France’s World Champions dominate Team of the Tournament

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FourFourTwoSA selects the World Cup team of the Tournament as France’s World Cup Champions make their mark, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

Formation: 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
The Chelsea shot-stopper not only won the Golden Glove award in Russia but also put in a number of top-class performances throughout the tournament by making vital saves in vital moments. Courtois was magnificent against Brazil in the quarters and then repeated that performance against France to keep his side in the game after going a goal down.

READ: Belgium’s Courtois wins World Cup Golden Glove

Right back: Kieran Trippier (England)
The young Englishman enjoyed a break-out tournament with the Three Lions and has certainly become a household name after his stellar performances. Trippier not only defended well down the right flank but he also offered an attacking threat with his dangerous crossing ability, whether that be from open play or from dead-ball situations.

Centre back: Raphael Varane (France)
The Real Madrid defender was imperious at the back for France throughout their journey to glory. Varane showed great pace and power, all while expertly reading the game to ensure that the French defence remained rock solid. Varane of course also offered a threat in the oppositions box as well, with his header against Uruguay in a 2-0 win proving vital at the time.

Centre back: Diego Godin (Uruguay)
The veteran defender reminded everyone of his quality in Russia. Godin not only put his body on the line, by making last-ditch tackles and blocks aplenty, but what was most impressive was his ability to organise his side, ensuring that they kept their shape and were difficult to break down on their run to the quarter-finals.

Left back: Lucas Hernandez (France)
The Atletico Madrid defender may not have been Didier Deschamp’s first choice left back leading into the tournament but once Hernandez got his chance in Russia he grabbed it with both hands. The defender played every game of France’s run to glory proving astute in defence and a threat going forward.

Right centre midfield: Luca Modric (Croatia)
Not only did the mercurial midfielder win the Golden Ball, all but securing his spot in the team of the tournament, but he put in the type of display’s that had fans and players drooling over. Modric was phenomenal throughout as he combined with his teammates to help dominate the midfield battles. Modric ran himself into the ground for his nation and thoroughly deserved to be named the tournament’s best player.

READ MORE: World Cup final player ratings

Centre midfield: N’golo Kante (France)
Chelsea’s defensive midfielder has experienced a meteoric rise since 2015 and he continued to enhance his reputation with his performances in Russia. As always Kante swept up any danger in front of the French defence, with his work-rate and defensive thinking proving the perfect foil to Paul Pogba.

Left centre midfield: Paul Pogba (France)
The Manchester United man proved many doubters wrong with his performances for France this World Cup. Pogba showed his all-round ability in Russia, he broke up play, started off attacks with some brilliant long-range passing, and even got on the end of things by scoring a goal in the final and forcing an own-goal in his side’s opening day victory over Australia.

READ MORE: Mbappe wins World Cup Young Player award

Right forward: Kylian Mbappe (France)
The Young Player of the Tournament enhanced his ever-growing reputation with some scintillating performances in Russia. Mbappe proved difficult to handle for every defence that he came up against with his match winning performance against Argentina standing-out as one of the highlights of the tournament. Mbappe became only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final, after the great Pele, and finished the tournament with four goals.

Striker: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Although his four-goals were vital in the early stages for Belgium, it was Lukaku’s work rate and running off the ball that proved vital in the knockout stages for his nation and caught the attention of fans across the globe. Lukaku’s power and pace up-front was vital in stretching Belgium’s opponents and creating space for the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard.

Left forward: Eden Hazard (Belgium)
The Belgian captain was phenomenal for his side in Russia as he helped them secure their highest ever finish in the tournaments history, third place. Hazard finished the tournament as the Silver Ball winner after his three goals and two assists and has enhanced his already lofty status among the best players in the world.

SUBSTITUTES: Jordan Pickford (England), Sime Vrsaljko (Croatia), Thomas Meunier (Belgium), Harry Maguire (England), Ivan Perišić (Croatia), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Harry Kane (England)

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Dean Workman