WITH the 2022 World Cup less than two weeks away, fans will find themselves casting their memories back to the previous tournament.
The 2018 edition in Russia threw up a number of surprise performers that made for an incredible team of the tournament.
England reached the semi-finals before crashing out in heartbreaking fashion to Croatia in extra-time.
But the Three Lions still had two representatives in Fifa’s World Cup team of the tournament.
Kieran Tripper, then at Tottenham, was an unsurprising inclusion at right-back after a superb campaign which included a stunning free-kick in the semi-final defeat to Croatia.
Ashley Young was also named in the team of the tournament after being a regular in the team that reached the semi-finals.
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The ex-Manchester United man even provided an assist for Harry Maguire in the 2-0 quarter-final win over Sweden.
There was no place for Harry Kane in the team of the tournament, despite the Three Lions talisman scooping the golden boot.
Instead Kylian Mbappe nabbed the striker spot in the team of the tournament after scoring four goals on his way to lifting the trophy with France.
Antoine Griezmann was also included for his four goals and two assists in just seven games.
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But one of the more surprising names from the XI is Dejan Lovren.
While the unpredictable defender never really proved his worth at Liverpool, the Croatian was superb in helping his nation to the final.
And Lovren was rewarded for his performances with a place in the team of the tournament.
Spurs flop Paulinho is another name not many would have guessed as one of the best 11 stars from Russia 2018.
Then on loan at Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande from Barcelona, Paulinho started all, five of Brazil’s games before they were beaten in the quarters by Belgium.
He even chipped in with a goal in the 2-0 group stage win over Serbia.
World Cup winners Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane joined France team-mates Griezmann and Mbappe in the XI.
Luka Modric was named in the team after starring for Croatia in their incredible run to the final, with the midfielder also scooping the Ballon d’Or later that year.
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Belgium star Eden Hazard is the final name on the list after scoring three goals and providing two assists in six games at the tournament.
There was no place for Cristiano Ronaldo – despite his stunning hat-trick against Spain in the group stages.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
