In a World Cup resplendent with superstar names, talk is already turning to which players will scoop the individual awards for best player and top scorer.
Here, though, Football Whispers shines a light on the unsung heroes of Russia 2018.
Ivan Rakitic – Croatia
Having topped Group D after hammering Argentina 3-0, Croatia became the dark-horse pick of many soccer fans, with the eastern European nation benefitting from an apparently favorable path to the final.
Most have picked out playmaker and captain Luka Modric as the star of the Croatia show, and the Real Madrid man has been excellent in Russia. But midfield cohort Rakitic has been equally impressive.
The Barcelona star, who scored in the rout of Argentina, has the highest expected goals contribution – a combination of expected goals and expected goals assisted – in the Croatian squad and has added balance to his side with fine work in and out of possession.
You can back Rakitic to lead Croatia to the World Cup final at +187 with bet365.
Make sure to check out our World Cup Odds page for the latest odds on all of the quarterfinal games.
N’Golo Kante – France
With his dazzling skills and defense-splitting passes, Paul Pogba draws the eye in the France midfield.
But behind the Manchester United creator, carrying the defensive burden, closing down and plugging gaps, is Chelsea destroyer Kante.
Kante ranks seventh among midfielders for interceptions at the World Cup thus far with 3.25 per 90 minutes, while also proving a safe pair of hands in possession, completing 90.8 percent of his passes in Russia.
Les Bleus are +400 second-favourites lift the World Cup this month, and with Pogba and Kante in tandem they will be hard to stop.
Thiago Silva – Brazil
Experienced and level-headed center-back Silva is the calming, organising presence at the heart of Brazil’s defense.
The work the veteran Paris Saint-Germain stopper does isn’t flashy and he doesn’t rank highly among World Cup defenders for tackles and interceptions, but this is because he marshals the Brazil backline so effectively that radical evasive action is rarely required.
For all their attacking talent – Neymar, Philippe Coutinho et al – Brazil’s World Cup campaign is built on solid foundations, with just one goal conceded. That’s why, at +275, they are tournament favorites.
Kieran Trippier – England
England’s Harry Kane is leading the race for the Golden Boot with six goals, but the striker’s Tottenham Hotspur club-mate Tripper has played an equally pivotal role in the Three Lions’ run to the last eight.
The flying wing-back has been one of England’s biggest outlets thanks to his precise set-piece deliveries, creating eight chances from dead-ball situations in Russia – joint-best for the tournament alongside Neymar.
Trippier’s England are -110 to get past Sweden inside 90 minutes and book their first World Cup semifinal appearance in 28 years.
Thomas Meunier – Belgium
The current Belgium squad is so jam-packed with world-class talent that they have been labelled the “Golden Generation”, and much is expected of them this summer.
But it is one of the Red Devils’ least-heralded names performing brightest for Roberto Martinez’s men in recent months: wing-back Meunier.
The PSG defender provided seven assists during qualifying and has laid on another two goals at the finals in Russia, in addition to his customary solid defensive work.
With Brazil next up, Belgium have their hands full in the quarterfinals. They are priced at +150 to progress.
**video
