After Messi and Mbappe, the last spot up front was up for grabs.
The World Cup is drawing to an end and before tomorrow’s final between Argentina and Croatia, the BBC pundits have picked their Team of the Tournament so far.
There are some obvious picks that you don’t even need to think about such as the inclusion of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Hakimi.
However, the similarities were few and far between , as we have three very different teams picked by the three pundits covering the third round play-off.
Croatia take on Morocco for that third spot, but before the game Alex Scott, Micah Richards and Jurgen Klinsman reveal their best starting 11 from this competition.
Alex Scott
Interestingly, Scott was the only one who picked Oliver Giroud as it seems that even making back to back World Cup finals and becoming your country’s all time top scorer won’t guarantee you the credit you deserve.
Giroud has made a career of proving people wrongs and one o the very few days that Mbappe just can’t penetrate, then Giroud stats up to the plate and offers something different, as we saw against England.
Scott recognises his threat though, and also finds space for Saiss at centre back, when the other pundits opted for Raphael Varane.
Micah Richards
Richards had to find room for a Manchester City player somewhere, but you wouldn’t resent him for picking Alvarez who has often been the person finishing off the brilliant moves made by Messi in the build up.
A frightening front three with a strong midfield to support them gives the BBC pundit a very strong line up, and it’s hard to argue with his bak four options either.
Gvardiol made all three teams and with good reason, the Croatian has been unbelievable throughout this tournament, and not only was his defending brilliant, but he also offers a lot going forward.
Jurgen Klinsman
The former Germany manager was the only one to include Neymar in his team, a player who came under a lot of criticism for not always being able to lead the team.
He missed two games through an ankle injury, but converted a penalty in the first knockout round against South Korea.
Against Croatia he was very poor but then had a moment of magic when he scored a last minute goal. However, when the match wet to penalties, he came under more criticism for being down as the fifth penalty taker.
Many thought that because he was the main man he had to take one of the first three, but regardless Klinsman has selected him in his front three, and also included Otamendi at centre back.
Related links:
- Kylian Mbappé’s issue with Lionel Messi revealed ahead of World Cup final
- Kylian Mbappe doesn’t lace boots of peak Lionel Messi says Damien Duff
- Karim Benzema breaks silence on World Cup final appearance
