Here is Dhaka Tribune Sport's best XI from the group stage of the Fifa World Cup 2022 Qatar, with two players each from world champions France and star-studded Brazil, and one apiece from Argentina, Canada, England, Morocco, the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal:
(4-1-2-3)
Wojciech Szczesny (Poland)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Thiago Silva (Brazil), Harry Maguire (England), Alphonso Davies (Canada)
Casemiro (Brazil)
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal), Antoine Griezmann (France)
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Kylian Mbappe (France)
Goalkeeper
Wojciech Szczesny (Poland/Juventus)
Many things can be said about this guy who is unarguably the best goalkeeper of the tournament so far. He made as many as 18 saves which is highest by any keeper, and his two spectacular penalty saves against Saudi Arabia and Argentina propelled Poland to the last 16.
Defenders
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG)
Hailed as best right-back of the world by his club, the Spain-born defender showed his class from the first game against Croatia and kept it calm against Belgium as well to keep consecutive clean-sheets. He made 13 tackles, jointly highest, and also provided two assists, one of those is among the best of the group stage.
Thiago Silva (Brazil/Chelsea)
The 38-year old center-back proved his doubters wrong with solid presence at the heart of defence in the first two games against Serbia and Switzerland wearing the captain's armband. He was rested against Cameroon and the team conceded their first goal of the tournament as well as the defeat.
Harry Maguire (England/Man Utd)
Maguire also hit back to his critics right from the beginning and carried on consistency in all three group encounters. During their toughest match against the USA, he completed 82 passes and attempted 33 line breaks to keep the clean-sheet.
Alphonso Davies (Canada/Bayern)
He was deployed for free role roaming around the field when needed and caused headache to Belgium defence with his pace and skill in the opener but missed a penalty against Thibaut Courtois. He sparked alone against Croatia to score the country's first-ever goal at World Cup but started on right-wing against Morocco.
Midfielders
Casemiro (Brazil/Man Utd)
The talismanic defensive midfielder impressed in two games he played with rock-solid display to keep the balance between midfield and defence. Then, his stunning winner against Switzerland assured his side's qualification to the knockout stages.
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal/Man Utd)
Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was overshadowed by the performance of him in the first two games both played. The playmaker scored two and assisted twice in four goals of the team's five to progress to the last 16 before being rested for South Korea game which they lost.
Antoine Griezmann (France/Atletico)
Fielded into the midfield in the opening game against Australia, he shone brightly knitting the attackers together and carried on the same rhythms against Denmark with an assist, three key passes and five accurate long balls. He looked penetrating on the center attacking zone and also provided a total nine crosses for the teammates before being rested for the last group game.
Forwards
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands/PSV)
He was a consistent performer for the Dutch being one of the only two players in Qatar who scored in all three group matches along with Spain's Alvaro Morata. The forward also exhibited his capability to score off either foot while establishing himself as a reliable partner for Memphis Depay at the age of 23.
Kylian Mbappe (France/PSG)
Mbappe is a menacing force for any opponent and it was evident during the two games he played to relieve the side of Karim Benzema's absence. He scored one against Australia in the opener before hitting a double against Denmark to secure a knockout berth, and was rested for the last game.
Lionel Messi (Argentina/PSG)
The great phenomenon has been a true source of inspiration and motivation for the whole team and guided them towards a crucial victory over Mexico with a tricky, stunning goal after shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opener where he too scored one. He through missed penalty against an outstanding Szczesny in the decisive group match, but recovered well to inspire the team to a comfortable win.
