🌏 🏆 Best XI of the Women’s World Cup Round of 16 | OneFootball

Eight are heading home, eight remain, but who shone in the Women’s World Cup Round of 16?

GK: Zećira Mušović (Sweden)

Playing against the US, Mušović was the standout player of the entire round and perhaps the standout performance of the entire tournament to date, especially for a goalkeeper. Her series of superb saves kept the world champions at bay before Sweden finished the job on penalties.

CB: Magdalena Eriksson (Sweden)

The former Chelsea defender showed her positional awareness, constant calm, and pure grit throughout that game against the USWNT, keeping Alex Morgan and then Sophie Smith very quiet indeed as she got in the way of whatever she could.

CB: Alex Greenwood (England)

Greenwood’s ability on the ball has been important for England on their run so far and the Nigeria game was no different. Her delivery from dead ball situations also provides a consistent threat and the defender has proven to be a more than capable replacement for injured captain Leah Williamson.

CB: Ashleigh Plumptre (Nigeria)

Plumptre was outstanding performance in Nigeria’s back five. In fact, the entire Nigeria defence was, with chances for England few and far between, but it was the 25-year-old who really impressed as the left-sided centre-back, offering help on the ball too (and hitting the bar) when she wasn’t snuffing out danger.

RM: Risa Shimizu (Japan)

A threat from wide areas has been a common theme for Japan this summer and their win over Norway was no different, with Shimizu getting forward to score and provide a constant threat just as team-mate Jun Endō has on the opposite flank in previous games.

CM: Yui Hasegawa (Japan)

For all the excitement and free-flowing football Japan have offered, it is anchored in the poise and control provided by Hasegawa in the middle. The metronome of the tournament’s most impressive team to date was at it again in the win over Norway.

CM: Christy Ucheibe (Nigeria)

Ucheibe was rock solid in midfield as Nigeria kept England at bay and threatened on the break. The outstanding midfielder on the pitch, the Benfica star won possession consistently and was reliable with the ball at her feet.

CM: Aitana Bonmatí (Spain)

Always ready to offer a touch of class and more than a pinch of end product, Bonmatí netted twice, with both goals bearing a striking resemblance to her strike against Costa Rica in the group stage.

LM: Caitlin Foord (Australia)

Foord has had a tough tournament without Sam Kerr up top for Australia but she looked at her unselfish and excellent best against Denmark, scoring the opener with a cool finish and providing a consistent threat.

ST: Kadidatou Diani (France)

A goal and two assists for the France striker, who just as easily could have missed out here with team-mate Eugénie Le Sommer getting the nod instead.

ST: Mary Fowler (Australia)

Fowler provided what is surely the assist of the tournament to date with her stunning through ball for Foord’s opener. The youngest player in the Australia squad, the striker stepped into Sam Kerr’s role excellently when it was needed most.