Real Madrid pair star in Women's World Cup team of the tournament

 

England and Spain battled for World Cup glory on Sunday, but it was the latter who emerged victorious. The finalists' have two players each make the WhoScored team of the tournament, while Sweden, France, Japan and the Netherlands are also represented. 

 

Zecira Musovic (Sweden) - 7.05 

 

Sweden's penalty shootout hero against the USA features between the sticks in the WhoScored team of the tournament. Only Costa Rica's Daniela Solera (25) made more saves than Zecira Musovic (22) at the Women's World Cup, while only Australia's Mackenzie Arnold (4) kept more clean sheets than the 27-year-old (3), who features with a rating of 7.05. 

 

Lucy Bronze (England) - 7.43 

 

The first of two England players in the side, Lucy Bronze impressed at both right-back and right wing-back for the Lionesses this summer. The 31-year-old made more tackles and interceptions combined (43) than any other player at the Women's World Cup to help return a WhoScored rating of 7.43. 

 

Stephanie van der Gragt (Netherlands) - 7.60 

 

Netherlands ultimately crashed out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage, losing to eventual winners Spain after extra time, but the Dutch were impressive up until their exit. Centre-back Stephanie van der Gragt is the first of four Netherlands representatives, with the 31-year-old superb at the back. She scored two and provided one assist, and ranked fourth for accurate long balls per game by outfielders (6) to return a WhoScored rating of 7.60. 

 

Alex Greenwood (England) - 7.69 

 

Partnering Van de Gragt at the heart of the defence is Alex Greenwood. The 29-year-old was a passing machine in Australia and New Zealand having ranked second for passes per game (87.1) at the tournament, all the while finishing sixth for pass success rate (88.9%). Given her influence at the back, Greenwood is a worthy inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.69. 

 

Olga Carmona (Spain) - 7.54 

 

Rounding off the defence is Spain's clutch, Olga Carmona. The 23-year-old was key in La Roja's World Cup success, scoring the winning goal for Spain in both the semi-final win over Sweden and then the 1-0 final win over England. That contributed to Carmona's inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.54. 

 

Hinata Miyazawa (Japan) - 7.75 

 

Lost in the World Cup celebrations was that Japan's Hinata Miyazawa won the Golden Boot. Indeed, Miyazawa scored more goals (5) than any other player at the tournament, despite Japan's surprise exit at the hands of Sweden in the quarter-finals. The 23-year-old's WhoScored rating of 7.75 was enough to feature on the right. 

 

Real Madrid pair star in Women's World Cup team of the tournament

 

Teresa Abelleira (Spain) - 8.10 

 

The second Spain representative in the XI is also the WhoScored player of the tournament. Teresa Abelleira was the heartbeat for this Spain side having returned a WhoScored rating of 8.10. She made at least 12 more key passes (26) than any other player at the Women's World Cup, and ranked fifth for passes per game (77.6). She set the tempo for La Roja, and that helped Spain dominate and Abelleira to a WhoScored rating of 8.10. 

 

Jill Roord (Netherlands) - 7.91 

 

The Netherlands' best rated player at the World Cup partners Abelleira in the middle of the park. Jill Roord netted four times at the tournament prior to their quarter-final exit, while off the ball; she excelled. Indeed, 4.2 tackles per game was the ninth most, while the 26-year-old put in solid averages of 1.6 dribbles and 1.4 key passes per game to land a WhoScored rating of 7.91. 

 

Esme Brugts (Netherlands) - 7.69 

 

Rounding off the midfield is the third of four Netherlands representatives. Esme Brugts ended the tournament with two goals to her name, while her hard work out of possession also caught the eye as the 20-year-old returned 3.2 tackles per game. As such, she was deserving of a WhoScored rating of 7.69 and a spot in the XI. 

 

Kadidiatou Diani (France) - 7.78 

 

Of the 12 goals France scored at the Women's World Cup, Kadidiatou Diani was directly involved in seven. The 28-year-old netted four times - only Hinata Miyazawa scored more - while no player registered more assists than Diani (3). The former return came from an average of 3.8 shots per game, that ranking eighth, to yield a WhoScored rating of 7.78. 

 

Lieke Martens (Netherlands) - 7.76 

 

Partnering Diani on the frontline and rounding off the XI is Netherlands star Lieke Martins. The 30-year-old assisted two and scored one on the way to the Oranje's quarter-final exit, the latter coming from an average of 4.2 shots per game, the fifth highest such return at the tournament. Two dribbles per game was also a modest return for Martins, who exited the competition with a WhoScored rating of 7.76.

Real Madrid pair star in Women's World Cup team of the tournament