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In keeping with the theme of the 2022 World Cup, the round of 16 did not disappoint. Australia pushed Argentina all the way, Morocco stunned Spain and Portugal hit Switzerland for six – without the help of Cristiano Ronaldo.
28 goals were scored across the eight encounters, dishing up an average of 3.5 goals per game. We also saw two penalty shootouts, a Kylian Mbappe masterclass and a stunning hat-track from 21-year-old Gonçalo Ramos.
Here’s our standout XI from the round of 16.
Goalkeeper – Bono
Bono was the hero as Morocco beat Spain on penalties at Education City Stadium. The Sevilla goalkeeper produced heroics during normal time, extra time and the penalty shootout to send his team into the quarter-finals.
Believe it or not, Spain failed to convert a single penalty – thanks largely to Bono’s exploits. After Pablo Sarabia hit the post with Spain’s first spot kick, Bono kept out Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets before Achraf Hakimi scored the winning penalty.
Defenders – Denzel Dumfries, Pepe, Raphaël Guerreiro
Denzel Dumfries played a key role in the Netherlands’ 3-1 victory over the USA. The marauding wing-back assisted Memphis Depay and Daley Blind’s goals before completing the scoring with a goal of his own.
Elsewhere, Pepe and Raphaël Guerreiro starred as Portugal thrashed Switzerland 6-1. Pepe headed home from a corner to mark his 132nd international cap with a goal, while Guerreiro notched a goal and an assist in the rout.
Midfielders – Ivan Perišić, Lucas Paquetá, Jordan Henderson, Daley Blind
Ivan Perišić was the man who dragged Croatia back into their clash with Japan at Al Janoub Stadium, scoring his 33rd international goal. Meanwhile, Lucas Paquetá netted in Brazil’s 4-1 hammering of South Korea.
Many people questioned Jordan Henderson’s inclusion in England’s starting XI to face Senegal, but the Liverpool legend justified his selection with a goal. As we already mentioned, Daley Blind played a starring role as the Dutch dispatched the States.
Forwards – Neymar, Gonçalo Ramos, Kylian Mbappé
Naturally, all eyes were on Kylian Mbappe when France took on Poland – and he did not disappoint. The PSG superstar bagged a brace and an assist before his club team-mate Neymar scored and assisted in Brazil’s thrashing of South Korea.
But the standout story of the round of 16 has to be Gonçalo Ramos. Having been called up to replace Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s starting XI, the 21-year-old smashed in a hat-trick and an assist to steal the show against Switzerland.
