Messi, Neymar and Fernandes make World Cup quarter final best XI

With four teams now left in the competition, we look back at the best XI from the World Cup quarter finals. Seven of the eight teams featured in this XI with Argentina having the most representatives in the squad with three, while there are no England players present in the team. 

Dominik Livakovic  (Croatia) – 8.06 

Croatia's Dominik Livakovic followed up from his man of the match performance against Japan to make 11 saves against Brazil, which is the most by a goalkeeper in a single match in the 2022 World Cup. No goalkeeper beat his WhoScored rating of 8.06 against Brazil, which earned him his place in the quarter finals best XI. 

Eder Militao (Brazil) – 7.50 

Militao was solid at the back for Brazil, and his WhoScored rating of 7.50 was largely helped by the fact he was off the pitch by the time Croatia scored in the 117th minute, after having being substituted in half time of extra time. The Real Madrid defender returned a 92% pass success rate, as well as having a 100% tackle success rate. 

Cristian Romero (Argentina) - 7.04 

The Tottenham centre-back , who earned a 7.04 WhoScored rating, came off before both of Netherlands' goals, which explains why his return is much higher than the rest of the Argentine defence. Romero had a pass success rate of 93%, as well as a 100% tackle success rate. He did pick up a booking in the rowdy affair, but he certainly earned a place in the best XI defence. 

Jawad El-Yamiq (Morocco) – 7.60 

Morocco held on for a famous 1-0 victory against Portugal to take them into the semi finals as the first African team to ever qualify for that stage of the World Cup. Jawad El Yamiq played a big part in that with a solid performance. His 10 clearances was six more than the next Moroccan player, as well as two interceptions. He also won three defensive aerial duels as they held Portugal, which justifies his WhoScored rating of 7.60. 

Yayha Attiat-Allah (Morocco) – 7.66 

Just ahead of his Moroccan teammate, Yayha Attiat-Allah made three key passes, including the assist for Youssef En-Nesyri’s winner. He made four clearances, which is only bettered by El-Yamiq, and the clean sheet that helped to earn his way to a WhoScored rating of 7.66. 

Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) – 7.58 

The only Portugal player in the team, Fernandes was unfortunate to not pick up some attacking returns, which he has been accustomed to in the tournament. The Manchester United midfielder hit the woodwork, had a 100% dribble success rate, created the most key passes for Portugal (3), and mustered a 86% pass success rate. Sadly for Fernandes, Portugal will be going home, but his WhoScored rating of 7.58 was the best in Portugal’s XI. 

Antoine Griezmann (France) 7.56 

Man of the match against England, Antoine Griezmann claimed both assists in France’s 2-1 triumph over the Three Lions. His two key passes was only bettered by Jordan Henderson and was a key factor in Les Blues' progression to the semi finals. Of all players to have played five matches, Griezmann is only below Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in terms of WhoScored ratings, and his rating of 7.56 was worthy of a spot in the best XI. 

Neymar (Brazil) 8.20 

Despite Brazil’s unfortunate exit from the quarter finals on penalties to Croatia, Neymar picked up a WhoScored rating of 8.20, earning him the man of the match. His goal in extra time looked set to be the match winner before Bruno Petkovic equalised with minutes to go, but Neymar’s four dribbles, a match high, along with his five shots on target, which was also a match high, and single key pass had all but inspired Brazil to a semi final place, but it wasn’t to be. 

Marcos Acuna (Argentina) - 7.47 

Acuna, like Romero, was also substituted before the Netherlands came back into the game, so his 7.47 rating wasn’t impacted by the late showing. His two dribbles was not bettered by any player, nor was his three tackles. What's more, he also made two clearances before coming off. 

Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 8.69 

Argentina’s hero, having scored one, made one and scored his penalty in the shootout, Lionel Messi landed up a WhoScored rating of 8.69. Messi’s two shots on target, three key passes, which was the highest in the match, and two dribbles, along with his two goal contributions, helped to make up his match rating, and secure him a spot up front in the best XI. 

Wout Weghorst (Netherlands) – 8.73 

With the highest rating in the best XI, Wout Weghorst came off the bench to save the Netherlands from the brink of elimination and take the game into extra time. The striker, on loan at Besiktas from Burnley, scored two goals after coming off the bench in the 78th minute, and mustered a 100% aerial success rate rate, as the towering frontman tried his best to win the game for the Netherlands.