Ian JohnWe are now well into the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup, with the final set of two games set to be played today and then we will know the full line up for the quarter finals.
We already know that three of those games will see the Netherlands face Argentina, England take on France and Brazil will face Croatia. Today either Spain or Morocco will go through to take on Portugal or Switzerland in the final quarter final.
But before that, we can look back on what was an exciting group stage which saw a number of huge shock results with the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Denmark all going down to surprise defeats.
Indeed, no team qualified for the Round of 16 having won all three games, and only three teams managed to claim seven points, England, Netherlands and Morocco.
It was an exciting group stage and we have decided to give you our team of the group stages outlined below based on performances in those group games alone.
Of course, you can still find plenty of great betting on the FIFA World Cup at bet365 Sport, with an outstanding range of bets on every game, including pre-match and In Play betting, and you can still also find outright betting on some of the major markets, such as tournament winner and leading goalscorer.
But for now, let’s see who impressed the most in their three group stage games to earn a place in our Group Stage team of the tournament.
FIFA World Cup 2022 – Team Of The Group Stage
For this team, we have elected to go to a 4-3-3 formation as most teams seem to be operating with a system that matches this or is a variation on it (4-3-1-2 for example).
So here are our selections in each of the positions.
- Goalkeeper – Wojciech Szczesny (Poland) – 3 games, 2 penalty saves, 2 clean sheets
Poland have a huge debt of thanks to their goalkeeper Szczesny after he saved two penalties in the group stages, including one from Lionel Messi, as the Poles squeaked past Mexico to claim a spot in the last 16. The Juventus keeper has been the standout keeper of the group phase so far edging out the likes Jordan Pickford of England and Shuichi Gonda of Japan.
- Right Back – Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) – 3 games 1 assist, 2 clean sheets 1 goal conceded.
The Paris St Germain full back is a key part of what is an outstanding Moroccan defence at this World Cup. Not only has the defence conceded just one goal in three games, but Hakimi also is hugely influential going forward down that right flank and he is a major threat from set plays too.
- Left Back – Daley Blind (Netherlands) – 3 games, 2 clean sheets
The veteran left back has been viewed as one of the weaker links in the Dutch defence for this World Cup but he has been rock solid for them contributing at both ends of the pitch and helping his team keep two clean sheets. He was given a test by Ecuador, but has played very well in the Dutch team’s other games.
- Centre Back 1 – Josko Gvardiol (Croatia) – 3 games, 2 clean sheets, 1 goal conceded
The mask-wearing Red Bull Leipzig centre back has seen his growing reputation at this World Cup enhanced with a trio of excellent performances at the heart of the Croatia defence, aged just 20. Tall, powerful, good in the air and quick on the ground, he has all the qualities to become one of the best centre backs in the world in the next four years.
- Centre Back 2 – Rodri (Spain) – 3 games, 2 goals conceded
It is not even his best position, but the Manchester City anchoring midfielder earns his spot in the team as being the rock at the heart of the Spanish defence. He wasn’t tested by Costa Rica but was superb against Germany and his calming influence at the back is a huge part of what this young Spain team requires moving forward in this tournament.
- Defensive Midfielder – Casemiro (Brazil) – 2 games, 1 goal, 2 clean sheets
There were a number of contenders for this role, Rabiot of France, Rice of England and Endo of Japan have caught the eye, but Casemiro has been the focal point for Brazil in both games he has played, providing defensive solidity to allow their creative players to express themselves and he weighed in with the key goal in that 1-0 win over Switzerland too.
- Central Midfielder 1 – Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) – 3 games, 0 goals
There hasn’t been too many outstanding central midfield displays in this World Cup. Croatia’s Mateo Kovacic was close here but I think Rodrigo De Paul has become a key man for Argentina, providing the balance to let Messi does what he has to do to inspire the team and his workrate and effort in the team’s cause has been superb.
- Central Midfielder 2 – Jude Bellingham (England) – 3 games, 1 goal
For me, Bellingham has been the best midfielder in the tournament. He scored the opening goal against Iran for England and his performances in the games with Iran and Wales in particular were superb. He is still only 19 and there’s still plenty of room for him to improve as a player which is frightening given how good he is already. Dortmund have a superstar on their hands.
- Left Side Attacker – Kylian Mbappe (France) – 3 games, 3 goals
A World Cup is about the best players showing their talents and Kylian Mbappe has been the best player at this World Cup. His electric pace, directness and outstanding finishing ability has seen him become the focal point for a France side that is blessed with so much talent, but none of the others shine as brightly as Mbappe who is now regarded, rightly, as the world’s best player and he’s proving it at this World Cup.
- Right Side Attacker – Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) – 3 games, 3 goals
Gini Wijnaldum’s injury absence was a big blow to the Dutch team, but Cody Gakpo has taken on the number 8 shirt and produced a trio of outstanding performances, scoring in each group stage game to be a key part of why the Netherlands topped their group and remained undefeated in the tournament. He will command big money if he does indeed move on from PSV Eindhoven in January as rumours are suggesting. He’s a bit out of position here, but he had to be in this team.
- Central Striker – Richarlison (Brazil) – 2 games, 2 goals
Tottenham’s Brazilian has been a lucky omen for the Brazil national team over the last year or so and he continued that great form with a superb double in the win over Serbia, the second an outstanding bicycle kick. He was also a threat against Switzerland and he is becoming a key focal point of this outstanding young Brazilian attack.
Remember to check back here at the end of the tournament in late December to see who made it into our team of the tournament and to see whether our pick for the winner proved to be correct or not.
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