FIFA World Cup 2018: Matchday 1 Combined XI

The first matchday of the 2018 FIFA World Cup had a good share of barn-burning contests. The encounter between Spain and Portugal turned out to be a goal-fest thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Costa. Last minute goals by England, Uruguay, and an own goal by Morocco squashed the African nations' hopes of snatching a point in their opening encounters.

There were a lot of upsets as well. Germany succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Mexico, Iceland held Argentina 1-1, and Switzerland walked home with a point against Brazil. If you are one of those people who watch football once in four years, the tournament should have left you in sixes and sevens as to whom to cheer.

Nonetheless, there were some players who fascinated us with their performance. Whether it be vigorous defending, resolute goalkeeping, or scintillating attacking prowess, these players have proved the world why they are the very best. Furthermore, we only selected one player from each team to have representation from as many countries as possible.

Also Read: 5 Records That Might Be Broken In FIFA World Cup 2018

#11 Goalkeeper- Hannes Por Halldorsson (Iceland)

Before the World Cup began, all the eyes were on Manuel Neuer and David de Gea. Many believed that the contest would be between the two to go home with the Golden Glove. However, Iceland's Hannes Por Halldorsson shocked everyone with his flexibility against Argentina.

Other than the goal scored by Sergio Aguero, Haldorsson made a total of seven saves in the ninety minutes. The 34-year-old former filmmaker even saved Lionel Messi's penalty which could have sealed the deal for Argentina. Here is what he told the press when asked about his terrific save:

“I looked at a lot of penalties from Messi and I also looked at how I’ve been behaving during the last couple of penalties. I tried to get in their minds, so they’d be thinking about me. I had a good feeling he’d go this way today.”

It wouldn't be a surprise if his saves guide Iceland to the knockout stages. To say, he deserved to be the 'Man of the Match' in their encounter against Argentina goes without saying.

Enter captio — Halldorsson will be the goalkeeper in our Combined XI

#10 Left Back- Aleksandar Kolarov (Serbia)

It was a tough choice for us to choose between Jesus Gallardo (Mexico) and Aleksandar Kolarov for the left back position. But, we went with the latter due to his phenomenal left-footed strike at the 56th minute which made all the difference.

The Serbian was also instrumental in the build-up play as he completed 28 passes in 90 minutes. Coming off from a fantastic Roma season, the 32-year-old even recovered the ball five times. The 56th-minute shot didn't give Keylor Navas, who plays for Real Madrid, any chance whatsoever. It is that sort of goal which Cristiano Ronaldo would be proud of.

If Serbia wants to make it through to the knockout stages, the left-back will have to deliver in the subsequent games. Brazil and Switzerland shouldn't be in your group if you want to progress to the next round easily.

#9 Centre Back - Jose Gimenez (Uruguay)

Making it next to our list is the 23-year-old Uruguayan defender, Jose Gimenez. The Atletico Madrid defender has proved the world why he is on the radars of Juventus, Arsenal, and Liverpool for a potential summer transfer.

Recovering the ball 12 times and throwing in 2 crucial tackles, he was a significant figure in thwarting Egypt's attacking plans. Furthermore, it was his header in the 90th-minute which gave Uruguay the all-important 3 points. Sanchez delivered the free-kick from the right, and Gimenez rose the highest to head into the right-hand corner of the net. It was enough to leave the Egyptian fans in tears.

Placed in a relatively easier group comprising of Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, they shouldn't find it a tough nut to crack. However, if they want to avoid Portugal, they should top the group and Jose Gimenez will have a huge role to play.

#8 Centre Back- Andreas Granqvist (Sweden)

The game between Sweden and South Korea should have been a 0-0 draw. However, VAR gave Sweden a penalty for a foul by South Korea which the official couldn't notice. Their captain, Andreas Granqvist, had stepped up and ensured Sweden got the lead.

The 33-year-old recovered the ball efficiently whenever South Korea came up with a counter-attack. The veteran used all his experience to push Sweden forward as he had given 36 forward passes in the game. For his all-important goal and defensive heroics, the Swedish was rightly adjudged with the 'Man of the Match' award.

Sweden will next face Germany for a potential second-place spot in the group. A win for them will almost knock the defending champions out of the tournament. Sweden knows it better, and all the eyes will be on their captain if they want to prevent Germany from scoring.

#7 Right Back- Stephan Lichtsteiner (Switzerland)

This summer, Arsenal signed Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner. The Swiss captain knew that the Arsenal fans would judge him by his performance against Brazil. If he could put Neymar at bay, Arsenal fans would be more than happy.

He did pick-up a yellow card early in the match for a foul on Neymar, but he silenced the critics thereafter. The 34-year-old bonded perfectly with Granit Xhaka (another Arsenal player) to silence Neymar. Other than his woeful crosses, the Swiss should give tough competition to Hector Bellarin for a spot in the starting line-up.

Switzerland will next face Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E. If they want to continue their heroics, their captain shouldn't fall back.

Enter — A back four of Kolarov, Gimenez, Granqvist, and Lichtsteiner

#6 Left Midfielder- Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)

The left half of Brazil will give a nightmare to any team. They have the world's best left-back Marcelo and the world's most expensive player Neymar. Yet, it was Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho who gave the lead for the Brazilians.

The former Liverpool playmaker linked-up brilliantly with Neymar and Marcelo down the left wing. After collecting possession outside the edge of the box, the former Liverpool playmaker scored a typical sensational goal into the far corner. Switzerland defended tightly, and it was tough for the Brazilians to find space, but Coutinho found ample amount of it.

If Neymar continues to be off-colors for the Canarians this World Cup, Coutinho should step up and deliver for Brazil regularly. If he wants to rise from the shadows of Neymar, he should continue his performance routinely rather than sporadically.

#5 Central Midfielder- Hector Herrera (Mexico)

Picking only one central midfielder from the lot is extremely difficult. Russia's Roman Zobnin and Serbia's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic were also thorns in the flesh of Saudi Arabia and Costa Rica respectively. But, Mexico's Hector Herrera stole the cake for his spirited performance against Germany.

Hector Herrera was one of the most influential players for Mexico alongside Ochoa and Lozano. Displaying his sheer commitment at the center of the park, his passing proved to be extremely useful in initiating counter-attacks against the Germans. Furthermore, he won the ball numerous times by pressing the German midfielders.

The partnership between the 28-year-old and Guardado will be extremely important to ensure Mexico have a wonderful World Cup. Mexico doesn't have a lot of big names in their squad, but Herrera can earn a contract from clubs in the top 5 leagues of the world if he continues his performance.

#4 Right Midfielder- Ivan Perisic (Croatia)

The right side of the midfield didn't have too many players who fascinated us as of now. But, if we had to choose one, we would go ahead with Croatia's Ivan Perisic.

Ivan Perisic displayed terrific defensive displays as he tracked back whenever Nigeria threatened to attack. He also delivered a couple of brilliant crosses which the Croatian strikers failed to convert. In the game against Nigeria, he accurately delivered 29 short passes, cleared the ball 2 times efficiently, and won 3 out of 4 aerial duels.

Croatia will next face resolute Iceland and favorites Argentina. If Croatia wants to continue their run forward in the tournament, Perisic will have to pull off his socks in the subsequent games.

The dangerous midfield trio of Coutinho, Herrera, and Perisic

#3 Left Winger- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

It would be a crime if we don't include Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in our line-up. He showed the world why he is known as the best player in the world by single-handedly rescuing Portugal from the jaws of defeat.

The Real Madrid talisman gave Portugal the lead in the third minute after earning the penalty and converting it calmly with just three minutes into the clock. They say luck favors the brave, and Cristiano Ronaldo was in the right place to score a goal from a David de Gea blunder. Finally, he netted a stunning free-kick in the 88th-minute to score his hat-trick.

If it weren't for Ronaldo, Portugal would have gone home without any points. If Spain showed the world what a collective performance could do, Ronaldo proved that sometimes a single player is enough to create all the differences.

#2 Centre Forward- Diego Costa (Spain)

Making it next to our list is Spain's, Diego Costa. The Spaniard had one of the best performance in the Spanish shirt after a forgetful World Cup four years earlier.

The striker failed to create any magic in the opening 20 minutes of the game. But, once he had found the back of the net, he became revitalized. He would again equalize in the 55th-minute to keep Spain's hopes alive. The Spaniard didn't have a lot of touches but proved to be a menace whenever he had got the opportunity.

Analyzing the present Spain squad, there aren't any other lethal strikers in the squad. Rodrigo and Iago Aspas might have had a terrific La Liga season, but they lack the international experience which Diego Costa has. La Roja will be banking on him to ensure a fruitful World Cup.

#1 Right Winger- Dries Mertens (Belgium)

Like the right midfield position, there weren't many options available for us to pick players in the right wing position. So, the player who makes the cut is Belgium's, Dries Mertens.

Dries Mertens had failed to link with Hazard and Lukaku in the opening minutes but found his footing as the game progressed. He linked up well with Meunier in the second-half and scored an inch-perfect dipping valley in the 47th-minute to give Belgium the lead. The Napoli star even came close to scoring twice earlier, forcing a good save from Penedo and then hitting the side-netting.

The pundits are predicting Belgium for a semi-final finish and given their stalwart side, they can even achieve it. However, Mertens will have to pair-up more efficiently with Lukaku and Hazard to ensure so.

There you go; the Combined XI of Matchday 1 in FIFA World Cup 2018.

Matchday 1 Combined XI of FIFA World Cup 2018