Tuesday , March 19 2024

My arunfoot ‘2018 FIFA World Cup – Tournament Best XI’!

The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is history with France winning the tournament in a thrilling 4-2 win over Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday, July 15 afternoon.

I chose a rather defensive formation, a 4-5-1 due to what we all saw in Russia unlike many others who rather took a more attacking 3-4-3 or a 4-4-2 formation for the tournaments Best XI.

There be the one or the other surprise in there, but read for yourself and discuss if you agree or disagree with me…

My arunfoot ‘2018 FIFA World Cup – Tournament Best XI’

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois was the goalkeeper of the tournament because of his multiple saves across all the matches with especially his saves against Brazil enabling the Red Devils to reach the semifinals and in the end finish third.

Defender: Raphael Varane (France)
France’s Raphael Varane wasn’t often mentioned in the matches, but the Real Madrid centre-back was for me the best defensive player of the tournament. He kept the French defence together and scored a vital goal when needed.

Defender: Samuel Umtiti (France)
France’s Samuel Umtiti build a solid partnership with Varane at the back, the best defensive unit of the tournament and scored the winner against Belgium through a header when needed.

Defender: Andreas Granqvist (Sweden)
Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist might be surprise for some of you, but without him Sweden would have never reached the quarterfinals. A leader who leads from the front and when needed also scores of penalties.

Defender: Yerry Mina (Colombia)
Colombia’s Yerry Mina only reached the pre-quarterfinals with his country, but he showed grit and determination in defence and scored three vital goals for his country.

Midfielder: Ngolo Kante (France)
France’s Ngolo Kante was the defensive wall infront of the defence and the man who allowed the attacking line their offensive endeavours. He didn’t have his best game in the final but he got his country there.

Midfielder: Luka Modric (Croatia)
Croatia’s Luka Modric deservingly was voted player of the tournament for his overall performance. The Real Madrid midfielder gave it all for his country after a gruelling season and lead from the front.

Midfielder: Ivan Rakitic (Croatia)
Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic is the man who covered a lot of ground for Croatia especially when they went behind in all of their knockout matches, a box to box player with sublime skill.

Midfielder: Kevin de Bruyne (Belgium)
Belgium’s Kevin de Bruyne showed why he is one of the best midfielders in the world, who in his side took up defensive and attacking roles whenever called upon.

Midfielder: Eden Hazard (Belgium)
Belgium’s Eden Hazard created problems for all defences with his trickery and skills while scoring some lovely goals.

Striker: Kylian Mbappe (France)
The teenager is a phenomenon already at his age. The youngest goalscorer in a FIFA World Cup final after Pele in 1958, who at 19 is already world champion with a great career ahead of him.

Special Mention: Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (President of Croatia)
A special mention from me goes out for Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic for her incredible support for our national team, the way she conducted herself and they way she represented her nation at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. It isn’t about what politics she stands for, but rather on this occasion it is about her country and its national football team.

About Arunava Chaudhuri

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