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The World Cup 2018 in Russia will go down in history as the World Cup with the most surprising match outcomes. Even in the build-up to the World Cup, there were surprising outcomes in the qualifying series.
Italy missed out on their first World Cup in sixty years, ensuring players like Buffon, Chiellini missed the tournament. Holland also missed qualification, ensuring players like Van Persie and Robben miss the tournament.
Alexis Sanchez and Chile also missed out on qualifying to the World Cup in Russia. As if these surprises were not enough, the tournament in Russia has proved to be really surprising and unpredictable as the qualifying series.
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Germany was kicked out of the group stage as the defending champions of the tournament. Croatia has been on an incredible run, Russia has shocked the World by eliminating Spain out of the competition.
Brazil has hugely underperformed, failing to meet the expectation as a tournament favourite. On the pitch, some players have announced themselves to the World with impressive performances, while others have exited the scene. Here, we bring you the most outstanding players of the tournament so far.
#5 John Stones
John Stones takes the No. 5 spot on our list. His performances in this tournament have been nothing short of outstanding.
As a ball playing defender, he has been influential in initiating attacks for his team. He has maintained an impressive average passing accuracy of 92% and has provided on average 2.4 interceptions in a match.
Also, he has been involved in 3.2 tackles averagely a match. He has provided on average 2.8 clearances in a match.
His influence has extended to the offensive aspect of his team, providing two goals in the tournament, the highest of any defender in the tournament.
He has won four aerials balls and has proved really effective in keeping his team's defence with as few as six conceded goals.
#4 Harry Kane
Harry Kane came to this tournament with huge expectations from his country, and he his performances so far have lived up to those expectations.
He has played a total of 440 minutes for his team and has provided more shots on target than any other striker in the tournament.
Kane has been England's most decisive and best player of the tournament so far, scoring six times to secure his team's place in the final four of the competition.
He has won an average of 5.2 aerial balls, keeping to his dominance in the air. He seems likely to leave the tournament as the highest goal scorer.
His goals have been really crucial to his team's success in the tournament.
#3 Eden Hazard
Belgium's golden generation have always been under pressure to win laurels for the national team after failing to win any trophy in their past tournaments.
As Belgium's talisman, a lot of the expectations rested on his shoulders, but his performances in this tournament have made sure he has left a good legacy for his national team by securing a bronze tournament.
As Belgium's most creative player, Hazard has really lived up to expectations and has been really influential in Belgium's impressive run in the tournament.
He has provided a total of four key passes and has an accurate passing average of 95%. He has made on average 8.2 dribbles per match, creating opportunities at goal for his team.
He has scored thrice and provided two assists for his team to secure them a place in the third position for his national team. Hazard has been the most influential player for his national team.
#2 Luka Modric
No one ever expected Modric to come this far in the tournament, but he has defied all odds and has produced extraordinary performances to win his national side its first silver medal in the history of the World Cup.
Modric was in scintillating form throughout the tournament, and he has been influential in his team's impressive run in the tournament thus far.
As Croatia's captain and playmaker, he has commanded control of the midfield and has created opportunities to aid his teammates.
He has an accurate passing average of 88.3% and has scored twice and provided one assist for his team.
As the playmaker of the team, he has been at the centre of almost every attack and has been there to inspire his team to victory. With his performances, Croatia has won silver at their first World Cup.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe takes the number one spot on our list. The French player has captivated the world with his brilliance, pace, and impressive foot skills and has left the football world savouring for more.
Mbappe has been the wonder kid of this tournament and has taken the football world by storm with his impressive performances for his national side.
Mbappe came to the World Cup quietly without a lot of expectations but has been the talking point of the tournament.
He has made an average of 8.2 dribbles per game and has scored four times to help his team win the competition. His performances in the tournament have drawn comparisons to Pele and Ronaldo's first World Cup appearances. He truly deserves the number one spot.
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
