World Cup 2018: The Best Combined XI from the Round-of-16

Central midfield

Yet another masterful show from the midfielder

Ivan Rakitic (Croatia)

Part of the stunning Croatian midfield, the Modric-Rakitic system has become almost too compatible to separate one from the other. Modric might have missed his penalty in extra time, but Raktic got his revenge by scoring the winning penalty of the game.

After an excellent group stage, the Barcelona midfield carried over his form to the RO16 and was instrumental in attack. He had 102 touches on the ball and completed 70 passes during the game with 2 dribbles, 2 tackles and 2 interceptions to his name.

Casemiro took one for the team and will have to sit out the game against Belgium

Casemiro (Brazil)

Casemiro will miss the next game against Belgium and might be the player Brazil miss the most during the quarterfinals, as he received a yellow card for a tactical foul against Mexico and needs to serve out his suspension in the quarters.

Neymar reported an admiration for his team's defence that has gone under the shadow of their enormous attacking talent, and Casemiro as the defending midfielder is where things are really at. Just like at Real Madrid, he rarely ventures out of position and plays as the third centre-back when the ball is in the other half.

Against Mexico, Casemiro had 6 tackles to his name, 3 clearances and won 3 aerials. He was the major part of why Mexico's pace on the ball did not trouble the Brazilians - something Germany missed sorely in their encounter.

The Manchester United playmaker played a major role in the French midfield

Paul Pogba (France)

Paul Pogba has blown hot and cold so far, but in the game against Argentina, he really stepped up. Along with Kante, Pogba played the role of a defensive midfielder, but he was mostly involved as a Regista with Kante staying back.

Drogba on Paul Pogba’s performance yesterday. ✅ #MUFC #Pogba pic.twitter.com/VwQoT27h6n

— United Section (@UnitedSection) July 1, 2018

He was also heavily involved in the defensive side of things, with 2 tackles, 3 clearances and 2 interceptions to his name. On the attacking side of things, he completed 2 dribbles and won 2 headers for his team, along with using his physique to shield the ball away from the Argentines.

After being overshadowed by Kante's work rate for most of the tournament, it was finally a worthy performance from the Manchester United midfielder and one that will earn him a little more respect from the French fans.

Two assists were not enough to assure passage to the next round

Honorary mention: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi will have to wait for 4 more years for yet another shot at the World Cup, and whether he will play another WC remains to be seen, but he almost took Argentina home against France - and pretty much of his own accord.

Playing as the False-9 (Why, we do not know and cannot fathom), he dropped at times to the role of a deep-lying playmaker to help out against a superior French midfield. He delivered 2 assists on the night, but it was too near yet too far for him - even more so than the last occasion.