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After a month full of surprises, shocks, thrills and upsets, the World Cup is finally over, with France clinching international football's most coveted trophy. Although not starting as hot favourites, the Les Bleus exhibited immense grit and character on the field, beating some extremely balanced units en route the cup.
The 2018 edition was arguably the most entertaining and astonishing tournament, with features such as VAR and fourth substitute in extra time. This edition of the quadrennial tournament largely belonged to the minnows, who punched well above their weight to stun some of the juggernauts. While the traditional powerhouses such as Argentina, Germany and Portugal failed to impress, teams such as Croatia, Russia and Japan have ushered in a new era in their footballing history.
This time around, we saw players apart from the Big 3 - Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar perform consistently and develop a fan base as the tournament progressed. This new pool of talented players that impressed and got the viewers glued on the screens included Luka Modric, Harry Kane and Eden Hazard and Kylian Mbappe.
As the World Cup has concluded, let's have a look at the team which can possibly take on World Champions France.
Note: We have selected a 4-3-3 formation for the team.
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
Courtois was easily the best goalkeeper in the tournament and was one of the driving forces behind Belgium's best finish in the World Cup. He was especially crucial in the quarter-final against Brazil, diving all sides to prevent the onslaught by Brazilians. He stood like a wall in front of the goal, with his 6'6" frame allowing him to exercise his command over the net.
The Golden Glove winner defied some prodigious advances by the oppositions with his highly flexible moves, with the blockage of a Neymar-curl in the quarters being the highlight of his performance.
The Chelsea goalkeeper reaffirmed his stature as one of the best in the business, as he overshadowed some worthy competitors in Spain's David de Gea and Portugal's Rui Patricio.
Centre-backs
Domagoj Vida (Croatia)
Vida was a vital cog in Croatia's dream campaign into the finals. He marshalled the defence perfectly and was especially important in the games running into the extra times, as he held on to exhibit great character.
Vida was also influential on the other half of the pitch, and his best World Cup moment came when he scored a potential winner in the extra time of the quarterfinals. As the game went into the penalties, the 29-year old scored once again to power the Croats into the semi-finals.
Vida also assisted a goal in the final, and he was instrumental in keeping a clean sheet against Lionel Messi's Argentina, failing any advances on the Croatian half.
Yerry Mina (Colombia)
Not much fancied before the start of the World Cup, the 23-year-old was one of the finds of the tournament. He was crucial on both the halves of the pitch, leading from the back and propelling the attack forward. Missing out on the shocking opener against Japan, Yerry Mina made an impact in the next two group matches, scoring a goal apiece and further maintaining a clean score sheet.
He came back in the pre-quarters to score in the dying seconds of the game, taking the game to the penalties. His ability to cruise through the opposition attack, while also breaking their defence finds him a place in this lineup.
Full-backs
Left-back: Marcelo Vieira (Brazil)
Though not at his prime in the first game, where he had to leave the field inside the first 10 minutes, Marcelo was back to ground against Costa Rica, and was vital in keeping a clean sheet, blocking any advances. Despite his injury, he ensured Brazil played an attacking game. His duo with Neymar formed a great left-wing attack, at the same time he kept an eye on his defensive duties as well.
Missing out on the match against Mexico, the Real Madrid defender made a great comeback in the quarter-final against Belgium, as he manifested his versatility.
Right-back: Kieran Trippier (England)
An obvious choice for the position considering how the proceedings went in Russia. Trippier was the most creative player in the tournament. At 24, he created the most chances in the tournament, one up from Lionel Messi in the previous edition.
Every time the English netted the ball, it was due to his visionary excellence at the back. With his prodigious skills, the combo of Maguire and Stones seemed to be lethal.
The only goal that England scored directly from a free kick is also attributable to the Tottenham defender, who struck a genius to give the Three Lions an early lead into the semi-final.
Midfielders
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
Kevin De Bruyne was at the heart of the Belgian midfield in the World Cup and one of the main driving forces to a record third finish at the quadrennial event. His unparalleled technique and wide range of passes were one of the main factors that Belgium dominated the midfield. Whether it was constructing chances from midfield or penetrating the opposition's defence, his vision and execution were the epitome of perfection.
His most crucial contributions came in the games against Brazil and England (the 3rd place match). The Manchester City midfielder sliced open the Brazilian defence to net a winner against the five-time champions. He assisted Eden Hazard in the second goal against the Three Lion which assured bronze for Belgium.
Luka Modric (Croatia)
Let's embrace the truth- Croatia shy of Modric were good enough to exit in the group stage, or at most in the Round of 16. The 32-year-old was the lynch-pin of the Croatian line up as he led them to their best finish.
Modric in the midfield made the difference for Croatia on both halves of the ground as he made some stellar passes and hardly ever gave away the ball. His goal against Argentina was easily one of the best of the tournament.
It was the aura of the Golden Ball winner that the East European nation ended up on the winning side in three encounters that ran into the extra time. The display of his wide array of skills in the second half of the semi-final was one of his best in the tournament.
Modric is also the captain of our team and truly deserves to win the Ballon d'Or for his courageous outing in Russia.
Ivan Perisic (Croatia)
Another Croatian in the lineup, his combination with Modric and De Bruyne promises to form a lethal trio. Perisic was the metaphor for tireless and indomitable display in the World Cup. His controversial handling of the ball might be trending now, but he was more in news for the right reasons. He was the mainstay of the Croatian midfield along with his captain Modric.
He found the net 3 times in the World Cup. His hair-raising goal and assist in the semifinal win against England and an equaliser in the final are a testimony to his emphatic run in the tournament.
Forwards
Eden Hazard (Belgium)
The Belgian captain was one of the best players in the tournament, as he led his side to their best finish in the tournament. He was adept with his passing, dribbles and back-heels which earned him the applause of the sporting community.
Hazard showed that he has the ability to break open defences, scripting one of the most famous comebacks in the history of World Cup versus Japan. He spectacled the World Cup with 3 goals and 2 assists, which earned him the Silver Ball award.
Harry Kane (England)
The captain of the Three Lions forms the spearhead of the attacking trio at the front. Kane was at his lethal best in the tournament, as he powered his way to 6 goals. He starred in England's biggest victory in the World Cup, 6-1 against Panama, as he became the third Englishman to score a hat-trick at the coveted event.
Kane also scored the solitary goal against Colombia in the Round of 16, by way of a penalty. He was charismatic to watch and had a significant bearing on his team's result.
Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)
Cavani has been a seasoned campaigner in the South American side for some time now. He always formed a potential threat for the oppositions, but this time around he translated the potential into kinetics.
The PSG striker was at his imperious best, particularly in the game against Portugal, as propelled his team into the quarter-final with an adept brace.
Unfortunately, he was injured in that game and the Uruguayan line up looked lacklustre in his absence.
Manager - Gareth Southgate (England)
Gareth Southgate has been the pivotal element behind England's inspiring run in the tournament. Southgate united a nation largely plagued by club-rivalries and instilled pride on representing the nation in Football's most coveted trophy.
Inability to win penalty shootouts and early exits from group stages seemed a chapter of history, as England surprised one and all with their display at the international arena. The former English midfielder has been the vital factor behind the polished and sophisticated brand of football played by the Three Lions.
Substitutes
1. Jordan Pickford (England)
2. Diego Godlin (Uruguay)
3. Harry Maguire (England)
4. Vincent Kompany (Belgium)
5. Takashi Inui (Japan)
6. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
7. Mario Mandzukic (Croatia)
8. Denis Cheryshev (Russia)
Do you think this team can beat France in a full match? Tell us your opinions in the comments below!
