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Russia currently is where every footballer, every football fan, every coach or anyone who is slightly connected to football wants to be. FIFA World Cup is the quadrennial tournament we wait for every 4 years.
If surprises, shocks and upsets are ranked by then this world cup ranks on the very top.
Germany got eliminated at group stage thus following the path of former defending champions. This was the fourth time in last 5 world cups that the defending champions were knocked out in the group stage itself. This was the first time Germany failed to qualify beyond the group stage.
The big dogs Spain lost out to hosts Russia surprisingly in the round of 16 to join the likes of Messi led Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal on the way home. With more than half the tournament completed, we have got our top 8 teams. The quarterfinalists are lined up and one of these teams will lift the prestigious FIFA world cup title. Despite the exit of Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo there still are a number of players capable of lighting up the arena. These players have proved to be the man for their team.
Every team has good players but there are certain players capable of providing the X-factor. These players are capable of turning the game on its head and are the reason for their team still in the hunt for the world cup glory.
Let us see which player stands out the as the MVP for the final 8 sides:
France - Kylian Mbappe
The French team is filled with superstars who will slide into any side of the world with ease. From Paul Pogba’s dynamic midfield presence to Antoine Griezmann’s goalscoring exploits the French side is running on all cylinders. But their main man has been the 19-year-old forward Kylian Mbappe. What an amazing phase he is having.
His prolific goalscoring earned him a transfer to PSG and the fiery forward hasn't disappointed. Mbappe has been sensational for France and was the main reason for their victory over Argentina in the round of 16. Mbappe single-handedly turned the game in the favour of France by scoring 2 goals.
Mbappe ran past Argentina's defence to record the fastest speed in this world cup. The psg forward has been one of the stars of the tournament and France will hope that he continues his dream run.
Uruguay- Edinson Cavani
Uruguay have been the best defensive unit so far in this world cup. Diego Godin has been spot on with his defensive duties and will expect his side to continue their great form against France in the quarterfinals.
But the man who helped them beat Portugal in the last 16 was Edinson Cavani. The PSG striker has been clinical in front of the goal with 3 goals to his name. It takes some doing to be the MVP of a team consisting of Luis Suarez in the ranks but Cavani has been that good.
Edinson Cavani had a great season with PSG winning yet another Ligue 1 title.
He scored a sensational brace Uruguay's victory over Portugal in the round of 16 to set up a gigantic clash with France in the quarterfinals
Uruguay will rely upon him for the goods upfront to reach the last 4 and eventually have a shot at world cup glory.
Brazil- Neymar
Well, it just makes the selection process easier when you have Neymar in the ranks. Brazil are the favourites for FIFA world cup in Russia and Neymar is a major reason for this. He has been in goals this term as well and with his link-up play with Phillipe Coutinho, Brazil's attack looks scary.
neymar is the man of the samba nation. Brazil missed him in their humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in the previous world cup. Brazil managed to reach the semi-finals but a Neymar less team failed to give the Germans any difficulty. This might be the year when Neymar does what other legendary Brazillian forwards have successfully done- Bring home the cup!
Brazil does have a very good team with the likes of Coutinho, Willian, Silva to name a few but Neymar is the man who shines the most when needed.
He opened the scoring for Brazil in their encounter with Mexico in the round of 16 and will be the man to watch out for in brazil’s clash against Belgium
Belgium- Eden hazard
If Brazil have Neymar then Belgium have Eden Hazard. The Chelsea winger is undoubtedly one the best players of the world. On his day the Belgian is capable of running a riot.
His masterclass was on show as Belgium came back from 0-2 to beat Japan 3-2 to reach the last 8. Though hazard didn’t score he still was a major threat every time Belgium went for an attack. With 2 goals & 2 assists, the Belgian is having a great world cup. If Belgium are to win the tournament then they’ll need hazard to be at his very best.
Belgium have some world-class stars in their camp. Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Jan Vertonghen to name a few but it is Eden hazard who scares the opposition the most.
Great control, an eye for goal and scintillating speed the Belgian has got every ingredient to be one of the best in the world.
Consistency is the key for Eden hazard to succeed.
Russia - Denis Cheryshev
The 27-year-old left winger has been in sensational form throughout this world cup. Scoring twice in Russia's rout of Saudi Arabia in the opening fixture of FIFA world cup 2018, Cheryshev has been on a song ever since.
The hosts have reached the last 8 for the very first time in their history thanks to Cheryshev's energetic display on the field.
The former Real Madrid man was left out of Russia's starting lineup against Spain in the round of 16 but came on as a substitute and was a major threat on the left wing there on.
Russia faces Croatia next in the quarterfinals and the hosts of FIFA world cup 2018 will heavily rely on their left winger to produce the goods.
Croatia- Luka Modric
Croatia did survive a scare against a resilient Denmark side in the round of 16 to reach the quarterfinals. The MVP for Croatia is the man who missed to convert a penalty in the extra time to put the game to bed.
Luka Modric is one the best midfielders of the world- something that need not be mentioned. The former Spurs midfielder has been sensational for real Madrid. Modric has been integral to Real's success in champion leage8ue.
Croatia beat Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland in the group stage to reach the round of 16. Modric has been credited with Croatia's sensational display in Russia. Though not amongst goals all the time, the Croatian controls the game and is the driving force on the field. He did score an amazing goal against Argentina to seal Croatia's top spot in the group D.
Modric and co. face the hosts Russia next in the quarterfinals.
Sweden- Andreas Granqvist
The Swedish captain has been rock solid this world cup. This might be the last world cup for Andreas Granquist and he is making sure to leave a lasting impression.
The 33-year-old centre-back has been in the goals as well scoring twice in Sweden's world cup campaign so far,
The 2017 Swedish footballer of the year managed to keep Xherdan Shaqiri's Switzerland quiet in the round of 16 as Sweden progressed to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory.
The next challenge for Sweden is England- a side they share quite a history with.
If there is someone who can stop Harry Kane then it has to be Andreas Granquist. Sweden will depend upon their skipper against a dynamic English attack.
England- Harry Kane
Who else but the England skipper Harry Kane. With 6 goals to his name, Harry Kane is FIFA world cup 2018's leading goalscorer. The Tottenham striker has been devastating in the front.
Kane has maintained his calm when needed as he has converted 3 out of 3 penalties, one of which came against Columbia in the round of 16. England rely upon their captain for goals, a pressure Harry Kane is relishing.
His hattrick against Panama was only the second time an English man had scored a hattrick at world cup level.
With England's next encounter up against Sweden, a side with a great defensive record so far Harry Kane will need to at his mercurial best to get England closer to the world cup title.
