World Cup 2022 Team of the Week: Rashford, Havertz, Koulibaly

The Netherlands and Senegal unsurprisingly claimed the top two spots in Group A ahead of Ecuador and hosts Qatar, who have bowed out of their own tournament without a single point to their name.

England's spot at the top of Group B was never in any real doubt, and they will be joined in the knockout stages by the USA, whose win over Iran condemned Team Melli to an early exit alongside Wales.

Despite losing 2-0 to Group C winners Argentina, Poland still made it through to the next stage on goal difference, as Mexico and Saudi Arabia waved their goodbyes.

However, the first of several shocks arrived in Group D, as Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark - who finished rock bottom of the section - missed out on a last-16 place alongside Tunisia, with France and Australia booking their spots in the next round.

Four-time winners Germany have also been knocked out at the first hurdle for the second competition running following Japan and Spain's top-two finishes in Group E, while Costa Rica also bode farewell to the tournament.

The fabled 'golden generation' of Belgium may have passed up their final shot at international glory after a disappointing third-placed finish in Group F behind Croatia and Morocco, who qualified in first following victory over a pointless Canada.

Despite getting one over the five-time champions in Brazil, who topped Group G, Cameroon's efforts were not enough for them to pip Switzerland to second place after the Rossocrociati edged a five-goal thriller with Serbia.

Finally, Ghana's revenge mission against Uruguay in Group H did not quite follow the script, but both countries were left disconsolate at the full-time whistle on Friday, as South Korea beat Portugal to seal both sides' progression.

Here, Sports Mole picks its Team of the Week for the latest round of World Cup 2022 fixtures.

DEFENCE

Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy can consider himself unfortunate to miss out after keeping Brazil at bay superbly, but Poland would not be in the last 16 without the heroics of Wojciech Szczesny, who is now part of an exclusive club to proudly boast that they have saved a Lionel Messi penalty. Justice was arguably done following the awarding of the soft spot kick, and the Juventus man made nine saves in total during a phenomenal display.

All eyes have been on Croatia starlet Josko Gvardiol amid links with a big-money move to the Premier League, and the 20-year-old did not disappoint against Belgium, making nine clearances, a 95% pass accuracy and two tackles, including an excellent last-ditch challenge to prevent the wasteful Romelu Lukaku from scoring a tap-in.

From a potential future Chelsea centre-back to a current one, Kalidou Koulibaly took his winning goal against Ecuador on the volley like a seasoned striker, and the Senegal captain also won all seven of his ground duels and made 10 clearances in a monstrous display.

Koulibaly's fellow African Enzo Ebosse's efforts were ultimately in vain against Brazil, but take nothing away from the Udinese man's individual showing on the day, as he recorded five clearances, four tackles and won both of his aerial duels to keep many people's favourites at bay.

MIDFIELD

Some were quick to label Achraf Hakimi's assist to Youssef En-Nesyri against Canada as the best one of the tournament so far, as the Morocco wing-back picked out his compatriot with a delightful long ball over the top and also made two crucial interceptions in a determined display.

Over at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, Mexico's midfield maestro Luis Chavez has put his name into the hat for the goal of the tournament award after sending a breathtaking free kick into the top corner against Saudi Arabia - one of his nine shots on the day - and he very nearly made lightning strike twice with a similar effort which was saved by Mohammed Al-Owais.

Elsewhere in Group C, Brighton & Hove Albion's breakthrough star Alexis Mac Allister justified his inclusion in the starting lineup for Argentina's win over Poland, breaking Szczesny's resistance with a first-time finish right into the side of the net, while he also came up with three key passes and a 96% accuracy in an all-around stellar showing.

Following the success of the La Albiceleste man, it was over to La Celeste's Giorgian de Arrascaeta to try to do the same against Ghana, and he did not let his nation down. The 28-year-old nodded home from close range before doubling his tally with a peach of a volley, but he was fortunate to escape punishment after an apparent stamp on Alidu Seidu and was eventually eliminated alongside his teammates.

Tears flowed in Uruguay's clash with Ghana, and it was no different in Germany's showdown with Costa Rica, where the contributions of Serge Gnabry counted for nought. The Bayern Munich winger opened the scoring with a brilliant header across goal before picking out Kai Havertz later on in the contest, but past mistakes came back to bite Die Mannschaft nonetheless.

ATTACK

When it comes to a picture painting a thousand words, Kai Havertz receiving his man of the match award in Germany's win over Costa Rica was the dictionary definition. The Chelsea man delivered off the bench when his side were staring down the barrel of defeat - chipping Keylor Navas before peeling away to make it a brace for himself and be named the game's best player - but his crestfallen face upon being given the trophy showed just how little that individual accolade will matter to him.

Another Premier League attacker who came up with two goals in the final round of group fixtures was rejuvenated Manchester United man Marcus Rashford, who was brought in for a start against Wales and repaid the faith shown in him by Gareth Southgate, netting a divine free kick before cutting inside to finish through the legs of Danny Ward, and the Three Lions boss now has the best kind of selection dilemma for the knockout rounds.

SPORTS MOLE'S WORLD CUP 2022 TEAM OF THE WEEK

Sports Mole's World Cup Team of the Week (3-4-3): Szczesny; Koulibaly, Gvardiol, Ebosse; Hakimi, Chavez, Mac Allister, Gnabry; De Arrascaeta, Havertz, Rashford