Lingard and Memphis land perfect 10s to lead World Cup best XI

 

Jesse Lingard and Memphis Depay each earned perfect WhoScored 10 ratings after their respective showings against Andorra and Montenegro, but it's Poland who dominate the team of the week after romping to a 7-1 win over San Marino as run through the best XI. 

 

Yann Sommer (Switzerland) - 9.44 

 

Italy may have made history by extending their unbeaten run to 36 matches, but they would have done so with victory were it not for the exploits of Yann Sommer between the sticks. The Switzerland number one made seven saves in their 0-0 draw with the Euro 2020 champions, including a penalty stop to deny Jorginho, to feature with a WhoScored rating of 9.44. 

 

Jonas Hofmann (Germany) - 8.54 

 

The first of two Germany players to make the cut, Hansi Flick's side romped to a 6-0 win over Armenia with Jonas Hofmann doing enough to make the cut at right-back. Hofmann netted in the resounding victory, netting with one of two shots, and got forward well, completing two dribbles. Armenia also enjoyed little fortune attacking the Gladbach star as he made three tackles to help land a WhoScored rating of 8.54. 

 

Michal Helik (Poland) - 8.28 

 

Poland are the dominant side in the World Cup qualifying team of the week following their 7-1 thrashing of international minnows San Marino. Michal Helik provided the assist for the first of Adam Buksa's second half hat-trick, that coming from one of three key passes. In addition, Helik returned a pass success rate of 92.9% and, when needed to defend, was solid as he made five interceptions, three clearances and two tackles to contribute towards his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 8.28. 

 

Nikola Milenkovic (Serbia) - 8.04 

 

Serbia made light work of Luxembourg on Saturday evening, easing to a 4-1 victory to maintain their lead at the top of Group A. Nikola Milenkovic rounded off the win with a late goal as he hit the back of the net with his only effort in the clash. The towering centre-back was solid in the air, winning all four contested aerial duels, while an additional three tackles and two interceptions sees him partner Helik at the heart of the defence with a WhoScored rating of 8.04. 

 

Ezgjan Alioski (North Macedonia) - 8.66 

 

Completing the backline is North Macedonia's Ezgjan Alioski after he played a key role in their 2-2 draw with Iceland. Alioski had a direct hand in both goals, following up his assist for Darko Velkovski's opener with a goal of his own 10 minutes after the break. The 29-year-old's assist came from one of five key passes and his goal from one of two shots in the stalemate. While North Macedonia were unable to hold out for all three points, Alioski was still good value for his WhoScored rating of 8.66. 

 

Jesse Lingard (England) - 10.0 

 

England maintained their 100% record in World Cup qualifying with a 4-0 win over Andorra with Jesse Lingard playing a starring role. Lingard had a direct hand in three of the Three Lions' four goals, hitting the back of the net with two of his five shots and providing the assist for Bukayo Saka's late goal, that coming from one of two key passes. The 28-year-old was on hand to make two tackles and complete two dribbles as he earned a perfect WhoScored 10 rating. 

 

Lingard and Memphis land perfect 10s to lead World Cup best XI

 

Leon Goretzka (Germany) - 9.30 

 

The second Germany player in the XI, Leon Goretzka provided two assists in their 6-0 win over Armenia, setting up first half goals for Serge Gnabry and Timo Werner. Goretzka's brace of assists came from four key passes as the Bayern midfielder put in a performance warranting a WhoScored rating of 9.30. 

 

Damian Dawid Szymanski (Poland) - 8.41 

 

Joining Goretzka in the middle of the park is Poland's Damian Dawid Szymanski after a solid outing against San Marino. The 26-year-old provided the assist for Robert Lewandowski's second goal in the 7-1 rout, that coming from one three key passes. Szymanski put in a fine shift out of possession, too, as he made two tackles and one interception to return a WhoScored rating of 8.41. 

 

Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) - 9.38 

 

Netherlands have two players in the best XI, with Cody Gakpo making the cut on the left flank after impressing in the Oranje's 4-0 win over Montenegro. The PSV youngster had a direct hand in two of their four goals, providing the assist for Memphis Depay's second goal on the hour mark and then getting on the scoresheet himself with 15 minutes to play, with those coming from respective returns of three key passes and four shots, as Gakpo earned a WhoScored rating of 9.38. 

 

Memphis Depay (Netherlands) - 10.0 

 

Featuring on the frontline is Barcelona and Netherlands star Memphis Depay after hitting a brace against Montenegro. The 27-year-old managed six shots in the Oranje's 4-0 win on Saturday night and was unfortunate not to add an assist as he managed six key passes. An additional two dribbles saw Depay earn his second perfect WhoScored 10 rating of World Cup qualifying. 

 

Robert Lewandowski (Poland) - 9.52 

 

Joining Depay on the frontline is Polish goal machine Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern superstar was brought off at the break with the game done and dusted after having a direct hand in three goals prior to his withdrawal. Lewandowski netted twice in the first half and then provided the assist for Karol Linetty's strike shortly before the interval, those coming from respective returns of four shots and two key passes. Two successful dribbles contributed towards his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 9.52.

Lingard and Memphis land perfect 10s to lead World Cup best XI