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All hail Oscar Tabarez. The Maestro has been in charge of this Uruguay national team for what feels like forever, and he and his side showcased the very best of their qualities in Russia this time around. Tough, tenacious, nigh on impregnable at the back - with a team of superstars that play with the commitment and enthusiasm of freshers... La Celeste deserves all our respect.
And for this, in an era of vicious scapegoating...
Here, we pick out the three best performers for the team this World Cup 2018:
Note - This is part of a series that evaluates the three best performers of all the sides to have progressed to the knockout stages of the World Cup; an achievement that is not often given the credit it deserves. While the intent is to have an objective selection and ranking process, it's quite natural that at times subjectivity creeps in. If you disagree - vehemently, or otherwise - with the names on this list, please feel free to jot down a top 3 of your own in the comments section below
#3 Jose Gimenez
The Atletico pairing of Jose Gimenez and captain Diego Godin were as they are for their club - strong, nigh-on unbeatable, intelligent... impressive. The captain goes down a bit in our estimation for his miss from two yards against France, while Gimenez was effective in the air in the opposition box (especially in the Group Stages) - and it's the younger partner who gets the nod here.
Gary Neville, amongst others, slammed Jimenez for breaking down in tears with seven minutes to go against France -- but the emotion, the passion, was undeniable, the intangible made tangible, his love for his nation, and his love for his team coming to the fore in the purest form.
#2 Lucas Torreira
The sight of Cristiano Ronaldo flying in the air after being muscled off the ball by Lucas Torreira (a head shorter, and about a foot wider) was one of the abiding memories of this irreverent, utterly against the norm World Cup.
Built like a wild boar and as strong as one when in full flight, Torreira's belated introduction to the Uruguayan team added a spike that most opposition simply couldn't handle - Ronaldo's Portugal especially.
Just 22, and an Arsenal player for the 2017-18 season, Torreira is one to watch out for.
#1 Edinson Cavani
If you were to watch only club football, you'd be forgiven for thinking Edinson Cavani was a primadonna ballerina of the highest order. But then, if you were to watch Uruguay you'd do a 180-degree turn in your point of view.
Selfless, tireless, Cavani embodies the Uruguayan warrior spirit - alongside with that other A-grade superstar Luis Suarez - and his inimitable spirit and skill made Uruguay the team the deadly opposition they are.
As has been a common theme in this series - it was his absence that underlined just how important he is to the team's cause. Against France, both Suarez and Uruguay looked a little lost without the long-haired sniper up front.
