The 2018 Fifa World Cup drew to a close on Sunday night with France beating Croatia in the final in Moscow. As with all tournaments, there were some good games and some bad games but most were intense, highly watchable and enjoyable.
The #JoyWorldCup team have rated every single performance in Russia and can now present our official best team of the tournament.
Formation 3-5-2
GOALKEEPER
Hugo Lloris (France) - Lloris, captain of the victorious French team, was a force to reckon with. He may have made a disastrous mistake in the final but that didn't overshadow his big saves against Uruguay and Belgium. He was a major reason made it to the final and eventually won it. His three clean sheets and a save success rate of 73.3%. Lloris beats off competition from Thibaut Courtois, Danijel Subasic and Jordan Pickford to be in Joy Sports list although he missed out on Fifa's goalkeeper of the tournament to Courtois.
CENTRAL DEFENDERS
Raphael Varane (France) - Varane’s selfless defending throughout the tournament was a delight to watch. With 39 clearances, four blocks, four interceptions, a 100% tackle success rate, a pass success rate of 88.6% as well as a goal to his name prior to the final, Varane’s confirmed his place in the tournament’s best 11 before he produced another impressive performance to lift the cup.
Harry Maguire (England) - One of the tournament’s surprise packages, Maguire was indispensable in England’s 4th place finish. His calmness on the ball and innate ability to move the ball forward were just awesome to watch anytime England played. With 18 clearances, five blocks, four interceptions, a 75.9% aerial duel success rate, a pass success rate of 88.8% as well as a goal to his name, Maguire was outstanding.
Domagoj Vida‘ (Croatia) - Auntie Vida’ was a vital cog in Croatia’s well-oiled machinery. With 31 clearances, four blocks, 10 interceptions, a pass success rate of 83.1% as well as a goal to his name so far, Vida has been immense and deserves his place in the team of the tournament.
WING BACKS
Benjamin Pavard (France) - It was extremely difficult deciding between Pavard, Kieran Trippier(England) and Sime Vrsaljko(Croatia) but there had to be a winner. After careful scrutiny, Pavard made it to the team because of his relative lack of ‘big tournament’ exposure and to rise to the occasion in the world cup. With 17 clearances, 6 interceptions, a pass success rate of 83.1%, a tackle success rate of 80% as well as 10 open play crosses, Pavard has been great. We cannot forget his goal of the tournament contender against Argentina which was an absolute screamer.
Denis Cheryshev (Russia) - Cheryshev makes the list because of the outstanding role he played in Russia’s decent run to the quarter-finals. A left midfielder by trade, it is easy to see him slotting into the role of a left wing back. He scored 4 goals out of the 6 shots he had on target which includes 3 absolute stunners. Cheryshev came, saw and conquered.
MIDFIELDERS
N’Golo Kante (France) - Kante provided the foundation needed for France to attack. His excellent reading of the game has come in handy for his French side. With 19 interceptions, 10 clearances, a pass success rate of 89.6% and a tackle success rate of 71.4%, Kante has been immense in midfield and has stifled the attacking threats of opposing teams with ease.
Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) - Rakitic was wonderful throughout the tournament. A ‘monster’ in the middle of the park and efficiently controlled games.
Luka Modric (Croatia) - The deserved player of the tournament. Modric dazzled with his breathtaking performances. With a pass success rate of 86.7%, 8 interceptions and 2 goals, Modric was amazingly unbelievable. There are three main types of playmakers: organizing playmaker, attacking playmaker and defensive playmaker. His style of play makes him a very rare breed of midfielder who possesses all the 3 playmaking attributes.
ATTACKERS
Kylian Mbappe (France) - Mbappe’s pace and trickery worked to devastating effect for France. The 19-year-old scored four goals - first young scorer in the history of the world cup and second youngest scorer in the world cup final behind the great Pele. He was a torn in the flesh of the opposing teams, especially against Argentina. A match the great Lionel Messi will never want to remember.
Eden Hazard (Belgium) - Hazard led Belgium by allowing his feet to do the talking. He has scored 3 goals and was very vital to Belgium’s historic third-place finish.
Coach: Didier Deschamps (France) - Deschamps fights off competition from Roberto Martinez and Zlatko Dalic to be named as coach of the tournament. One thing that stood out about Deschamps is his intelligent game management strategy that worked extremely well in knockout games.
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