The group stage at the World Cup saw stunning performances from some of the world’s biggest players. Stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, and Isco lit up the opening round of the tournament in Russia with eye-catching displays, delivering when their teams needed them most.
Those three are among the players who make our group stage XI, which features some familiar names and a few unexpected ones, not to mention one beautiful story that gave the tournament one of its best moments.
Without further ado, here’s our full XI.
GK: Alireza Beiranvand, Iran
The Iran goalkeeper was the story of the first round. Beiranvand ran away from home at the age of 12 to pursue his football dream, and his journey to the World Cup included being temporarily homeless and picking up odd jobs like working as a car washer and a street cleaner to get by. But he put in superb displays against Morocco and Spain, and capped off his summer by saving a penalty from Ronaldo.
RB: Kieran Trippier, England
Trippier only made his England debut a year ago, but he’s made their right wingback spot his own. He delivered two solid performances for his side during the group stages, motoring up and down the right flank and showcasing his crossing ability with some pinpoint deliveries from both open play and set pieces. At 27, Trippier is somewhat of a late bloomer, but his rise has come at just the right time for England.
CB: Andreas Granqvist, Sweden
Granqvist is everything you want in a captain: fierce, vocal, commanding and with the quality to lead by example, there’s no doubt that the veteran defender’s presence lifts his Sweden side. Given his composure and leadership ability, perhaps the rarity of a centre-back being a side’s designated penalty taker – he scored two in the group stages – should come as no surprise in Sweden’s case. After all, is there anyone they’d trust more under pressure?
CB: Diego Godin, Uruguay
Like his partner in this XI, Godin is the stereotypical warrior defender, putting his body on the line and coaxing the best out of his teammates through sheer force of will and example. There were times in Uruguay’s opening two games where they were under the cosh, but Godin’s presence ensured they withstood any pressure. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani may grab the headlines, but Godin is the heart and soul of his team.
LB: Yuto Nagatomo, Japan
Japan’s veteran left-back has provided a disciplined, calm presence in a back-line that was thought to be vulnerable going into the tournament. That shouldn’t come as a surprise – six months ago, Nagatomo was scoring the winning penalty for Inter Milan in a shootout to send them to the Coppa Italia quarterfinals. The 31-year-old has been a beacon of solidity for Japan and offers plenty going forward, bagging an assist in the 2-2 draw with Senegal.
CM: Luka Modric, Croatia
Modric has been an utterly inspirational captain and player for Croatia. He ran the show against Nigeria and scored a penalty, but it was in the stunning 3-0 win over Argentina that he truly earned his salt. The Real Madrid man bossed the game, taking it by the scruff of the neck as if he’d decided there was absolutely no way he was going to lose. It was fitting he graced the occasion with a wonder goal.
CM: Isco, Spain
Isco is a magical player at the top of his game right now, stepping into his role as the team’s clear star player with authority and class. The way the 26-year-old directs Spain’s play with a simple but deadly flick of his foot is a joy to behold. Isco’s wispy running style, sublime trickery, and eye for a pass or a goal has been the outstanding, defining feature of Spain’s play at the World Cup.
CM: Philippe Coutinho, Brazil
Coutinho’s form in the group stages has prompted talk that he, not Neymar, is Brazil’s best player right now. It should be noted that he benefits from the attention his colleague draws from opposition defences, but there’s also a sense that Coutinho is loving his status as a star player for his side. Two goals – including a stunner against Switzerland – and an assist show just how much he is relishing the responsibility that status brings.
ST: Romelu Lukaku, Belgium
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Lukaku is just 25 – especially when you consider his standing in Belgium’s history. The Manchester United striker headed into this tournament already holding the title of his country’s leading scorer. Since then, he’s scored four more times, two braces apiece against Panama and Tunisia. He’s now Belgium’s leading scorer at European championships and World Cups, with a combined seven goals, and he’s a leading contender for the Golden Boot.
ST: Harry Kane, England
After he started his tournament with a match-winning brace against Tunisia, Kane said he wants to be like Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and considered among the best players in the world. For many players, that would sound like bravado, but with England’s captain there’s a sense that he’s simply always challenging himself. He’s not doing badly – a hat-trick against Panama put him atop the Golden Boot standings.
ST: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Ronaldo’s penalty miss against Beiranvand and Iran is the only thing that has him trailing Kane in the Golden Boot race. He can be forgiven the occasional lapse, however, when he produces performances like his hat-trick against Spain, sealed with a stunning 88th minute free-kick that salvaged a draw. His team may depend on him too much, but he backs himself to deliver under the pressure that brings – and why would anyone doubt him?
