​The past three World Cup quarterfinals delivered action-packed drama, with tight matches, brilliant goals, heroic defending, and a dash of controversy. Unsurprisingly, the final four teams are the top seeds for the first time in World Cup history. Here are the round’s awards, with nominees from each match and a winner for the entire round. Share your picks in the comments below.
Mbappé dictated play against Morocco for most of the match, scoring the opener in the 60th minute and assisting the second goal six minutes later. He finished with four shots and created four chances for his teammates, forcing numerous saves and parries from Morocco’s keeper. Although he ultimately missed a penalty, he did win one for his team by drawing a foul in the box. He likely should have had a second goal, if not a hat-trick!
The 18-year-old sensation was again exceptional in this quarterfinal against Belgium. He did not find the net, but he led the match with six shots and logged the most touches in the box, twelve, showcasing how dangerous he is every time the ball comes to his feet. His performances continue to be astonishing for someone so young and already so influential.
Bellingham rose to the occasion for a second consecutive week, delivering two superb goals. His first came after a crucial pass looked set to be intercepted inside the box, yet he maneuvered past the challenge and fired a precise shot past the keeper. His match-winner, reminiscent of Spain’s style, came from a keeper mistake that he pounced on to tuck away in extra time. With the brace, Bellingham becomes the youngest player with a brace in two straight knockout matches.
Messi delivered a performance that felt quiet at first glance because he did not score, yet his influence was undeniable when you examine the stats. Against Switzerland, he produced the most shots (six), attempted the most shots (four), and completed the most dribbles (five) of any player on either side. He also assisted the opening goal from a corner, underscoring his all-around contribution.
Doué helped France dissect Morocco’s defense with authority. He recorded three shots and created three chances for teammates to shoot, including the assist on Mbappé’s opener. The 21-year-old also contributed defensively, sprinting up and down the left flank to control that side of the field.
Cubarsi was a constant presence on both ends of the pitch for the full 90 minutes. He completed an impressive 98% of his passes, misplacing only two. Thirteen of his passes found their way into the final third, initiating attacks from the back. He also contributed a shot on goal and earned chances that kept the pressure on the opposition, underscoring his reliability and value on both sides of the ball.