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There was a mix of stunning individual team performances as well as some outstanding solo efforts in the round of 16.
Russia kept Spain at arm's length to win on penalties and Sweden held on to defend their 1-0 lead against Switzerland, while Kylian Mbappe and Neymar produced great individual performances to earn wins for France and Brazil.
A special mention must go to Kasper Schmeichel who kept out Luka Modric's late penalty to force a shootout as Denmark went home despite the goalkeeper twice saving from the spot.
Show all 12 1 /12World Cup team of the round of 16 World Cup team of the round of 16 World Cup team of the round of 16 Find out which players make it in the best team of the round of 16
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World Cup team of the round of 16 Igor Akinfeev The veteran goalkeeper was the deciding player in Russia and Spain’s penalty shootout. He saved efforts from Koke and Iago Aspas as Russia continued to impress in their home World Cup by advancing to the quarter-final.
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World Cup team of the round of 16 Benjamin Pavard What is it with right-backs and scoring great goals in this World Cup? His slow rising half volley against Argentina is a serious contender for goal of the tournament.
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World Cup team of the round of 16 Harry Maguire It was not clear who would start as England’s third centre-back alongside Kyle Walker and John Stones in their first game, but there is no doubt that Maguire is emerging as one of England’s best defenders. Barring a dive, his performance against Colombia was the latest in a very good series of games in the World Cup.
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World Cup team of the round of 16 Andreas Granqvist The Swedish captain added to his two goals in the group stage with a very good defensive display against Switzerland. He was strong, robust and let very little get past him.
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World Cup team of the round of 16 Ilya Kutepov The entire Russian defence deserves a mention after their performance against Spain. They stuck to their task and denied Spain’s creative players any space on the edge of the penalty area.
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World Cup team of the round of 16 Casemiro The Real Madrid player has been dominating midfields in Champions League matches and continued that for Brazil in the World Cup. His good game against Mexico was marred by a yellow card which rules him out of the quarter-final tie against Belgium.
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World Cup team of the round of 16 N'Golo Kante It was another dominating performance from N’Golo Kante who did a good job in midfield as France beat Argentina. His passing from the back was straightforward but influential in the way he quickly shifted the ball to players like Antoine Griezmann.
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World Cup team of the round of 16 Ivan Rakitic It may not have been the most eye-catching performance from Croatia against Denmark, but Ivan Rakitic’s partnership with Luka Modric in the centre of midfield on one to be feared.
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World Cup team of the round of 16 Kylian Mbappe The 20-year-old, yes 20, announced himself to the few in the world who didn’t already know his name with an outstanding performance against Argentina. He scored a brace and won a penalty with a scintillating from inside his own half.
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World Cup team of the round of 16 Neymar Neymar has grown into this tournament as it’s progressed and is beginning to look like he’s back to full fitness. He created plenty of chances for Brazil against Mexico before tapping the ball into the net and setting up Roberto Firmino to win the game.
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World Cup team of the round of 16 Edinson Cavani Edinson Cavani’s brace against Portugal was a weight of the PSG forward’s shoulders as he ended accusations that he fails to deliver in big games. He took his two goals very well but was forced off with an injury which was thought to rule him out of the game against France, however the extent of his knock is not as bad as first feared.
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