WORLD CUP TEAM
All hail Cup’s feistiest, fastest and fittest stars
Moscow — After a thrilling World Cup, AFP sport reporters have picked their top players of the tournament, based on all 64 matches played in Russia. Thibaut Courtois: Chelsea’s giant goalkeeper was a dominant presence for Roberto Martinez’s team in Russia. He produced one of the saves of the tournament when he leapt to his left to tip over a Neymar curler in the dying seconds of the quarterfinal against Brazil to keep the score at 2-1. Thomas Meunier: If Belgium had been able to field the suspended Meunier for their semi-final against France, the outcome might have been different, as France’s players admitted themselves. If proof were needed, the Paris Saint-Germain attacking left-back scored in Belgium’s victory against England in the third-place playoff. Raphaël Varane: Varane came to the World Cup having just won his fourth Champions League medal with Real Madrid. He and Samuel Umtiti enhanced their reputation during the tournament, giving France defensive solidity and helping th...
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