With the last four set at the 2026 World Cup, we’ve picked out our stat-led team of the quarter-finals, with superstar Kylian Mbappe joined by the Morocco goalkeeper who saved his penalty.
We’ve limited our team to three players per team, featuring no-brainers Mbappe and two-goal Jude Bellingham while, despite exiting the tournament, a Norway player and couple of Switzerland stars have also made the cut.
GK: Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
He may have been on the losing side, but Yassine Bounou did himself no harm once again. The Morocco goalkeeper made six saves during the defeat by France, including guessing correctly to deny Mbappe from 12 yards. He’s now saved four penalties at the World Cup — the joint-most by any goalkeeper — and has only been beaten twice from the nine he has faced.
RB: Jules Kounde (France)
Morocco struggled to get out of their own half for most of that defeat against France, as they were unable to contain Mbappe and co. When they did, the Atlas Lions found a defence willing to spare them no change. Les Bleus held on for a fifth clean sheet in six matches, with Jules Kounde producing another solid display at right-back. During this, he made a joint team-high of five clearances, and won all three of his aerial duels.
CB: Pau Cubarsi (Spain)
The Spain defence was breached for the first time at this tournament, as they conceded an equaliser against Belgium. Nevertheless, Pau Cubarsi made amends with his fierce long-range shot parried by substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens, gifting Mikel Merino another late winner. It capped an all-action display from the young Barcelona defender, who registered 106 touches, five clearances and two interceptions. He also successfully completed 89 of his 91 attempted passes, and won two of his five aerial duels against the likes of Romelu Lukaku.
CB: Lisandro Martinez (Argentina)
Although Argentina failed to keep a clean sheet once more against Switzerland, Lisandro Martinez continued to impress in the heart of their defence. The Manchester United centre-half notably made a superb last-ditch sliding intervention to deny Switzerland an equaliser. He also made four clearances, won 10 duels and completed three successful dribbles.
LB: Ricardo Rodriguez (Switzerland)
Switzerland looked impressive during their fightback against Argentina, only for Breel Embolo’s red card to sap their momentum. Nevertheless, veteran left-back Ricardo Rodriguez was one of their standout performers. The 33-year-old, who was earning his 144th cap, provided the assist for Dan Ndoye’s equaliser, with one of three chances he created. Rodriguez also completed 37 of his 38 passes, and won four of his six duels, while generally keeping Lionel Messi quieter by his standards.
CM: Martin Odegaard (Norway)
Norway’s groundbreaking World Cup campaign came to an end, following a narrow defeat by England after extra-time. Martin Odegaard was unfortunate to find himself on the losing side, having dictated much of the play in Miami. Among his statistics were 15 final-third entries, 39 passes into the final third, two chances created and four crosses. The skipper also registered 107 touches, two successful dribbles and completed 80 of his 93 passes.
CM: Rodri (Spain)
Similarly, Rodri controlled the tempo for large periods of Spain’s victory over Belgium. The skipper has completed more passes into the final third than any other player at this World Cup. He added a further 33 to his tally without failure in the last eight, while completing 98 passes overall, as well as creating two chances and recording 118 touches.
CM: Jude Bellingham (England)
Jude Bellingham is certainly proving a point and more during this World Cup, with his brace from five shots eventually seeing England through to the semi-finals. He is the first player to score two or more goals in successive knockout appearances at the same finals, since Diego Maradona in 1986. Bellingham now has six goals at this World Cup, and seven overall, with only Kylian Mbappe (12) netting more while aged 23 or younger. For good measure, the Real Madrid midfielder also won four fouls and eight of his 12 duels.
FW: Ousmane Dembele (France)
Having previously failed to find his feet on the biggest stage of all, Ousmane Dembele has certainly made amends this year. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner scored the game-clinching second goal of France’s victory over Morocco. That came from four shots he attempted during the contest, in which he also created four chances.
FW: Kylian Mbappe (France)
With another goal and assist to his name, Mbappe has now registered 10 or more direct involvements in two different World Cups. He became the first player to achieve the feat, though it has since been matched by a certain Lionel Messi. Despite seeing his penalty saved, Mbappe recovered with a superb individual goal from one of four shots he attempted. Les Bleus’ skipper also created four chances and registered eight touches in the opposing box.
FW: Dan Ndoye (Switzerland)
Dan Ndoye is another player who could bow out of the World Cup with his head held high. The Nottingham Forest winger’s pace and power caused plenty of problems for Argentina’s defence. It eventually culminated in him scoring the equaliser from one of three shots he attempted, while he also had seven touches in the opposing box. Had Embolo not been sent off, Ndoye could well have unlocked that Argentina backline once more, and it may have been a completely different story.
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