World Cup Group Stage Round-up: The best rated eliminated XI

 

As sweet the taste of victory at the World Cup my be, there is a bitterness to being eliminated, particularly if a player or team has impressed, but ultimately been dumped out of the competition at the group stage, and Russia 2018 is no different. 

 

Here, using our unique rating system, we take a look at the best rated eliminated XI from the group stages of the tournament… 

 

Cho Hyun-Woo - South Korea 

 

South Korea goalkeeper Cho Hyun-Woo won a number of admirers for his performances between the sticks at the World Cup. He churned out a man of the match display in the memorable 2-0 win over Germany this week and his notable outings between the sticks earned him a WhoScored.com rating of 7.60, better than any other goalkeeper. Only Guillermo Ochoa (17) has made more saves than Cho (12) at the World Cup, while the 26-year-old successfully claimed more crosses (6) than any shotstopper in the group stages. 

 

 

Branislav Ivanovic - Serbia 

 

After a 1-0 win over Costa Rica, Serbia were a little unlucky to exit the World Cup at the group stage as they fell to a late loss to Switzerland and were then beaten by Brazil. Branislav Ivanovic may have come under some criticism, but the experienced defender returned a WhoScored.com rating of 7.47 as he made six tackles, one interception and eight clearances. Four key passes and three successful dribbles were also commendable returns for the veteran. 

 

Mats Hummels - Germany 

 

For the third time running, the defending World Cup champions were eliminated from the tournament at the group stage. Germany were lackadaisical in the final third and a lack of defensive structure ultimately cost them. Mats Hummels played two of the three matches and in that time, made six tackles, five interceptions and seven clearances. 113 passes at a 91.2% success rate was also a fine return and helped the 29-year-old earn a WhoScored.com rating of 7.05. 

 

Kenneth Omeruo - Nigeria 

 

Nigeria were unfortunate not to progress beyond the group stage after recovering well from their 2-0 loss to Croatia to then beat Iceland. A late Marcos Rojo strike consigned them to elimination from Group D in what was an abrupt end to their Russia 2018 journey. Kenneth Omeuro’s inclusion from the off coincided with an upturn in fortunes, with the key assist in the 2-0 win over Iceland for Ahmed Musa’s second goal helping push his WhoScored.com rating to 7.16 in the group stages. 

 

Jonas Hector - Germany 

 

The second Germany player to make the cut, Die Mannschaft’s fortunes may have improved had Jonas Hector been fit to feature in their first match with Mexico. The left-back may not have pulled up any trees, but he was a solid performer for Jogi Loew’s side with four tackles and interceptions combined contributing to a WhoScored.com rating of 6.92. 

 

Andre Carrillo - Peru 

 

Andre Carrillo ensured Peru’s short-lived World Cup adventure ended on a high as he scored their first tournament goal in 36 years the side on their way to a 2-0 win over Australia. The South American side earned a legion of fans following three solid outings, yet came undone against European counterparts Denmark and France. The 27-year-old also completed 10 dribbles and made six key passes for Peru to help return a notable WhoScored.com rating of 7.20. 

 

Oghenekaro Etebo - Nigeria 

 

Stoke fans will have liked what they saw of Oghenekaro Etebo in Russia, with the midfielder a key man for Nigeria. The 22-year-old returned a WhoScored.com rating of 7.49 after three solid displays in the middle of the park and very much reinforced a statistically calculated WhoScored.com strength of ‘dribbling’ having completed all but one of 17 attempted dribbles. 14 tackles and interceptions combined was also a notable return and Stoke very much have a fine all rounder on their hands now. 

 

Wilfred Ndidi - Nigeria 

 

Etebo’s midfield partner Wilfred Ndidi makes the cut with a hugely impressive WhoScored.com rating of 7.79. The Leicester star made more tackles (15) and interceptions (12) than any other player in the group stages of the World Cup to once more showcase his quality to the watching world. A series of fine appearances in the middle of the park will do nothing to curb any interest in the 21-year-old, who thrived in the Nigeria midfield. 

 

World Cup Group Stage Round-up: The best rated eliminated XI

 

Salem Al Dawsari - Saudi Arabia 

 

Saudi Arabia may have faltered against Russia and Uruguay, but they ended their World Cup campaign on a positive as they overcame Egypt 2-1 on Monday. Salem Al Dawsari scored the decisive goal in the victory and was arguably the Green Falcons’ stand out performer. He mustered a WhoScored.com rating of 7.23 across his three appearances, with 12 successful dribbles and five key passes returning such a fine score. 

 

Son Heung-Min - South Korea 

 

South Korea only scored three goals at the World Cup, but two of those were netted by Tottenham sensation Son Heung-Min. He was South Korea’s primary attacking threat and for good reason as he gained a WhoScored.com rating of 7.43. Nine successful dribbles and six key passes were both notable returns for Son, who successfully carried his club form into the World Cup. 

 

Wahbi Khazri - Tunisia 

 

Like Peru, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, Tunisia ended their World Cup campaign on a high as they overcame Panama 2-1 on Thursday. Wahbi Khazri was key to the victory and Tunisia’s performance as a whole as he had a direct hand in four of the five goals they scored, scoring two and assisting another two. Seven key passes was a fine return for Khazri, who gained a WhoScored.com rating of 7.49.

World Cup Group Stage Round-up: The best rated eliminated XI