World Cup 2018: The best South American XI 

CB: Yerry Mina (Colombia)

Mina, Colombia's own Sergio Ramos?

Despite having some remarkably talented attackers in the ranks, Colombia found an unlikely source of goals from their centre-back Yerry Mina, who remains the most prolific defender of the competition with three goals, all headers and all coming through set-pieces.

He first scored the opener against Poland, then netted the winner against Senegal, before giving the Cafeteros another chance for success by heading home in the dying embers against England and force an extra-time.

With James Rodriguez missing a chunk of time through niggling injuries, Mina took over the scoring mantle and made sure his presence wasn't really felt at the other end. He may have bats in his belfry as his shenanigans in the last 16 game would suggest, but defensively he was solid too.

He registered an incredible 21 clearances in 3 appearances, and further accentuated his aerial prowess by attempting 18 defensive aerial duels, both of which were highest by a Colombian.

CB: Jose Gimenez (Uruguay)

Gimenez saved Uruguay the blushes in the opening game

The mortar to Godin's brick in the impenetrable Uruguayan fortress, Gimenez starred alongside his skipper at the heart of the backline and got Celeste off the mark with a late winner against Egypt in the opening game.

His terrific reading of the game saw him average 3.3 interceptions per game whilst also breaking up opposition play with his crisp tackles. He also averaged over 5 clearances in the 4 appearances he made.

His partnership with Godin was one of the highlights of Uruguay's campaign and despite the injury that ruled him out from the final group game against Russia, returned to the fold strongly for the knockouts to put on a dominant display.