With the last-16 set at the 2026 World Cup, we’ve picked out our stat-led team of the round for the last 32, with superstar Kylian Mbappe joined by a Paraguayan, a Canadian and a Belgian to name a few.
We’ve limited our team to one player per team, meaning there are some hugely unfortunate absentees – including France‘s assist king Michael Olise, as well as Spain‘s Marc Cucurella after his two assists against Austria, plus England‘s two-goal saviour Harry Kane.
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GK: Orlando Gill (Paraguay)
Paraguay inflicted the first shock elimination of the tournament when they defeated Germany on penalties. Gustavo Alfaro’s side produced a solid defensive display across 120 minutes, with Orlando Gill making six saves to generally keep the Germans at bay. The goalkeeper then took centre stage during the shootout, keeping out Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade, before Jose Canale slotted home the winning kick.
RB: Denis Zakaria (Switzerland)
Denis Zakaria was recalled to the starting XI having been left out of Switzerland‘s second and third group games. It’s a decision that was justified by Murat Yakin, whose side beat Algeria 2-0. The full-back recorded four crosses and two shots – both the joint-most by any Swiss player – he also won possession seven times, made four interceptions and won all three tackles. Although, Zakaria faces a nervy wait to see if he will be fit for the round-of-16, after limping off late on.
CB: Ruben Dias (Portugal)
Portugal scraped through to the round-of-16 following a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia, who were denied a last-gasp equaliser for offside following a VAR review. Aside from Ivan Perisic’s opener, the Nations League champions generally kept their opponents at bay, thanks largely to Ruben Dias’ efforts in the heart of defence. The Manchester City centre-back won 10 duels, made five clearances and two interceptions. He also led the way for Portugal with 110 touches and 86 completed passes.
CB: Lisandro Martinez (Argentina)
Argentina may have conceded twice during their epic with Cape Verde, but Lisandro Martinez gets the nod ahead for his exploits at the other end of the field and a generally all-action display. The Manchester United defender has registered a single goal and assist for club and country across the 2025-26 season, and both came in this game. In his 31st cap, Martinez claimed his first ever assist for Argentina with a beautifully lofted pass to pick out Messi for the opening goal. He then took his own goal with aplomb, brilliantly sweeping into the roof of the net from a tight angle. Additionally, Martinez completed a team-high 97.5% of his 119 passes (116), as well as a joint-best of six clearances, and he won possession four times.
LB: Sidny Lopes Cabral (Cape Verde)
While Cucurella is unlucky to miss out in this position, it’s fair to say Lopes Sidny Cabral’s exploits couldn’t be ignored. The Cape Verde full-back wrote his name into World Cup folklore during their narrow defeat against Argentina. With his side trailing 2-1 in extra-time, he cut inside before bending a 20-yard strike beyond Emiliano Martinez and into the top corner. There were shades of Pat Cash at Wimbledon as he leapfrogged the advertising hoardings to celebrate his moment of glory with those closest to him. He almost added another superb strike later on, with Martinez just about tipping a dipping free-kick over the bar. In addition to this, he led the way for Cape Verde with 80 touches, 11 final-third entries and seven crosses. He also won possession five times and made three clearances.
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CM: Youri Tielemans (Belgium)
Belgium were heading for the exit door at 2-1 down in the 88th minute of their clash with Senegal. Step forward the skipper, Youri Tielemans, who bravely headed in an equaliser soon after to force extra-time. That was one of five aerial duels the 5’9″ midfielder won during the contest. The Aston Villa man, who also delivered a joint-high five crosses for Belgium, stood up for his nation once again in the dying moments of extra-time, with his cool penalty sending them through to the round-of-16.
CM: Stephen Eustaquio (Canada)
All three host nations are through to the last-16, including Canada following a dramatic ending to their first ever knockout game at the finals. Jesse Marsch’s side were deadlocked with South Africa and extra-time loomed. However, the ball fell kindly on the edge of the box to Stephen Eustaquio, who drilled home the winner on the half-volley to spark wild celebrations among the Canadian contingent in Los Angeles. The skipper also led the way with team-high tallies of five chances created and seven crosses, while he also won possession eight times.
CM: Malik Tillman (USA)
Speaking of host nations, the United States progressed in a slightly more comfortable manner, with a routine 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Folarin Balogun had given the Stars and Stripes the lead, though his red card just after the hour mark meant for a nervy conclusion to the contest. Step forward Malik Tillman, who became the first American since Eric Wynalda in 1994 to score from a direct free-kick, with his wonderful delivery settling those nerves. It capped a fine all-action display from the midfielder, who made five crosses, three tackles, won nine duels and won possession six times.
FW: Julian Quinones (Mexico)
The player who kickstarted Mexico‘s World Cup with the opening goal in their 2-0 victory over South Africa at Mexico City Stadium, Julian Quinones repeated the feat against Ecuador in the round of 32 with a thumping finish. He then turned provider for Raul Jimenez’s strike, becoming just the second Mexican to record a goal and assist in a knockout game after Manuel Negrete against Bulgaria in 1986. The Saudi Pro League star, who also created three chances, now has four direct goal involvements at this World Cup, equalling Luis Hernandez (in 1998) for the most by a Mexico player in a single finals.
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FW: Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)
With the Golden Boot race hotting up very nicely, Mikel Oyarzabal ensured he kept himself in the running with another couple of well-taken goals from Cucurella crosses taking him to four for the tournament. That’s 16 now for him since the start of 2025, a tally only bettered by a certain Erling Haaland (22) among European players during that span. The first Spain player to score twice in a World Cup knockout match since Emilio Butragueno in 1986, the latter (five that year) and David Villa (five in 2010) are the only Spaniards to score more times at a single finals than Oyarzabal, whose strikes came from four attempts on target.
FW: Kylian Mbappe (France)
Kylian Mbappe now holds the record for the most goals scored in the World Cup knockout stages, after taking his tally into double figures (10). Going level with Lionel Messi at the top of this tournament’s goalscoring charts (six each), he also moved within one of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner (19) on the all-time list (18). A superb individual goal, followed by a well-taken second, combined with four chances created and three successful dribbles during another standout display from the France skipper.
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