FourFourTwoSA selects the World Cup Team of the Round for matchday two as Harry Kane’s hat-trick sends England through, while Romelu Lukaku and Luka Modric shined in impressive wins, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Rui Patricio (Portugal)
The Portuguese stopper had to be on top of his game to keep out a determined Morocco side in his team’s 1-0 win. Patricio pulled off a number of top-class saves to keep Portugal’s lead in-tack to get his clean sheet and help his side edge towards the last-16 in the process.
Right back: Thomas Meunier (Belgium)
Deployed as a right-wing back by Belgium, Meunier terrorised the Tunisian left flank in their 5-2 victory over the North African side. Not only did the Paris Saint-Germain man offer a defensive stability but he also got forward to great affect and even got himself an assist when his delightful ball was latched onto by Lukaku for Belgium’s third.
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Centre back: John Stones (England)
Stones was one of the stars of England’s record 6-1 win over Panama. The Manchester City man bagged himself a brace after scoring both the first and fourth goals, which both came from set-pieces. Not only was Stones a constant threat from set-pieces, but he was also calm and composed with the ball at his feet, adding to England’s possession-based style.
Centre back: Yerri Mina (Colombia)
The Barcelona man put in a star performance to help guide his team to a 3-0 victory over Poland. Not only did he perform valiantly at the back, ensuring that Robert Lewandowski remained quiet, but he also scored the important breakthrough goal when he headered home a James Rodriguez cross to keep his sides World Cup hopes alive.
Left-back: Marcelo (Brazil)
The Real Madrid star was at his marauding best in his side’s 2-0 win over Costa Rica as he offered his team the sort of threat we have become so accustomed to seeing from the Brazilian. Marcelo was also quick to snuff out any danger while defending, helping his side keep a clean sheet, and offered an attacking threat throughout.
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Right midfield: Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland)
The Stoke City man made all the headlines as his last-minute goal gave his side a 2-1 win over Serbia. After watching his side concede an early goal, Shaqiri turned on the style. The winger hit the post early on in the second half before Granit Xhaka scored a cracking equaliser. The former Bayern Munich winger was then slipped through on goal in the dying seconds, he kept his composure to beat the goalkeeper and gave his side a famous victory. Shaqiri may been in hot water for his controversial goal celebration, but that is not enough to keep him out of this Team of the Round.
Centre midfield: Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)
The Barcelona man put in yet another standout performance to help his Brazil team past Costa Rica. The Midfielder offered guile and trickery throughout as he attempted to unlock the stubborn Costa Rican defence. Finally, in the first minute of added time, Coutinho’s persistence paid off as he reacted quickest to a Gabriel Jesus knockdown to poke the ball past Keylor Navas and give his team the lead. Brazil scored another late goal through Neymar to put the result beyond doubt.
Centre midfield: Luka Modric (Croatia)
The Croatian midfield maestro put in a memorable performance as he bossed the midfield battle to help earn his side a famous 3-0 win over Argentina. The Real Madrid man combined with Ivan Rakitic and Marcelo Brazovic to starve the Argentines of the ball, keeping their dangerous forwards isolated throughout. Modric capped off a brilliant performance when his long-range screamer doubled his side’s lead before Rakitic’s late third rounded off the scoring.
Left midfield: Eden Hazard (Belgium)
The Belgium skipper put in a real captain’s performance as he led his side to a 5-2 win over Tunisia. Hazard opened the scoring early on, converting a penalty which he won himself, before his second just after half-time gave his side a 4-1 lead. Hazard looks to be hitting top form as his side look forward to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Striker: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
The Manchester United striker scored his second consecutive brace in his sides comprehensive win over Tunisia. Lukaku latched onto a Dries Mertens pass to double his side’s advantage after Hazard’s penalty gave them an early lead. Tunisia hit back with a goal of their own before Luakau dealt the African side a damaging blow by scoring his side’s third goal with the last kick off the first half. The striker was taken off with 30 minutes to play, denying him the chance of a World Cup hat-trick.
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Striker: Harry Kane (England)
Kane was the star man in England’s 6-1 rout of Panama, scoring a hat-trick to take his World Cup total to five goals and place him in the lead of the race for the Golden Boot. The England captain scored his side’s second and fifth goals both from the penalty spot, as his side went into half-time well in control. The Tottenham Hotspur man may have had a huge strike of luck with his third goal, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s shot deflected off the striker to loop over the keeper, but that would not bother Kane who’s first World Cup hat-trick seals his spot in the Team of the Round.
