Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny (Poland) — Two penalty saves in five days, including one from Lionel Messi, would have been sufficient for the Juventus custodian to make this spot his own. But Szczesny's heroics were not limited to spot kicks, particularly against Argentina, when he made a string of crucial interventions to keep Poland’s goal difference good enough to remain in the World Cup
Right centre-back: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) — While not as adventurous going forward as he is in club football, Hakimi has been instrumental in two famous Morocco wins, which saw them top Group F ahead of Croatia and Belgium. Hakimi has been defensively switched on throughout, besides making himself available whenever feasible on the right flank, with a steady supply of crosses, cut-backs and dribbles for his teammates to benefit from
Centre-back: Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal) — It was Koulibaly’s first-ever international goal that booked Senegal’s place in the World Cup knockouts for the first time in 20 years. The Senegal captain put in an immense display against Ecuador, winning his personal battle with Enner Valencia and shielding his defence with unquestionable authority and athleticism
Left centre-back: Harry Maguire (England) — Incessant scrutiny about his place in the England lineup has not stopped the Manchester United captain from being a rock at the back for the Three Lions in Qatar. Maguire was comfortably England’s best player against the US, even attempting an audacious dribble in the opponent’s penalty box. Against Wales, with the forward line firing again, Maguire was much quieter, but just as vital in ensuring Jordan Pickford kept a clean sheet
Defensive midfield: Casemiro (Brazil) — When his pass to Vinicius Junior led to a breakthrough goal that was overruled for offside against Switzerland, Casemiro simply stepped up and broke the deadlock himself. His swiftly taken half-volley, seven minutes from time, was just reward for Brazil’s midfield veteran, who seems to have returned to his imperious best after a sketchy opener against Serbia
Right-central midfield: Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) — In retrospect, Portugal fans may look upon their win against Uruguay as the moment the baton of MVP passed on from Cristiano Ronaldo to Fernandes. Portugal’s midfield general displayed his enduring class as well as his work rate by popping up practically everywhere in the middle and final thirds. Most importantly, he was on the scoresheet twice
Left-central midfield: Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) — An absolute revelation for La Albiceleste in midfield, the 21-year-old was Argentina’s most dynamic player in their last two group games. His sublime curling finish against Mexico was an instant highlight, but far more subtle was his assist for Julian Alvarez against Poland, which sealed Argentina’s place in the knockouts
Right wing: Lionel Messi (Argentina) — A trademark piledriver against Mexico gave Messi his first iconic moment of Qatar 2022, breaking the shackles for Argentina in a must-win encounter. Against Poland, Messi was more influential overall, pulling the strings and completing dribbles with ease, even though most fans will remember his performance for his inability to convert from 12 yards
Central-attacking midfield: Antoine Griezmann (France) — He may have just the one goal contribution — an assist against Denmark — to his name in Qatar thus far, but assessing the unquantifiable aspects of football mean that Griezmann has already been one of the finest performers of the tournament. With or without Olivier Giroud up front, the Atletico man has been dropping in between the lines and doubling up as a number 10 as well as an extra midfielder for France, with all the natural grace of a world-class talent
Left wing: Kylian Mbappe (France) — On current evidence, it will be impossible to displace Mbappe from our Team of the Week. At least as long as France are alive in Qatar. Mbappe was once again the matchwinner for Les Blues this past week, with his clinical brace against Denmark effectively qualifying France as the first defending champions to make it to the second round of the World Cup since Brazil in 2006
Striker: Choe Gue-sung (Korea Republic) — His nation may have scraped through to the knockouts, but Gue-sung has impressed everyone at Qatar with his star turn. Thanks largely to a brilliant showing against Ghana, where the striker upstaged teammate Song Heung-min to grab two goals, albeit in a losing cause. Both of Gue-sung’s goals were with his head, both were explosive and both will go down among the most memorable headers at this World Cup
