Best XI of the World Cup group stages as England pair Rashford and Maguire shine and Mbappe scores three for France
THE WORLD CUP is in full swing and the group stages are all done already.
Brazil and Portugal both lost on Friday meaning no teams progressed through with a perfect 100 per cent win record.
Belgium and Germany crashed out as did Wales and Denmark while Argentina survived an almighty scare.
But now as we head into the knockout stages, SunSport rounds up the best players of the tournament so far...
GK: Wojciech Szczesny
Probably the easiest pick of all is the man between the sticks as Poland No1 Szczesny gets the gloves.
He saved not one but TWO penalties in the groups - denying Salem Al-Dawsari and then Lionel Messi - while his saves helped Poland scrape through at Mexico's expense.
DF: Harry Souttar
Centre-back Souttar has joined an elite list of Scotland-born players to reach the knockout stages of a men's major tournament - with the actual national team never doing so.
But the 24-year-old Stoke ace proved a rock at the back with his manager tipping him for a Premier League transfer - after only just returning from an ACL injury.
DF: Harry Maguire
To say there were question marks over his inclusion in the squad would be an understatement but Maguire has blocked out the noise and let his defending do the talking.
A colossus through the groups, he crashed the bar with a booming header, set up Bukayo Saka and proved unbeatable against USA and Wales.
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DF: Jordi Alba
Playing at his sixth major tournament for Spain, the experienced left-back is still Luis Enrique's first choice - and for good reason.
He grabbed two assists in the opening two games as Spain progressed to the last 16.
RM: Marcus Rashford
Three goals, six shots on target and one beaming smile - Rashford has been a revelation for England.
Again, some considered him fortunate to be in Qatar, but he has more than justified it with his goal immediately after coming on against Iran - his first action since the penalty miss against Italy - then banged in a couple more past Danny Ward.
CM: Gavi
It's easy to forget this lad only turned 18 in August as he runs the show in the middle of the park for Spain.
He secured a team-high seven tackles in the groups and chipped in with a goal in the 7-0 Costa Rica thrashing to become the third-youngest scorer in World Cup history.
CM: Casemiro
The pre-tournament favourites Brazil can reel off an embarrassing list of attacking talent.
But in the absence of Neymar, it was the United man who blasted in a cracker to see off Switzerland - at the other end he helped the Selecao to two clean sheets before being rested for the Cameroon defeat.
LM: Cody Gakpo
Memphis Depay's injury concerns threatened to wreck Holland's relatively-routine Group A campaign - Gakpo stepped up, though.
He grabbed a goal in all three games and no doubt added a few millions to his transfer value at home with PSV.
CAM: Bruno Fernandes
After his frosty welcome for Cristiano Ronaldo, it is the current Manchester United man making more of a mark on the World Cup.
He chipped in with two assists in the opener against Ghana then got both goals in the 2-0 victory over Uruguay - the first a cross which Ronaldo did NOT get a touch on and then his controversial penalty.
RS: Enner Valencia
What an eventful three games for the Ecuador striker who lit the World Cup up in the opening game with two goals - plus had THAT goal ruled out in the opening couple of minutes.
Then the ex-West Ham man added another against the Netherlands before being taken off on a stretcher and making a stunning recovery as the South Americans were knocked out by Senegal.
LS: Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe carried on where he left off in Russia four years ago with a goal against Australia and two past Denmark.
Arguably the best player in the world right now and was clearly missed when he was given a rest for France's defeat to Tunisia.
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A few notable mentions must go to the likes of Jamal Musiala, Enzo Fernandez, Mohammed Kudus, Alvaro Morata, Jude Bellingham and Pedri.
Tyler Adams, Tajon Buchanan, Christian Pulisic and Richarlison have also impressed at Qatar 2022 - with only the Canadian star the only one heading home early.