World Cup 2018: Breakout stars XI 

CM: Aleksandr Golovin

Golovin in action for Russia at the World Cup

Aleksandr Golovin could be familiar with Arsenal fans, as the CSKA Moscow midfielder scored an absolute screamer against the Gunners in the Europa League earlier this year. But now the rest of the world is fully aware of the Russian’s talents after his scintillating displays for the host nation at the World Cup.

The 22-year-old netted a similarly spectacular free-kick, and provided two assists, in the World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia before going on to run the show in the host’s 3-1 victory over Egypt. The player was vital to the team in their next games against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay as well as the hosts progressed from the group.

Golovin the industrious, creative force then proved to be Russia’s key man in their surprise second-round win over Spain, also coolly netting a penalty in an unbearably tense penalty shootout.

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is expected to sign the player for the club and could be a big addition to the squad.

CM: Juan Quintero

Qunitero in action for Columbia

Juan Quintero had a point to prove in Russia as he carried the mantle for Colombia coming into the tournament. The midfielder was inevitably overshadowed at Brazil 2014 by teammate James Rodriguez and has spent the subsequent four years bouncing around from club to club on loan from Porto trying to prove his worth.

Yet the diminutive playmaker has squashed all possible doubts and has made European clubs sit up and take notice with his brilliant group-stage displays.

The 25-year-old played a part in three of his nation’s five goals, setting up Radamel Falcao and Yerry Mina against Poland and Senegal respectively, while he scored the tournament’s cheekiest free-kick in Colombia’s shock 2-1 defeat to Japan. Quintero has finally etched his mark on the world stage and proven his footballing worth despite the country's penalty defeat to England in the round of 16.