Top players from the 2018 World Cup

Tunisia didn't make it out of the group stage in Russia, but did post its first World Cup victory in 40 years, 2-1 over Panama in their finale. Khazri's goal in the 66th minute was the difference, and his second of the tournament. The No. 10, who played for Ligue 1 side Rennes on loan from Sunderland this past season, also had two assists and was the Tunisians' most consistent performer in the tournament.

Once a national team outcast, Cheryshev didn't even start Russia's 5-0 rout of Saudi Arabia to open the tournament. However, he came on to score two of his four goals at the World Cup in that opener. Teammate Aleksandr Golovin rightfully earned praise for his playmaking skills, but without Cheryshev's efforts, Russia might not have made that improbable run to the quarterfinals. 

This wasn't an easy World Cup for the Barcelona superstar. He opened with a missed penalty against Iceland and got further harassed during a 3-0 loss to Croatia. But Messi helped Argentina persevere through the drama surrounding his team with a stunning goal and overall strong play to earn Man of the Match honors in the win over Nigeria that got Albiceleste to the last-16. He finished with 17 shots and 360 minutes played.   

The jokes, memes and gifs of his dives and overzealous post-tackle ground antics have made the Brazilian star look like a cartoon character. But nobody took more shots (27) overall or on target (13) than Neymar, who scored twice and had an assist. Like Messi, Neymar had to work for what he got and couldn't make enough happen in a 2-1 loss to Belgium in the quarters. 

Not necessarily a household name when the tournament started, Subasic introduced himself to the soccer world thanks to his work in shootouts against Denmark — three saves — and Russia. Despite a leg injury in the quarterfinals against Russia, the 33-year-old Subasic stuck it out and helped his team keep its World Cup title dream alive. 

A rising star in the Premier League, Pickford made an even bigger name for himself on the world stage in Russia. Whether it be his timely saves or overall exuberance, Pickford was a big reason for England matching its second-best World Cup performance. Pickford, who recorded 17 saves, just seemed to be having a good time on the pitch.

It's unfair to say one moment was enough to get Lozano on this list, but his goal in the 35th minute of Mexico's stunning 1-0 victory over Germany to open group play might have been the biggest moment in Mexican soccer history. The passion and poise he showed at the World Cup made plenty take notice, including Manchester United, who are reportedly interested in the PSV man.

Diego Costa was Spain's finisher in Russia, but Isco did everything else. The Real Madrid man did have a goal, but he always seemed available and fared well in one-versus-one situations more often than not. Isco may be the guy Spain needs to lead it into the future. 

While Neymar was chided for his antics, teammate Coutinho was a solid force in the midfield for Brazil. He had a pair of goals and two assists and was Man of the Match in Brazil's first two group games. He did what was asked to be his nation's most valuable performer in what proved to be a disappointing tournament for Brazil.

James Rodriguez's injury issues overshadowed pretty much everything Colombia accomplished at this year's World Cup, but Mina did his best to earn his share of the spotlight. The Barcelona — for now — defender scored three times, was a monster on set pieces in the air both converting and defending. Like Rodriguez in 2014, Mina enjoyed his own break out this year.

It's uncertain if Uruguay would have fared better against France in the quarterfinals had Edinson Cavani been fit, but Laxalt was a big reason it got that far. A midfielder by trade, Laxalt excelled at left back in Russia as Uruguay allowed just one goal through the round of 16. He was very active and supportive for a team that needed that type of performance.

At 6-foot-4, Granqvist made his presence felt on the back end for Sweden. He scored twice, blocked 12 shots and cleared 43. Without the stellar play of its captain, Sweden likely doesn't make it to the knockout round.

Luka Modric is the heart and soul of the Croatian team, but Perisic tied Mario Mandzukic for the team lead with three goals. Perisic proved to be a dangerous option for the Croatians while enjoying his own coming out party. His goal in the final loss against France tied the game early.

Denmark can thank the Leicester City keeper for reaching the knockout round, and almost beating Croatia at that stage. Though his impressive stretch without allowing a goal ended in Russia, Schmeichel stopped 91.3 percent of shots — best in the tournament for a keeper who played more than one game. His stop of Luka Modric's penalty in extra-time in the last-16 was something special.

De Bruyne didn't fill the score sheet as he did with Manchester City this past season, but was valuable to the Belgians in a variety of ways. He was always active whether as a playmaker or putting himself in position to convert. De Bruyne worked well with Man U rival Romelu Lukaku to help Belgium's "Golden Generation" to third place.

Aside from his hat trick in Portugal's wild opening draw with Spain, Ronaldo drew his biggest headlines after his side was eliminated in the round of 16 by Uruguay. His announcement to leave Real Madrid for Juventus late in the World Cup was as of big news in Russia as in either Spain or Italy. Ronaldo did what he does: score. But as expected, he did not have enough around him for Portugal to be a real threat.

Naturally, there was concern as to whether the 25-year-old striker would be mature enough to handle all the World Cup has to offer, but Lukaku held his own. He scored four goals but also showed some play-making skills of his own. On a team filled with proven talent, Lukaku fit in just fine.

Roberto Martinez's Belgium side was full of stars, but Courtois shined as bright as any of them. Huge saves against Brazil in the quarterfinals kept the Belgians rolling and he also had his moments in the semifinal loss to France. His 27 saves were the most in the tournament and helped him claim the Golden Glove as the event's top keeper.

With a tournament-leading six goals, Kane became England's first Golden Boot winner since Gary Lineker in 1986. His tiebreaker in stoppage time of the Three Lions' 2-1 opening victory over Tunisia has gone down in English football lore. The new face of England soccer recorded a hat trick in the next match against Panama, but did not score in the quarterfinals, semifinals or third-place playoff. 

Griezmann was as offensively productive (four goals, two  assists) as anybody in the tournament, but did so within the confines of Didier Deschamps' system. He never tried to do too much but was active enough to seemingly always be a threat to pressure on the attack. His work on set pieces in the final was brilliant and why France's earned a second World Cup title. 

An overall menace to the opposition, Hazard was a wizard with the ball and even added a pair of goals in the tournament. The Chelsea midfielder completed 174 of his 209 pass attempts and masterfully created opportunities for a side that scored a tournament-record 16 goals. According to FIFA, Hazard's been part of 25 goals (12 goals, 13 assists) in the last 25 games for Belgium.

The work the Chelsea man does in the middle of the field is purely magical. The best defensive midfielder in the game often frustrated the opposition's playmaker just like he did for Leicester City and currently for Chelsea. Griezmann and Mbappe tend to find the spotlight, but Kante was the reason France hoisted the World Cup trophy again even though he was taken off against Croatia following a yellow card. 

Pogba proved to be the poster boy for Didier Deschamps' desired makeup of the French team. He wanted players that could use their talent to work together as a unit. Pogba, surely capable of being an offensive threat, was at his best stymieing the opposition in the midfield and a wonder defending set pieces with his size and physical play. He was rewarded with his only goal of the tournament in the final.

With four goals, including two against Argentina in the last-16 and one in the final versus Croatia, it was easy for the 19-year-old Paris native to draw comparisons to the great Pele, who made his World Cup debut in 1958 at 17. Perhaps the fastest player in the tournament, Mbappe, who joined Pele as the only teenagers to score in a final, was named the Best Young Player of the tournament.

The Croatian talisman's motor never stopped, no matter how long the matches lasted or the minutes piled up. The heart of the Croatia side, Modric was involved in just about everything his team did and was a well-deserved recipient of the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player. Already one of the best players in the world for his overall game, Modric remained at that elite level while leading Croatia to its best World Cup finish.