France overwhelms Argentina in the typical squad

The 11 best players for the 2022 World Cup were selected using the Opta Index scoring system, which looks at hundreds of metrics to calculate a positive or negative score based on position. Players will be graded on a 100-point scale for their performance in a single game or considering multiple matches in the tournament.

In the group stage, Mbappe scored in the opening match against Australia 4-1, scored a brace in the 2-1 win over Denmark and then made a reserve against Tunisia, when France was sure to continue. In the 1/8 round, he continued to score a brace against Poland and created the other goal for Olivier Giroud.

Mbappe failed to score in the semi-finals, but his shot led to both goals for France against Morocco. In the final at Lusail Stadium on the evening of December 18, Mbappe hit Argentina four times, including a hat-trick and the first kick in the penalty shootout, but could not help France defend the throne.

Because France was dethroned by Argentina, Mbappe lost the Best Player award in the final and the World Cup Golden Ball to Lionel Messi. However, the striker turned 24 today - December 20 - won the Golden Shoe for the top scorer with 8 goals at Qatar 2022. Besides, he also leads the tournament in the number of dribbles (25) and number of touches in the opponent's penalty area (69).

The remaining three French players in the best squad are Theo Hernandez, Aurelien Tchouameni and Antoine Griezmann. In which, Theo Hernandez created 11 scoring opportunities and provided two assists - the best achievement among defenders. Tchouameni intercepted the most Qatar 2022 with 14 times and accurately completed 425 out of 468 lines, reaching 91%. Griezmann shines in a new role - a playmaker - as he creates more chances (22) and accumulates more expected assists (3.6) than any other player in the tournament.

Argentina only featured strikers Alvarez and Messi. Alvarez was the discovery of coach Lionel Scaloni, when he became the second Argentina player under the age of 23 to reach four goals in a World Cup, after Gonzalo Higuain in 2010. At 22 years and 316 days, Alvarez is also the youngest player to score a goal. Double in the semi-finals of the World Cup, since "King of Football" Pele scored a hat-trick in 1958 (17 years 244 days).

Messi was awarded the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball - the award for the best player in the tournament at Qatar 2022, and won the best player award five times. He imprinted his shoes directly on eight of 12 goals, including five goals and three assists, that Argentina scored from the group stage to the end of the semi-finals. In the final, Messi scored twice, launched the situation that led to the other goal and successfully made the first penalty, opening a 4-2 victory. At Qatar 2022, the Argentine captain also leads in many parameters, including shots (32), chances created (17), assists (3) and number of fouls (22).

Opta's best XI has goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who saves the expected 3.5 goals based on shots taken by Croatia - the most in the league. The 27-year-old goalkeeper also tops the number of saves (25) and saves four kicks in the penalty shootout - a World Cup record.

Livakovic's teammate Josko Gvardiol was also present. The 20-year-old has cleared the ball (37) and pulled the ball forward (202) the most in the league, and won possession more often than any other defender (48).

The remaining two positions of the defense belong to Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos. In particular, Hakimi tackled the ball 26 times, making a great contribution to helping Morocco become the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Marquinhos completed 349 out of 364 passes, a rate of 96% - the best metric for players who played for at least 200 minutes. In addition, Brazil only faced 32 shots in 426 minutes when Marquinhos played, averaging 6.8 shots over 90 minutes.

In addition to Tchouameni and Griezmann, the remaining position of the midfield belongs to Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder contributed to five goals in Qatar 2022, a record only behind Messi and Mbappe, including three assists - the best achievement in the tournament, equal to Messi, Griezmann, Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic.