World Cup 2018: Top 4 forwards who played for less than 90 minutes 

The FIFA World Cup has come to an end after a month. It will definitely go down as one of the best World Cup's ever played. It sprang many surprises throughout and the contenders like Brazil and Spain couldn't even make it to the semi-final. Germany was knocked out in the group stage itself due to a defeat against South Korea. It has been the hardest fought World Cup in which underdogs were a million times better than the favorites.

However, it was France who came out triumphant and made sure that they didn't become prey to the underdogs. They came into the tournament as the best team and left it as the best team.

Although France came out triumphant, the entire limelight wasn't on them. Rather, it was on teams like Croatia, England and Russia who shocked the world with their superb performances. Croatia finished runners-up to France while Belgium took home the Bronze medal. Croatia's talisman, Luka Modric took home the Golden Ball while Kylian Mbappe bagged the Best Young Player Award.

Harry Kane and Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Boot and Golden Glove respectively. Although it was these stars who ran away with the limelight, there were a few stars who didn't get the opportunity to play for a substantial amount of time as well.

In this article, we look at 4 such star forwards who played for less than 90 minutes throughout the tournament.

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#1 Paulo Dybala

The star Argentine forward has made a name for himself as one of most lethal strikers on the planet. He was expected to play a pivotal role for Argentina in the World Cup but he didn't get the opportunities as Aguero, Di Maria and Higuain were preferred by Sampaoli, to support Lionel Messi.

The Juventus forward was in brilliant form coming into the tournament as he scored 22 goals in 33 appearances for Juventus and contributed with 5 assists in the Serie A 17/18. He played for only 22 minutes in the World Cup and it came in one game, against Croatia. That he warmed the bench, even though Higuain was out of form shows that the support staff lacked confidence in Dybala.

If only they had confidence in Dybala, Argentina might have had a different tournament.

All stats via Transfermarkt

#2 Roberto Firmino

Firmino scored once for Brazil

The Liverpool star was underutilized by Brazil as he played for 81 minutes spanning 4 games. He didn't even start a single match and as Tite favored Gabriel Jesus to Firmino.

Roberto Firmino was in the form of his life before the World Cup as he scored 11 goals in 15 Champions League games and 15 goals in 37 Premier League games. He also contributed with 7 assists in PL.

Although Firmino didn't get enough game time, he still proved his worth with a beautiful goal against Mexico in the last 16 to carry Brazil into the quarter final.

#3 Nabil Fekir

Nabil Fekir

The World Cup-winning forward made sporadic appearances throughout the tournament for Les Bleus. He played for 68 minutes in 6 games. The Lyon star scored 18 goals in 30 Ligue 1 games and contributed with 8 assists in the 2017/18 season.

Nobody really expected him to get a lot of game time due to the attacking prowess that France possesses.

However, Fekir could have been given an opportunity when Olivier Giroud was struggling for rhythm.

#4 Florian Thauvin

Florian Thauvin

The Marseille forward played for only a minute in the FIFA World Cup which is literally no game time. He was in scintillating form before the World Cup as he scored 22 goals in 35 Ligue 1 game and contributed with 11 assists.

Although he himself wouldn't have expected a lot of game time, a few minutes against Denmark in a dead rubber wouldn't have hurt.

He is only 25 years old and if he improves his game, he could play for a lot more time in the coming World Cup.