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Spain are FIFA World Cup champions for the second time after a 1-0 extra-time victory over Lionel Messi and Argentina at the New York and New Jersey Stadium on Sunday to close out the biggest edition of the tournament in history.
Once the first 48-team World Cup was completed, there were many players who put in fabulous performances throughout the tournament. But only 11 can be chosen for the ideal eleven of the World Cup.
So, as the world remembers an incredible tournament, here’s FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas’ World Cup best XI.
Unai Simón reaches the goal after winning the Golden Glove.
It was a historic World Cup campaign for Simón, who kept seven clean sheets and only conceded one goal. That was the fewest goals conceded by a team en route to winning a World Cup.
Simón was instrumental with his ability to stop shots, his ability to play from the back and his role as a goalkeeper, constantly sniffing out attacks coming behind Spain’s defensive line.
Marc Cucurella came into this tournament widely recognized as one of the best left backs in the world, and he showed it at the World Cup.
He was defensively stable in the best defense of the tournament and at the same time was a constant presence on offense with his energy getting up and down the court.
Aymeric Laporte turned back the clock with a great World Cup for Spain, anchoring the defensive line as the experienced partner alongside teenage centre-back Pau Cubarsí.
Laporte helped lead a defense that conceded the fewest goals in the history of a World Cup-winning team. His ability to play from the back and his defensive stability were pillars for Spain throughout the tournament.
Cristian Romero was a vital piece in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning campaign, and continued to be so in this tournament.
Not only was he willing to put everything on the line defensively, but he also made an impact in the attacking area as a scoring threat. That included his goal against Egypt to get Argentina back into that match, as well as the header that was deflected as an own goal to win the round of 32 match against Cape Verde.
Pedro Porro showed his true level playing with Spain in this World Cup.
After an inconsistent season at Tottenham, Porro put together a strong tournament. Spain initially played Marcos Llorente at right back, but Porro eventually earned the starting spot and became a key player throughout the tournament.
He was not only solid in defense, but also present in attack, scoring in the round of 32 against Austria and again in the semi-final against France.
Rodri won the Ballon d’Or as the best player on the best team, playing at a high level throughout the World Cup.
He showed signs of the level he had before breaking his anterior cruciate ligament after winning the Ballon d’Or and the European Championship.
Rodri’s decision making, processing speed and defensive strength against Laporte and Cubarsí were huge for Spain. After this tournament, Rodri could be on his way to a second Ballon d’Or.
Jude Bellingham had a monster tournament, scoring seven goals from midfield.
The ability he showed to reach the area was tremendous and his decisive moments were at another level. Every time England were in a hole and needed someone to dig them out, Bellingham seemed to be there showing his class and scoring vital goals.
Michael Olise is as silky as a footballer can be and demonstrated his quality and creativity in this World Cup.
Despite not scoring a single goal, his tournament was fabulous for the creativity he brought to France. Olise allowed the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué to flourish thanks to the consistency with which he created opportunities.
Olise finished with seven assists, breaking Pelé’s record for most assists recorded in a single World Cup.
Kylian Mbappé scored 10 goals in this World Cup, won the Golden Boot and played a huge role in France’s advance to the semi-finals.
He scored in the round of 32, round of 16 and quarter-finals, and then added two more goals in the third-place match against England.
Mbappé also broke the record for most goals scored in the World Cup, moving to 22. With what he has already done on this stage, Mbappé now has a serious case as the best World Cup player ever.
Erling Haaland had a World Cup campaign that people will tell stories about for years.
His seven goals were incredibly vital in leading Norway to the quarter-finals in their first World Cup campaign since 1998.
This Norwegian team won two matches in the knockout phase and Haaland scored the winning goal in both. He scored the final game-winning goal against Ivory Coast in the round of 32 and then scored twice to help Norway upset Brazil in the round of 16.
At 39 years old, Lionel Messi had as good a campaign as an individual can have in any sport at that age.
He returned to the conversation as one of the best players in the world, playing with eight goals and four assists while putting Argentina on his back and leading them to the final.
Although Argentina fell short against Spain, Messi’s tournament was another reminder of his greatness.
