Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both crashed out in the round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but there were many stars who performed brilliantly, including teen sensation Kylian Mbappe. Here is a starting XI of players who impressed the most in the last 16!
Click through the gallery above to see our best XI from the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup.
Russia 2018's round of 16 came to a dramatic end on Tuesday night, when England defeated Colombia on penalties, and as has been the theme throughout the tournament so far, there was not a single anti-climactic fixture.
Players stepped up and performed when their nations needed them most, but there are only 11 places in our team of the last 16. In goal, Russia's veteran shot-stopper Igor Akinfeev was an obvious choice following his all-important penalty save that sent his team to the quarter-finals of the competition.
The 32-year-old pulled off a smart stop from an Iago Aspas spot-kick in their dreaded penalty shootout on Sunday afternoon, and also denied Koke moments before. At left-back, Uruguay's Diego Laxalt stood out with his showing against Portugal, while Benjamin Pavard has been chosen at right-back for the wonder goal he scored against Argentina.
The centre-back pairing consists of Colombia's Yerry Mina, who scored his third goal in three matches in Los Cafeteros' defeat to England on Tuesday evening, and Brazil's experienced defender Thiago Silva, who was on also on target in their round of 16 game.
In midfield, France's Paul Pogba and Uruguay's Lucas Torreira were picked for their dominant displays in the centre of the park in the last 16, while Sweden's Emil Forsberg completes the trio. The RB Leipzig player scored the goal that sent his team through to the quarter-finals, and was a constant threat to Switzerland's backline.
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Mbappe, a 19-year-old phenomenon, has unsurprisingly been picked in attack for the two goals he scored against Argentina, while two-goal hero Edinson Cavani is also a part of a three-man frontline that is rounded up by Brazil star Willian.
Would you make any changes to this team? Let us know in the comments section below.
