Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon must be wondering what more he had to do to make it into FIFA’s World Cup Team of the Tournament.
The team, officially dubbed the ‘Dream XI’, was voted on by fans across the world.
Simon was beaten just once throughout the entire competition as Spain went on to win their first World Cup in 16 years.
The only time Simon conceded came during Spain’s 2-1 win over Belgium in the quarter-finals when Charles De Ketelaere headed home from close range.
Simon’s seven clean sheets from eight games earned him the Golden Glove, which is awarded to the goalkeeper who concedes the fewest goals at the World Cup.
Which goalkeeper beat Unai Simon to the Team of the Tournament?
However, the accolade was not good enough to earn a spot in the team of the tournament.
Instead, it was Cape Verde glovesman Vozinha who was named to the team.
The 40-year-old became an instant cult hero when he helped the African island nation keep an improbable clean sheet against Spain in their World Cup opener.
Vozinha’s stunning exploits between the sticks made him a viral hit on social media.
He boasted nearly 40,000 Instagram followers before the tournament but that figure has risen to a whopping 29.5million.
On the pitch, Vozinha ended the World Cup with 18 saves made, the eighth-most across all goalkeepers.
Paraguay’s Orlando Gill was the busiest of all the World Cup goalkeepers, making a whopping 28 saves.
Which defenders made the Team of the Tournament?
The defensive four in the team of the tournament was comprised of Marc Cucurella, Dayot Upamecano, Lisandro Martinez and Pedro Porro.
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Cucurella and Porro were part of the dominant Spanish back line that shipped just one goal.
Yet there was no room for Aymeric Laporte or Pau Cubarsi, who formed a dominant partnership at centre-back for La Roja.
Adding to the weight of Cubarsi’s snub was the fact he was named the Young Player of the Tournament.
Martinez started all but one of Argentina’s eight games at the World Cup, but his tournament ended in cruel fashion as he was forced off with an injury during the final.
Upamecano helped France reach the semi-finals, where they ran into a rampant Spain.
Prior to their semi-final clash, France had conceded just two goals in six games.
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Which midfielders made the Team of the Tournament?
Although the goalkeeper and defence may have left room for debate, there would be little argument for the midfield three, which was comprised of Rodri, Jude Bellingham and Michael Olise.
Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball, given to the best player of the tournament, thanks to his exploits for Spain.
Olise finished the tournament with seven assists, one shy of equalling fellow Frenchman Raymond Kopa’s record which has stood since 1958.
As for Bellingham, his seven goals from midfield for England placed him third in the Golden Boot race.
Of those seven goals, four came in the Three Lions’ victories over Mexico and Norway in the round of 16 and quarter-final respectively, underlining Bellingham’s propensity to step up in the big moments.
Which forwards made the Team of the Tournament?
Similarly to the midfield, the front three largely picked themselves.
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Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe, who scored a staggering ten goals and contributed four assists, was a shoe-in for the team of the tournament.
The French skipper’s haul also made him the World Cup record goalscorer, with a whopping 22 goals scored across three tournaments.
As was Lionel Messi who, at age 39, proved that there was plenty of magic left in his legs.
Messi inspired Argentina to a third World Cup final in four tournaments on the back of his eight goals and four assists.
Norway’s Erling Haaland completed the team of the tournament having scored seven goals.
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