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Spain are FIFA world champions for the second time in their history after a 1-0 extra-time victory over Lionel Messi and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday to close the biggest edition of the tournament in history.
With the first 48-team World Cup now over, many players put in fabulous performances throughout the tournament. But only 11 can be selected for the best XI of the World Cup.
As the world looks back on an incredible tournament, here is FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas’ best World Cup XI.
Unai Simón enters the goal after winning the Golden Glove.
It was a historic World Cup campaign for Simón, who kept seven clean sheets and conceded just one goal. This is the fewest goals conceded by a team en route to a World Cup victory.
Simón played a crucial role with his shot-stopping, ability to play from the back and his role as a sweeping keeper, constantly sniffing out attacks coming from behind the Spanish backline.
Marc Cucurella came into this tournament widely recognized as one of the best left-backs in the world, and he showed it at the World Cup.
He was stable defensively in the best defense of the tournament while also being present on offense with his energy running up and down the field.
Aymeric Laporte turned back the clock with a superb World Cup for Spain, anchoring the backline as an experienced partner alongside teenage centre-back Pau Cubarsí.
Laporte helped lead a defense that conceded the fewest goals ever by a World Cup-winning team. His ability to play from the back and his defensive stability were cornerstones for Spain throughout the tournament.
Cristian Romero was a vital part of Argentina’s winning 2022 World Cup campaign, and he continued to be one in this tournament.
Not only was he willing to put it all on the line defensively, but he also made an impact in the offensive surface as a scoring threat. This included his goal against Egypt to bring Argentina back into this match, as well as the deflected header as an own goal to win the round of 16 against Cape Verde.
Pedro Porro showed his true level playing for Spain in this World Cup.
After an inconsistent season at Tottenham, Porro put together a solid tournament. Spain initially started Marcos Llorente at right back, but Porro eventually earned the starting spot and became a key player throughout the tournament.
He was not only solid defensively, but also present in attack, scoring in the round of 16 against Austria and again in the semi-final against France.
Rodri won the Ballon d’Or as the best player on the best team, playing at a high level throughout the World Cup.
He showed signs of the level he was at before tearing his ACL following his Ballon d’Or and European Championship winning campaign.
Rodri’s decision-making, processing speed and defensive strength in front of Laporte and Cubarsí were huge for Spain. After this tournament, Rodri could be on his way to a second Ballon d’Or.
Jude Bellingham had a monster tournament, scoring seven goals from midfield.
The ability he showed to get into the box was enormous, and his clutch moments were on another level. Whenever England were in a hole and needed someone to dig themselves out of it, Bellingham seemed to be there, showing their class and scoring vital goals.
Michael Olise is as silky as a footballer can be, and he has shown his quality and creativity at this World Cup.
Even though he didn’t score any goals, his tournament was fabulous thanks to the creativity he brought to France. Olise allowed players like Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué to flourish thanks to the consistency with which he created chances.
Olise finished with seven assists, breaking Pelé’s record for the most assists recorded at a single World Cup.
Kylian Mbappé scored 10 goals at this World Cup, won the Golden Boot and played a huge role in France’s run to the semi-finals.
He scored in the round of 16, round of 16 and quarter-finals, then added two more goals in the third-place match against England.
Mbappé also broke the record for most career goals scored at the World Cup, rising to 22. With what he has already done on this stage, Mbappé now has a serious case as the greatest World Cup player in history.
Erling Haaland led a World Cup campaign that people will tell stories about for years to come.
His seven goals were incredibly vital in taking Norway to the quarter-finals in their first World Cup campaign since 1998.
This Norwegian team won two knockout matches, with Haaland scoring the winning goal in both cases. He scored the winner against Ivory Coast in the round of 16, then scored twice to help Norway upset Brazil in the round of 16.
At 39, Lionel Messi has had about as good a campaign as an individual in any sport can have at that age.
He came back into the conversation as one of the best players in the world, scoring eight goals and four assists while putting Argentina on his back and advancing to the final.
Even though Argentina fell short against Spain, Messi’s tournament was another reminder of his greatness.
