OneFootball
Alex Mott·11 December 2022
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Alex Mott·11 December 2022
Four games of the highest quality and of the most incredible drama.
The World Cup quarter-finals really had it all, but who made our team of the round?
Croatia are through to the World Cup semi-finals a lot of that has to do with the brilliance of Dominik Livaković.
The Dinamo Zagreb shot-stopper palmed away virtually everything Brazil threw at him in normal time before saving Rodrygo’s penalty during the shoot-out.
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Morocco’s entire backline has been sensational during the tournament but special praise has to be reserved for Achraf Hakimi.
The Paris Saint-Germain nullified Joao Felix’s threat against Portugal and offered a continuous attacking presence.
Another colossus at the back who has enhanced his ever-growing reputation at this tournament.
Joško Gvardiol is only 20 years old but has commanding presence in Croatia’s win over Brazil was that of a man in the peak of his powers.
With Nayef Aguerd injured, Morocco’s chances of making the final four looked to have taken a huge dent.
And then Jawad El Yamiq, a 30-year-old on the fringes of the squad, produced one of the performances of his life.
An almost perfect 90 minutes from Yahia Attiyat-Allah was one of the bedrocks of Morocco’s historic victory on Saturday.
Excellent in both attack and defence, the 27-year-old is having one hell of a tournament.
Perhaps no player at the entire World Cup is performing like Antoine Griezmann is right now.
The Atlético Madrid man is playing a deeper role and gave a bit of a clinic in Les Bleus victory over England.
The Benjamin Button of world football.
Luka Modrić looked as good as ever on Friday as he bossed the midfield against Brazil. An astonishing player, the likes of which we may never see again.
A 22-year-old with a huge future in the game, Azzedine Ounahi hardly put a foot wrong against Portugal.
The Angers man is a central midfielder who can do everything at both ends of the pitch.
England may have lost on Saturday but in Bukayo Saka the Three Lions had an attacking player who lit up Al Bayt Stadium.
Saka was sensational against France, turning Theo Hernandez inside out and times and winning England their first penalty.
How could this team revolve around anyone else?
Brought on in the 78th minute to try and save something for the Netherlands Wout Weghorst scored twice with his two efforts of the game, including the equaliser in the 100th minute.
Lionel Messi scored a penalty but he’s not in this XI for that spot kick.
No, the Argentina sensation is here for that astonishing assist to Nahuel Molina.
To execute that pass, and that speed, in a World Cup quarter-final, is just astonishing.