Top 3 defenders who played at the 2018 World Cup

In football, a lot of attention and focus goes to the forwards who score goals and break records. They more often than not make the headlines, especially in major competitions. This works both ways as analysts will point out those who fire blanks for long spells.

For example, Olivier Giroud played over 500 minutes at the World Cup without conjuring a single shot on target. What about the players that pull the strings at the back?

It is no doubt that defenders play a pivotal role in any team. The modern-day football has revolutionized how defenders play the game. Nowadays, they are required to be good on the ball and be composed passers.

From time to time, we see central defenders, who were the furthest back, deployed forward in the final minutes of a match. Traditional fullbacks are required more to overlap and provide crossing options for their team.

In the recently concluded 2018 World Cup, we saw managers use different formations depending on their style of play. Belgium and England had three central defenders with two wing backs. No doubt, there were bright sparks defensively and these three defenders proved to be rock solid at the back.

#3 Harry Maguire (England)

The 6 ft 4 center-back was arguably England's main defensive man in their run-up to a formidable fourth-place finish. Yes, his defensive partner John Stones scored two headed goals from set pieces, but some of his defensive abilities let him down.

Maguire, on the other hand, bullied the opposition strikers with his size and height. He scored the opening goal for England, a thumping header against Sweden in their 2-0 quarter-final win.

The Leicester City man also got five crucial blocks and made 50 recoveries in the competition. It is not surprising that he alongside Jordan Pickford played every minute of the competition for England.

#2 Benjamin Pavard (France)

Pavard was an unlikely hero for France

In the build-up to the World Cup, Pavard was one of the little-known players on the French team. With big names like Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann, Pavard was only going to put his modest shift on the right side of the defense. But did he? The right-back proved to be a versatile option for the French.

The 22-year-old proved his versatility by scoring a vicious 25-yard piledriver against Argentina. Pavard pounced on a loose Lucas Hernandez cross to thump the ball into the top right corner. It was surely one of the goals of the tournament.

Pavard made four attempts at goal with two being on target. Defensively, he made 31 clearances and two crucial blocks. He was also a shrewd passer of the ball by completing 221 of 258 passes. He is definitely one of France's future golden generation and will be a hot prospect in the transfer market.

#1 Raphael Varane

Varane's defensive and offensive contribution helped France win the World Cup

The Real Madrid defender has had a magical year by breaking various records. At 25, he became the youngest player to win three consecutive UEFA Champions League title. After missing out on Euro 2016 due to injury, he was an integral part of Didier Deschamps' World Cup-winning team.

Varane formed a formidable partnership with Samuel Umtiti that kept the likes of Lionel Messi, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard quiet.

Varane made 39 clearances and recovered 47 balls as he played all of France's seven matches at the World Cup. The towering center-back was always a threat on set pieces and was quick to snap out any danger.

On July 6, 2018, he scored a headed goal in France's 2-0 quarterfinal win over stubborn Uruguay. This was France's first attempt at the Uruguayan goal and it bore dividends. With Kylian Mbappe and Griezmann grabbing all the headlines for their goals, Varane played a big part on their way to a 4-2 victory over Croatia.