FIFA World Cup 2018: Sportswallah’s best XI

The Golden Glove winner of the tournament, Belgian stopper Courtois had a solid campaign in Russia and beat the competition from France captain Hugo Lloris and Croatia’s Danijel Subasic to make it to this lineup, following the mistakes the latter two committed in the finals.
Honourable Mention: Jordan Pickford (England)

The Belgium right-back had been a key part of Roberto Martinez’s side throughout Russia and his absence in the semifinal due to suspension proved just that, as the Red Devils were beaten by France. He made a difference on his return in third-place playoff, scoring a goal and posing a serious threat down the right-side as he did all tournament. Edges out Kieran Tripper and Benjamin Pavard for the spot.
Honourbale Mention: Kieran Trippier (England)

The French centre-half was the proverbial rock at the back for Les Bleus in the World Cup. Going up against the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Romelu Lukaku during the knockouts, the Real Madrid superstar came out on top in each of the encounters, dominating over some of the most feared marksmen in the game currently, while also chipping in with a key goal against Uruguay in the quarterfinals.
Honourable Mention: Andreas Granqvist (Sweden)

To simply put, the Atletico Madrid superstar is easily the best centre-back in the game currently. And he proved why with some amazing displays throughout Uruguay’s journey to the quarterfinals. A lot of credit goes to the La Celeste captain for the fact that his side didn”t concede a single goal in the group stages and the way he dealt with Cristiano Ronaldo in the second round was admirable indeed.
Honourable Mention: Harry Maguire (England)

The Frenchman might not be the fastest and the flashiest full-backs around, but he gets the job done and consistently so. And that is exactly what we got to see from him in Russia, as he put on a series of solid, reliable displays in defence, while also setting up two goals in the knockout stages, including one in the final.

There is no best World Cup XI without the Golden Ball winner. While Luka Modric might have faltered at the final hurdle against France, there is no taking away the fact that he was perhaps arguably the most influential player in Russia this summer. The Croatian captain led his team from the front, chipping in with two valuable goals and providing more evidence as to why he is considered the best in the business in his position.
Honourable Mention: Ivan Rakitic (Croatia)

The France players serenading him with anthems in their celebrations post the World Cup triumph said it all. The 27-year old doesn”t always grab the limelight like some of his teammates do, but without him in the team, the story could have been a lot different for France. May have had a slightly disappointing finale, but nonetheless deserves a spot in this line-up. “He’s petite, he’s beautiful, he stopped Leo Messi.”

The creator-in-chief for the Belgians, it was the Manchester City superstar that orchestrated attacks after attacks for the Belgians, match after match, putting in a series of world-class displays. KDB was particularly impressive against the Brazilians in the quarterfinal as he ran the show all by himself in the final third, while he was once again at his best in the third-place playoff against England. Nudges out Paul Pogba, who stepped it up for France this summer, from the line-up.
Honourable Mention: Paul Pogba (France)

The 19-year old became the first ever teenager to score in the final of a World Cup since the legendary Pele did, 60 years ago in 1958. The way he tore apart the Argentine defence in the round of 16 clash, the manner in which he terrorized the Belgian defence in the quarterfinals, Mbappe stamped his authority in his debut World Cup and rightly went on to win the Best Young Player award. Just a start for the teenage sensation!

Might prove to be a bit of a controversial selection, considering that the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Antoine Griezmann had very impressive World Cups as well. But in the end, it was Kane who walked away with the Golden Boot and that earns him a spot in the line-up. While his form tapered off towards the end of the competition, the fact that England could make it all the way till the semifinal was largely due to his performances in the early stages of the competition, starting off with that late winner against Tunisia, to the hat-trick that demolished Panama, followed by the crucial penalty against Colombia in the second round.
Honourable Mention: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium), Antoine Griezmann (France)

With three goals, including one in the playoffs that ensured Belgium earned their best ever finish in a World Cup, against his name, and numerous occasions of leaving defenders dead in their tracks with his pace and trickery, Belgium’s twinkle-toed wing wizard lit up the World Cup in Russia. Donning the captain’s armband ahead of Vincent Kompany, Hazard led his team by example and deservedly snapped up the Silver Ball at the end of the tournament.
Honourable Mention: Ivan Perisic (Croatia)