Catch-up on all of the motion from the FIFA World Cup 2022™ with highlights, mini matches and full replays now on the
GK: Dominik Livakovic (Croatia)
Livakovic regarded impenetrable between the sticks in Qatar however was finally unable to forestall Argentina from reaching the World Cup closing.
The 27-year-old produced two clear sheets within the group stage earlier than saving three of 4 penalties in opposition to Japan within the Spherical of 16, and certainly one of two missed makes an attempt in opposition to Brazil within the quarter-final.
His manufacturing was undoubtedly a key issue driving the Vatreni in direction of the tail finish of the event for the second successive version, the place they completed third.
LB: Theo Hernandez (France)
Hernandez changed brother Lucas 13 minutes into France’s opener in opposition to Australia and by no means regarded again, turning into a pivotal piece of their pursuit of back-to-back World Cup titles.
What the defending champions lacked in solidity they greater than made up for by the 25-year-old’s attacking prowess, full with two assists, one clear sheet and an important objective.
The Milan wing-back scored the opening objective within the semi-final in opposition to Morocco and averaged a 7.74 match score, per Opta, which was a tournament-high amongst defenders.
CB: Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)
Gvardiol caught the world’s consideration together with his shows in Qatar, the place he was labelled by many as the perfect defender within the event.
Aged 20 and at present linked with the likes of Manchester Metropolis and Chelsea, Gvardiol cast a powerful partnership with veteran Dejan Lovren as Croatia reached the semi-finals following a number of defensive shows.
The following assembly with Argentina was the one blemish on the RB Leipzig star’s resume, however his objective in opposition to Morocco to assist seal third place greater than made up for it.
CB: Romain Saiss (Morocco)
Saiss actually put his physique on the road for Morocco in Qatar because the Atlas Lions completed in fourth place – the highest-ever putting by an African nation.
Their historic run was constructed on the again of a defence that didn’t concede a single objective to an opposition participant till the semi-finals, regardless of going through heavyweights Croatia, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal alongside the best way.
A hamstring damage finally pressured the captain off in Morocco’s penultimate recreation in opposition to France, however not earlier than the 32-year-old tallied 4 clear sheets, one objective, 28 recoveries and 30 clearances.
RB: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
A pivotal a part of Morocco’s plans, Hakimi carried his group stage kind into the knockout phases in opposition to Spain, Portugal, France, and third-place play-off opponents Croatia.
Higher recognized for his offensive output, the 24-year-old impressed much more together with his defending because the event wore on, making extra tackles than some other participant.
Hakimi was the one constant member of Walid Regragui’s again 4 by the event’s finish, which is a testomony to his sturdiness amid accidents to his fellow defenders.
CM: Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)
Fernandez had an unimaginable marketing campaign in Qatar, the place he was named Younger Participant of the Event for his efforts in midfield.
The 21-year-old registered essentially the most tackles and passes into the ultimate third for Argentina, as they defeated France for his or her third World Cup crown.
Lionel Scaloni positioned a whole lot of duty on the Benfica enforcer’s shoulders heading into the event, and it’s secure to say he delivered.
CM: Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco)
The enforcer in Morocco’s midfield, Amrabat stole headlines in Qatar together with his unimaginable shows.
No different participant received possession extra instances than the 26-year-old, whose 57 was essentially the most by an African participant at any event since 1966.
Deployed on the base of the Atlas Lions’ three-man midfield, Amrabat additionally coated essentially the most distance and accomplished essentially the most passes in a marketing campaign that punched above its weight in historic vogue.
CM: Luka Modric (Croatia)
In what was his final World Cup marketing campaign, Modric ensured he exited the worldwide stage with one final reminder of his high quality.
The 37-year-old was the metronome in an skilled midfield for Croatia however one which elevated the tempo with every passing match, culminating of their third-place play-off win over Morocco.
Zlatko Dalic’s males achieved their second successive place on the rostrum because of the presence of Modric, who completed second for balls received within the center third (45) and led the best way with passes into the ultimate third.
CAM: Antoine Griezmann (France)
Deployed in midfield, simply behind France’s formidable entrance three, Griezmann added an additional layer to his recreation in Qatar.
The 31-year-old was ever-present in each assault and defence and led Les Bleus in nearly each statistical class.
Griezmann produced essentially the most assists, crosses, possibilities created and passes into the opponents’ field for his nation, but additionally earned plaudits for his recoveries within the closing third.
ST: Kylian Mbappe (France)
Is there something Mbappe can’t do? The 23-year-old carried France to the World Cup closing, the place his hat-trick ensured penalties would resolve the victor.
Regardless of falling brief within the shootout, Mbappe turned the primary man to attain three targets within the closing since 1966 and took residence the Golden Boot award for good measure with eight in whole.
The pacey and highly effective attacker additionally tied Pele’s file of 12 targets in 14 video games, earlier than falling simply in need of his second straight World Cup crown.
ST: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi saved his finest World Cup marketing campaign for final in Qatar as Argentina lifted the trophy for the primary time since 1986.
It was billed because the 35-year-old’s final likelihood to safe the elusive trophy, and he actually performed prefer it, producing seven targets and three assists to earn a file second Golden Ball award.
The World Cup was lengthy believed to be the ultimate piece wanted to cement Messi’s legacy within the stunning recreation, and now, he maybe stands above all as its biggest.