GK
Livakovic
Incredible performance against Brazil. Made numerous in-game saves and won 2 penalty shootouts.
RB
Hakimi
Great in both defence and attack, a cornerstone of Morocco’s excellent backline. Did well to limit Mbappe against France.
CB
Saiss
Imperious for Morocco in defence. Captained his nation to an African country’s best ever finish in a World Cup.
Gvardiol
Rising star. May get a big-money transfer soon. Key in Croatia’s superb run and defence against Brazil.
LB
Theo Hernandez
Filled in for Lucas Hernandez brilliantly. Did not make his brother’s absence felt. Opened the scoring acrobatically against Morocco, the first opponent to do so.
CM
Modric
A bit of nostalgia here. Not as good as his Ballon d’or-winning performance in the previous edition, but still a midfield magician. Bronze ball winner. His last ever World Cup😞
Amrabat
🤯Insanely good. Still sprinting and tackling after 120 minutes against Spain’s 1000 passes. Praised by Emmanuel Macron as the best midfielder of the tournament. Deserved.
LW
Mbappe
A hat-trick in the final and top scorer! Lived up to high expectations. Constantly the talk of the press on how to keep him quiet. Silver ball winner.
RW
Messi
Won the World Cup and the Golden Ball. Only player to score in every stage of the same World Cup, though assisted by multiple fortuitous penalties. Very influential in his side’s play.
AM
Griezmann
Close shout for the player of the tournament. Racking up chances created, expected assists (xA) and tackles all over the pitch.
ST
Alvarez
Displaced Lautaro Martinez in the starting lineup. Partnered well with Messi up front. Man City have another Argentinian star striker on their hands. And they already have Haaland!
Substitutes
Konate
Did not start every game as sometimes Upamecano was preferred. But was a rock in defence in those matches he played and had superb stats to back up his performances, which may justify a secure starting spot at Liverpool.
Neymar
The best player for Brazil. Scored one of the goals of the tournament with an amazing solo stunner against Croatia.
Saka
England’s most dangerous player. Was a handful for France.
Emi Martinez
Won the Golden Glove and 2 penalty shootouts. Immense save in the 123rd minute against Kolo Muani to deny France the trophy. Would not want to face him in a penalty shootout.
Otamendi
Dropped out of the best XI after a penalty concession against France. Otherwise great.
Fernandes
Best and most influential player for Portugal. His side could have gone further in the World Cup.
Ounahi
Amazing performances in midfield. Worked well with Hakimi and Ziyech on the right side.
Enzo Fernandez
Another young star who may leave his club for a big-money move. To the Premier League, maybe?
Kovacic
At times better than his compatriot and midfield partner Modric.
MacAllister
Will he get a move to a bigger club?
Giroud
Tactical stabiliser for France. Solid backup option to the injured Karim Benzema.
Aguerd
Injured for the last 3 matches of Morocco’s campaign but imperious when available.
Ake
The Man City man put in dependable displays at left centre-back for the Netherlands.
Manager
Didier Deschamps
Controversial pick as most articles I’ve read chose Morocco’s Walid Regragui, who did a commendable job. But based on the past 2 tournaments, I believe Deschamps is the best man to make superstars gel together in a system. He had the gumption and decisiveness to make 2 first-half substitutions in the final, showing the extent of his authority and acumen. Also Morocco lost all but one of their games on expected goals (xG), meaning that luck played a huge role in their run. And the only game they won on xG was the least consequential one, the 3rd-place final.
BLOGOPUS 