Sport Gazette World Cup Team of the Tournament
And breath…
29 days, 64 games, 172 goals and the greatest World Cup Final of all time.
We’ve waited a day, had a lie down and let the dust settle before deciding on the Sports Gazette team of the tournament, so let’s get into it!
GK – Emi Martinez
Martinez could be in this team alone for his save three minutes into injury time in extra time that prevented back to back World Cup victories for France. Instead, he helped them win in the shootout. Martinez has been one of the emotional leaders of the Argentinian team. He talked trash, played mind games with opponents, but backed it up each and every time in a phenomenal showing this tournament.
RB – Achraf Hakimi
Undoubtedly the dark horses of Qatar 2022, nobody could have predicted just how superb Morocco were going to be. Well unless you were Samuel Eto…but if by some miracle you did, you would have almost certainly said that Achraf Hakimi would have played a vital role and didn’t he just. No other right back came into contention. The PSG defender can be himself in this Moroccan side and free himself of the shackles that surround him in France. Defensibly solid and fluid in the attack, he certainly inspired his country forwards.
CB – Romain Saiss
One of the few remaining from our team of the group stages, Saiss encapsulated Morocco’s success. Saiss played through a hamstring injury for the majority of the knockout stages and kept clean sheets against both Spain and Portugal. The 32 year-old led from the back as part of a unit only conceded one goal before their elimination to France in the semi-final. His semi final was cut short due to said injury, and who knows how the semi final would have panned out if he was fit.
CB – Josko Gvardiol
The centre back has undoubtedly been one of the breakout stars throughout this tournament and has shone at the back for Croatia during their run to the semi-finals. Many wouldn’t have known much about the RB Leipzig defender apart from the whopping £77 million bid Chelsea had rejected for the player late on in the summer. Fans will certainly understand why now. It speaks volumes that despite Lionel Messi giving him the runaround in their semi-final, Gvardiol still comfortably makes this team. RB Leipzig will do exceptionally well to keep the Croatian beyond the summer.
LB – Theo Hernández
When his brother Lucas was injured in France’s opener, Theo quickly began showing why maybe he should have initially been starting. Not the most defensive of full-backs, Hernández collected a goal and two assists in Qatar to amplify his attacking capabilities for France. Hernandez is one of the best in his position in world football and was desperately unlucky to not have a World Cup to compliment a fine individual tournament for the AC Milan man.
CM – Sofyan Amrabat
Little was known about the Fiorentina man prior to the tournament but having delivered some stellar performances for Morocco at this World Cup, he will most certainly be a consideration ahead of the winter and summer transfer windows. 83.5% pass completion and 64.3% tackle success in Qatar illuminates the dominance he possessed in helping Morocco to an unprecedented World Cup semi-final. Amrabat was the heartbeat of a Moroccan midfield that gave opposing players zero time to breath and produced one of the moments of the tournament with a crunching tackle on Mbappe in the semi final.
CM – Enzo Fernández
The young player of the tournament and a World Cup champion with Argentina. What a tournament for the 21-year-old starlet from Benfica. Fernández’s credibility was arguably already established prior to the tournament but following his performances in Qatar he has asserted his quality and supported his highly regarded potential. 87.5 pass completion and 80 touches in the attacking third coupled with his overall endeavour throughout the tournament makes Fernández one for the future.
CAM – Antoine Griezmann
Playing in a deeper role than usual under Deschamps, Griezmann revolutionised his career to become a vital midfielder for the French. The 31-year-old claimed three assists over the tournament and averaged over three key passes a game. A man of the match trophy in the semi-final against Morocco highlighted the impact the Atletico Madrid man had on the French side.
RW – Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe produced arguably the best ever individual performance in a World Cup Final and yet ended up on the losing side through no fault of his own. It was so nearly the picture-book ending to what was already a superhuman tournament from the Frenchman. Eight goals and two assists in seven matches, a golden boot, masterful performances, and cementing himself as the the proverbial heir to Leo’s throne. Mbappe had as good a tournament as it gets.
ST – Julián Álvarez
Manchester City’s 22-year-old forward started the World Cup as a bench player for Argentina, before working his way into the starting side before the end of the group stages. Scoring four times in the tournament, Álvarez was pivotal in helping ensure Argentina became champions of the world. A semi-final brace against Croatia was the highlight of the youngster’s World Cup.
LW – Lionel Messi
What can we say that hasn’t been said? It was the one medal missing from his extensive collection. He felt he owed it to himself and his country to bring that iconic trophy back to Argentina and follow in the footsteps of another Argentinian icon. 36 years after Maradona did just that, Messi followed suit. The collection is complete and his legacy is assured, Lionel will be remembered as the best to ever play the game.
Honourable mentions
Azzedine Ounahi
French side Angers could have a rather difficult time in January trying to keep hold of Ounahi based off his performances at this World Cup. The 22-year-old played a vital role in midfield, helping the North Africans in attack and defence. His showing at the tournament has not gone unnoticed, with a whole host of Premier League clubs showing interest in the Moroccan.
Bruno Fernandes
Two goals and three assists in his four games played and logging the highest average match rating of anyone at the tournament. Portugal may have had a disappointing exit, but their magical midfielder was at his masterful best in Qatar. He was their most impactful player throughout the midst of the CR7 media storm, and showed how good he can be as a team’s main attacking outlet.
Jude Bellingham
It was only a matter of time, but this was Jude’s official breakout party. The Dortmund midfielder shone every time he pulled on the England shirt and was a spark in that midfield that The Three Lions have craved for a very long time. His driving runs, silky footwork and aggression in the middle of the park was a joy to watch. It’s safe to say that Gareth Southgate’s midfield is in safe hands for the foreseeable future.
