🔥 Our team of the World Cup group stage | OneFootball

The group stage of the 2022 World Cup is done and dusted, and it will soon be time to get stuck into the knockout phase of the tournament.

But first, here’s our best XI of the group stage.

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GK: Wojciech Szczęsny – Poland

Came to his side’s rescue with penalty saves against both Saudi Arabia and Argentina and is a big reason why Poland are into the last 16.

RB: Achraf Hakimi – Morocco

Showed his quality to help Morocco advance, particularly in their victory over Belgium, and made the joint-most number of tackles in the group stage.

CB: Marquinhos – Brazil

Was a colossal, calming influence for Brazil at the back in their victories over Serbia and Switzerland and will be one of the first names on Tite’s team-sheet for as long as the Selecão are in the tournament.

CB: Harry Souttar – Australia

The tallest player at the World Cup made himself an Australian national hero with a last-ditch tackle to prevent a Tunisia equaliser. He’ll be relishing the prospect of facing Argentina in the round of 16.

LB: Theo Hernández – France

Lucas Hernández’s tournament-ending injury in France’s opening game against Australia was a heartbreaker for him, but he can take some comfort from the fact his brother is doing the family proud with some fine swashbuckling full-back displays in Qatar.

DM: Casemiro – Brazil

Scored one of the goals of the tournament so far to give Brazil their victory over Switzerland and has, according to Neymar, been “the best midfielder in the world for a long time”.

CM: Jude Bellingham – England

Scored an excellent goal in England’s win over Iran and has been an energetic box-to-box presence throughout the tournament for the Three Lions so far. Still only 19 yet already a special player.

CM: Bruno Fernandes – Portugal

The Manchester United man has pulled the strings excellently for Portugal and scored two goals in the win over Uruguay, despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s best efforts to claim one of them.

LW: Kylian Mbappé – France

His three goals so far make him a strong contender for the Golden Boot and at 23, he is already second on France’s all-time list of top scorers at World Cups. He could soon have second World Cup winner’s medal to add to his collection too.

CF: Cody Gakpo – Netherlands

Has been arguably the best player at the tournament so far with a goal in each of the Netherland’s three group games making observers around the world sit up and take notice. Only 23 yet already such a powerhouse.

RW: Lionel Messi – Argentina

Scored one of the most clutch goals of his entire career to break the deadlock for Argentina against Mexico last week and keeps his personal World Cup dream alive, for one more match at least.