• Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford (England) It would have been Hugo Lloris, but for his final blunder to allow Mario Mandzukic to score. Thibaut Courtois was also excellent, but Pickford’s magnificent saves in the last 16, the quarter-final and the semi-final make him this choice. And to think he only had three caps before the World Cup. Getty Images
    Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford (England) It would have been Hugo Lloris, but for his final blunder to allow Mario Mandzukic to score. Thibaut Courtois was also excellent, but Pickford’s magnificent saves in the last 16, the quarter-final and the semi-final make him this choice. And to think he only had three caps before the World Cup. Getty Images
  • Right-back: Kieran Trippier (England) Not something many expected of a player who was almost 24 before he made his Premier League debut, but Trippier has been the World Cup’s outstanding right-back. His set-pieces and crossing have been instrumental, while a free kick made him just the third England player to score in a World Cup semi-final. EPA
    Right-back: Kieran Trippier (England) Not something many expected of a player who was almost 24 before he made his Premier League debut, but Trippier has been the World Cup’s outstanding right-back. His set-pieces and crossing have been instrumental, while a free kick made him just the third England player to score in a World Cup semi-final. EPA
  • Centre-back: Raphael Varane (France) Some of the finest centre-backs, such as Andreas Granqvist, Domagoj Vida and Harry Maguire, have been surprise packages. Varane has not been but the Real Madrid mad has been immaculate in defence and popped up with a crucial goal in the quarter-final against Uruguay. He looks the planet’s best in his position. Getty Images
    Centre-back: Raphael Varane (France) Some of the finest centre-backs, such as Andreas Granqvist, Domagoj Vida and Harry Maguire, have been surprise packages. Varane has not been but the Real Madrid mad has been immaculate in defence and popped up with a crucial goal in the quarter-final against Uruguay. He looks the planet’s best in his position. Getty Images
  • Centre-back: Diego Godin (Uruguay) Uruguay played five games in Russia. Arguably, Godin was man of the match in four of them. Even when Edinson Cavani scored a terrific brace against Portugal, Godin subdued Cristiano Ronaldo. He was authoritative, reliable and half of an excellent double act with his Atletico Madrid team-mate Jose Maria Gimenez. AP Photo
    Centre-back: Diego Godin (Uruguay) Uruguay played five games in Russia. Arguably, Godin was man of the match in four of them. Even when Edinson Cavani scored a terrific brace against Portugal, Godin subdued Cristiano Ronaldo. He was authoritative, reliable and half of an excellent double act with his Atletico Madrid team-mate Jose Maria Gimenez. AP Photo
  • Left-back: Jan Vertonghen (Belgium) Perhaps there has not been an outstanding left-back in this World Cup but Vertonghen, often used on the left of a back three, has been terrific, virtually flawless in defence, excellent in possession and, whether or not he meant it, scoring one of the more remarkable goals with his header against Japan. Getty Images
    Left-back: Jan Vertonghen (Belgium) Perhaps there has not been an outstanding left-back in this World Cup but Vertonghen, often used on the left of a back three, has been terrific, virtually flawless in defence, excellent in possession and, whether or not he meant it, scoring one of the more remarkable goals with his header against Japan. Getty Images
  • Centre midfield: Paul Pogba (France) Pogba won the award as the best young player in the 2014 tournament. He took a giant stride forward in this World Cup, however, and if a well-taken goal in the final indicated his ability, his disciplined defensive work and partnership with Kante gets him in this side ahead of Kevin de Bruyne. Getty Images
    Centre midfield: Paul Pogba (France) Pogba won the award as the best young player in the 2014 tournament. He took a giant stride forward in this World Cup, however, and if a well-taken goal in the final indicated his ability, his disciplined defensive work and partnership with Kante gets him in this side ahead of Kevin de Bruyne. Getty Images
  • Centre midfield: N’Golo Kante (France) The only surprise was that Kante was substituted in the final. He had been ubiquitous until then, hassling and harrying with inimitable energy and both shielding the French back four while giving more talented footballers a platform to play. The ultimate team player now looks the world’s best defensive midfielder. AP Photo
    Centre midfield: N’Golo Kante (France) The only surprise was that Kante was substituted in the final. He had been ubiquitous until then, hassling and harrying with inimitable energy and both shielding the French back four while giving more talented footballers a platform to play. The ultimate team player now looks the world’s best defensive midfielder. AP Photo
  • Centre midfield: Luka Modric (Croatia) Modric is 32, has won four Champions Leagues and a century of caps, but it still feels as though recognition has been belated. He has combined classy, incisive passing with the running power to keep on going and the determination to help Croatia reach a maiden final. He has been outstanding. Getty Images
    Centre midfield: Luka Modric (Croatia) Modric is 32, has won four Champions Leagues and a century of caps, but it still feels as though recognition has been belated. He has combined classy, incisive passing with the running power to keep on going and the determination to help Croatia reach a maiden final. He has been outstanding. Getty Images
  • Right winger: Kylian Mbappe (France) The statistics were stunning enough – the third teenager to play in a World Cup final, the second after Pele to score in it – but his performance against Argentina was still more startling, a devastating explosion of pace to showcase his brilliance. His clinical goal in the final showed he has the temperament to accompany the talent. Getty Images
    Right winger: Kylian Mbappe (France) The statistics were stunning enough – the third teenager to play in a World Cup final, the second after Pele to score in it – but his performance against Argentina was still more startling, a devastating explosion of pace to showcase his brilliance. His clinical goal in the final showed he has the temperament to accompany the talent. Getty Images
  • Centre forward: Antoine Griezmann (France) Admittedly, he flourished operating off Olivier Giroud, but Griezmann leads the line in this team. He provided vital goals and assists, with key contributions in each of the four knockout games, whether calm penalties, fine free kicks or crucial interventions in open play. A class act who kept on eluding opponents. Reuters
    Centre forward: Antoine Griezmann (France) Admittedly, he flourished operating off Olivier Giroud, but Griezmann leads the line in this team. He provided vital goals and assists, with key contributions in each of the four knockout games, whether calm penalties, fine free kicks or crucial interventions in open play. A class act who kept on eluding opponents. Reuters
  • Left winger: Ivan Perisic (Croatia) So good he keeps Eden Hazard out. Perisic allied quality with force of personality, scoring equalisers in both the semi-final and the final. Perisic led Croatia’s pressing game, as he hassled full-backs, but he also showed the ability to get into the penalty box to meet crosses. He also embodied Croatia’s never-say-die spirit. Getty Images
    Left winger: Ivan Perisic (Croatia) So good he keeps Eden Hazard out. Perisic allied quality with force of personality, scoring equalisers in both the semi-final and the final. Perisic led Croatia’s pressing game, as he hassled full-backs, but he also showed the ability to get into the penalty box to meet crosses. He also embodied Croatia’s never-say-die spirit. Getty Images

Football

2018 World Cup team of the tournament: Mbappe leads five-man French contingent

Scroll left/right on your browser on the gallery above to see if you agree with the rest of his selections in a 4-3-3 formation

Richard Jolly
Richard Jolly
Greater Manchester, England

July 16, 2018

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No surprise to see France well represented in Richard Jolly's team of the tournament from the recently concluded 2018 World Cup.

Raphael Varane, Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann all make it into the best XI following France's 4-2 victory over Croatia in Sunday's World Cup final.

Scroll left/right on your browser on the gallery above to see if you agree with the rest of his selections in a 4-3-3 formation.

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Read more:

Didier Deschamps tells France players 'nothing comes above' winning the World Cup

WATCH: Paris landmarks celebrate France World Cup win

Interactive: How the World Cup's key players rated

Report: France win the World Cup with 4-2 victory over Croatia

Zlatko Dalic tells crestfallen Croatia players 'hold your heads up high'

Comment: Deschamps deserves full credit for steering France to deserved World Cup glory

Gary Meenaghan: Croatia can stand tall after coming up short in World Cup final

In pictures: France v Croatia in World Cup final

In pictures: France and Croatia fans at the World Cup final

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