Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe grabbed lots of the headlines as their international locations sailed by the group stage of the World Cup, however many others have additionally risen to the event in Qatar.
ALSO READ | WORLD CUP: ALL THE ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES AND KICK-OFF TIMES
A have a look at 5 breakout stars from the first spherical of the match.
Tyler Adams (USA)
The Leeds midfielder exuded calm each on and off the pitch as the United States booked a spot in the final 16 with a tense 1-0 win over Iran of their last match. Named captain simply earlier than the World Cup, the 23-year-old led by instance at the coronary heart of a youthful midfield — taking part in alongside Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah — which greater than held its personal in opposition to England and dominated Wales. Adams additionally demonstrated outstanding maturity and composure as he deftly dealt with being peppered with questions unrelated to soccer forward of the politically charged Iran recreation. His performances in Qatar have reportedly caught the eye of some of Europe’s greatest golf equipment.
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)
The Dutch ahead was the solely participant to attain in all three group video games — carrying over his red-hot type for PSV Eindhoven onto the greatest stage. Gakpo’s header in the Netherlands’ opening match in opposition to Senegal broke the impasse late on in a 2-0 victory. He drilled the Dutch forward with a fierce left-footed drive in opposition to Ecuador in a 1-1 draw and once more set the Oranje on their means with one other tidy end on his proper as they cantered to a 2-0 win over Qatar. “He has everything it takes to become a star,” stated Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal. It is unquestionably solely a matter of time earlier than he’s prised away from his boyhood membership, with Manchester United a doable vacation spot.
Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)
Fernandez had by no means began a recreation for Argentina earlier than the World Cup however his performances in Qatar have made him an important half of Lionel Scaloni’s facet. The 21-year-old midfielder got here off the bench to attain a marvel strike in opposition to Mexico, then created his group’s second aim after making his first begin of their 2-0 win over Poland. Fernandez joined Benfica from River Plate in the summer time and rapidly impressed, serving to his new membership prime their group in the Champions League. Fernandez’s aim in opposition to Mexico made him Argentina’s second-youngest goalscorer at the World Cup – after Lionel Messi.
Jude Bellingham (England)
Bellingham is showing at his second worldwide match after taking part in for England ultimately 12 months’s European Championship, and it’s straightforward to overlook that he’s nonetheless solely 19. The Borussia Dortmund participant has grow to be an integral half of Gareth Southgate’s midfield in Qatar and introduced himself with a well-taken aim in England’s opening 6-2 win over Iran. Bellingham has racked up lots of big-game expertise with Dortmund and he seemed fully comfy alongside Declan Rice as England topped Group B.
Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)
An rising defensive star in a Croatia facet in want of renewal, Gvardiol’s last-ditch block on Romelu Lukaku saved the 2018 runners-up from going out to Belgium. The 20-year-old fractured his nostril and suffered extreme swelling round his proper eye barely per week earlier than the match after colliding with an RB Leipzig teammate however that hasn’t affected his play. He has not solely stood out as the masked man however as the bedrock of a Croatia backline breached simply as soon as up to now. “He’s the best defender in the world,” stated Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic. “Even if he’s not currently number one, he will become number one.”
ALSO READ | 5 REASONS WHY CYRIL RAMAPHOSA IS A CANDIDATE FOR THE KAIZER CHIEFS JOB
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse