Russia dominate quarter-final best-rated eliminated XI

 

While four nations were celebrating, four were left reeling from what could have been. Here, we run through the best-rated WhoScored.com XI of those to have exited the World Cup at the quarter-final stage… 

 

Alisson - Brazil 

 

There was little Alisson could have done for Belgium’s two goals. Fernandinho’s own goal was unfortunate, while nothing would have stopped Kevin De Bruyne’s arrow from nestling in the far corner. The goalkeeper mustered a 100% pass success rate and made two saves, but a WhoScored.com rating of 5.75 is nothing to celebrate and was merely the best of a bad bunch. 

 

Mario Fernandes - Russia 

 

He handed Russia a chance of success with his equaliser deep into the second half of extra time and all in all, Mario Fernandes gave a good account of himself once more in the penalty shootout defeat to Russia. He made five tackles, won five aerial duels and made one key pass over 120 minutes, which in turn was enough to earn a WhoScored.com rating of 7.40.  

 

Sergei Ignashevich - Russia 

 

Compatriot Sergei Ignashevich makes the cut at the heart of the defence, despite Russia conceding twice. The experienced centre-back made 13 clearances over 120 minutes of action and made one tackle. He scored his penalty in the shootout and that helped him push his WhoScored.com rating up to 7.06. 

 

Andreas Granqvist - Sweden 

 

Partnering Ignashevich at the back is Sweden defender and captain Andreas Granqvist. The defender couldn’t prevent England from scoring twice in the 2-0 loss, but won two aerial duels, made two interceptions and, like Ignashevich, 13 clearances to help return a WhoScored.com rating of 7.21. 

 

Marcelo - Brazil 

 

He pressed forward well for Brazil to make four key passes in the 2-1 loss to Belgium to help gain a WhoScored.com rating of 7.42, with Marcelo one of a few Brazil players to have left the field with his head high. Four interceptions and one tackle helped pushed Marcelo’s rating so high, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the pre-tournament favourites from leaving the competition at the quarter-final stage. 

 

Daler Kuzyaev - Russia 

 

The third of six Russia players to make the cut, the hard working Daler Kuzyaev made just his second start of the World Cup against Croatia and gained a WhoScored.com rating of 6.94 for his efforts. He won three aerial duels in the penalty shootout defeat and made five tackles to cap off a solid performance from the Zenit ace. 

 

Coutinho - Brazil

 

Coutinho worked tirelessly to drag Brazil back into the tie when they fell 2-0 down against Belgium, but it wasn't to be for Tite's side. The Barcelona star did what he could, mustering six shots, while he provided the assist for Renato Augusto's goal from one of his two key passes. In addition, he made two tackles during the 90 minutes and while it wasn't to be for Brazil, Coutinho still earned a respectable WhoScored.com rating of 7.33.

 

 

Roman Zobnin - Russia 

 

The highest rated player in this XI is Russia midfielder Roman Zobnin. The Spartak Moscow man excelled against Croatia as he made 10 interceptions, more than any other player in a World Cup match, and two tackles to help gain a WhoScored.com rating of 7.57. Potential interested parties will have been suitably impressed with his performance on Saturday night. 

 

Denis Cheryshev - Russia 

 

Denis Cheryshev scored just four competitive goals for Villarreal last season, netting twice in La Liga, once in the Europa League and once in the Copa Del Rey. He matched that figure in five World Cup outings, netting four times, including a goal of the tournament contender against Croatia. He was withdrawn after 67 minutes, but in his time on the pitch, he made two tackle, one interception and one successful dribble to go with his wonder goal to return a WhoScored.com rating of 7.42. 

 

Marcus Berg - Sweden 

 

Marcus Berg ended the World Cup having had 15 shots on goal, but he failed to score during Sweden’s stay in Russia. The striker forced Jordan Pickford into a fine second half stop that would’ve drawn Sweden level and was a handful for the England defence. He won five aerial duels, made one tackle, one interception and one key pass to help gain a WhoScored.com rating of 6.63. 

 

Russia dominate quarter-final best-rated eliminated XI

 

Artem Dzyuba - Russia 

 

Rounding off the eliminated XI is Russia powerhouse striker Artem Dzyuba. The 29-year-old forward provided the assist for Cheryshev’s sublime strike against Croatia on Saturday night, that coming from one of three key passes, and won five aerial duels prior to his second half withdrawal. Having already netted a penalty in the shootout win over Spain, it may have been different for Russia had Dzyuba played the full 120 minutes, but he did enough to gain a WhoScored.com rating of 6.88 against Croatia.

Russia dominate quarter-final best-rated eliminated XI