World Cup 2018: Team of the round of 16

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Kylian Mbappe (France)

What a sensation this teenager is!

Lionel Messi was expected to be the centre of attention when Argentina and France lined-up, but all eyes were on Mbappe at the final whistle. He became the first teenager since Pele to score twice in a World Cup knockout match, and he also produced a brilliant run to help win the penalty from which France went ahead. It takes quite something to be the star man of a team containing the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba at the age of 19, but Mbappe’s got it all.

Willian (Brazil)

Neymar took the headlines for all the right and wrong reasons after Brazil’s game against Mexico. Sadly, it was mainly for the wrong reasons, after he came up with yet another overreaction after being stood on by Miguel Layun. Willian however put in a key performance, and was key to everything that Brazil did well. He helped set up Neymar’s goal with a good run and cross. You feel he will need to be at his best if they are to go all the way.

Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)

In the last two World Cups, it has been Luis Suarez who has taken all the headlines for Uruguay, but it was finally Cavani who takes the credit after his double against Portugal sent them through to the quarters.

He linked well with the Barcelona man for the first goal, which seemed to go in off his face, before brilliantly curling home the winner. There are concerns over his fitness heading into the quarter finals, and Uruguay will need him to be back at his best if they are to progress.