Best XI of World Cup so far as group stages finish with Kylian Mbappe starring plus three Manchester United aces featuring but no Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo

The World Cup group stages are now over and we know our last-16.

It has been an action pack first two weeks of the tournaments with some big teams heading on the plane home out of Qatar.

Getty 9 The World Cup has provided plenty of fireworks in the group stages

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Most notably that is Germany and Belgium, who would have harboured homes of winning the whole thing.

While there have been under performers, there have also been plenty of players making huge impressions in those group stages.

There has been some magical goals, dazzling creativity, and brilliant defending.

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Here at talkSPORT.com, we’ve chose our best XI from the group stages so far.

Goalkeeper

Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has played a big hand in getting his team to the knockout stages, finishing second behind Argentina.

The Juventus man has saved two penalties at this World Cup, including one from Lionel Messi. He has also made 19 total saves at this tournament and also kept two clean sheets.

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Getty 9 Szczesny has saved two penalties in the group stages

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Poland reached the last-16 for the first time in 36 years, and the former Arsenal goalkeeper can take plenty of the credit.

Defence

There have been some monster defensive performances at this World Cup and let’s start with the centre-backs.

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Harry Maguire has been one of England’s best players so far and can lay claim to being one of the best centre-backs in the tournament so far.

Getty 9 Maguire looks like a completely different player at the World Cup

Getty 9 Gvardiol has added a few millions to his price tag at the World Cup

Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol is not far behind him, with the 20-year-old showing just why he is one of the most in demand youngsters in Europe.

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He put in an incredible last-ditch tackle to deny Romelu Lukaku and keep his team at this World Cup.

Morocco have been one of the surprise packages at this World Cup, finishing ahead of Croatia and Belgium to top Group F. Achraf Hakimi has been brilliant from right-back, providing an attacking threat as well as being strong defensively.

France left-back Theo Hernandez has also had a strong showing in the group stages, providing two assists as his side cruised to the knockout stages.

Midfield

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Brazil were another team who cruised to the knockout stages of the World Cup and it was Premier League players who had a big say.

Richarlison scored a absolute worldie in their first game, but it has been Casemiro who has got plenty of the plaudits.

Getty 9 Casemiro has enjoyed a good start to the World Cup

Getty 9 Fernandes has scored twice in the group stages

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He scored the winner against Switzerland and his teammates were signing his praises.

Another Manchester United player who has starred in the group stages is Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes. He has got two goals so far and really stepped up as his team finished top of their group.

The Netherlands picked up seven points to qualify top of Group A and Frenkie de Jong has been a standout performer with one goal and one assist.

Attack

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There are so many options to fill the attack and many who sadly have to miss out… even Lionel Messi.

Kylian Mbappe is already making a strong case to win the Golden Boot and Golden Ball with three goals already as France finished top of their group.

Getty 9 Mbappe has three goals and an assist in two starts at Qatar 2022

Getty 9 Gakpo and Alvaro Morata are the only players to score in each of the three group games

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He picked up from where he left off in 2018 and will hope to lead his side to glory again.

Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo has been a revelation, scoring in all three of their group games.

It’s easy to see why Manchester United are so keep on the PSV winger.

Another Morocco player, Hakim Ziyech, also makes the XI after a goal and an assist and some brilliant performances from the Chelsea man.

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