World Cup 2018 team of the tournament revealed
Russia 2018 World Cup had everything to do with excitement and intrigue which left the football world spellbound.
Yes, the competition has come and gone, but we cannot move on without taking a look back and picking the stand-out performers.
To this end, we have put together a team of players that light up the tournament, the biggest football event in the world.
Cutting down the best performers into a team of 11 was not a walk in the park as more than that number held us and many fans captive for one month.
But some players were at the zenith of ”exceptional” and therefore cemented their places on our team.
So if you don’t agree with our picks, kindly leave a comment on who you would select.
Here is our World Cup team of the tournament. What’s our formation? It is 4-3-3.
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
The 26-year-old shot stopper was Belgium’s guardian angel at the back. He was hugely instrumental to his country’s fascinating run in Russia.
The Chelsea goalie had three clean sheets. And when things looked difficult for the Red Devils, Courtois rose to the occasion. The game against Brazil comes to mind here.
France’s Hugo Lloris also performed greatly for the champions. But Courtois was flawless all through the competition. Lloris was not, considering the final game against Croatia.
Right back: Kieran Trippier
We were spoilt for choice here as many players in this position caught our fancy. Two of them particularly gave us a lot to think about.
Benjamin Pavard was brilliant for the Le Bleus. Don’t forget that long-range stunner against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. That was remarkable.
Pavard also played his part in helping France keep three clean sheets. But we opted for Kietran Trippier, who was incredibly amazing for the Three Lions.
His runs caused all sorts of problems for opponents. And for a defender, his pinpoint crosses and set pieces did not go unnoticed. Trippier created 24 chances. Many English fans won’t forgive us if we did not mention his brilliant free-kick goal against Croatia in the semis.
Centre back: Raphael Varane
We could not have overlooked a player who has won 16 trophies, and has played in 10 one-off finals with Real Madrid and France, winning them all. And come to think of it, he is just 25 years old.
With Varane at the back, a solid defender, France had four clean sheets. He was also a threat going forward. We saw a powerful header from him that found the net against a watertight Uruguay defence.
Centre back: Yerry Mina
We were tempted to pick Samuel Umtiti or Dejan Lovren, but Mina kept two clean sheets and scored three headed goals, including that late leveller against England in the last eight.
Left back: Lucas Hernandez
Atletico Madrid’s Lucas Hernandez made 18 clearances, four interceptions and had two assists. France, indeed, felt his positive impact at the back. And if you are among those still wondering what made the French team thick, kindly look at their defence, among other positions. You should see a rock in human form.
Left attacking midfield: Philippe Coutinho
Brazil may have performed below par in Russia, as they failed to progress beyond the last eight, but the Barcelona midfielder made a mark for himself by scoring two brilliant goals as well as providing two assists.
Centre midfield: Luka Modric
Our team without Luka Modric could have got us arrested. The Real Madrid midfielder was the oxygen for his country, Croatia. He took charge of the middle and made his presence felt in almost every game he played.
The 32-year-old, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid this year, had an 87.2 per cent pass success rate, with 18 key passes including one assist, and scored two goals.
Attacking midfield (right): Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne was expected to sparkle in Russia and so he did by carrying out the duties of an attacking midfielder, making 23 key passes, including two assists.
He may have scored only one goal, but it was crucial to Belgium’s defeat of favourites Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Right forward: Kylian Mbappe
Making his World Cup debut, Mbappe outperformed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by scoring four goals at 19 years old as France emerged champions.
We observed how he ran defences ragged in Vladimir Putin’s country with his electric pace and lethal finishing.
Centre forward: Harry Kane
The Golden Boot winner deserves a place in our squad for scoring more than any other player in Russia.
Kane found the net six times in seven games, including a hat-trick against Panama, taking his overall tally to 19 goals from 30 caps.
Left forward: Eden Hazard
The Belgium skipper was impressively dominant with three goals and two assists. Real Madrid need not think twice about bringing the 27-year-old over to the Spanish capital.
Credit: Concise News
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