if you are aware of political situation in the country.
Well, the goalkeepers can't feel safe because I'm going to do another summary like this after the second round.
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