World Cup Team of the Quarter-Finals - Messi, Griezmann, Tchouameni

Brazil will not be adding a sixth title to their cabinet after losing to Croatia on penalties, with Neymar and Bruno Petkovic coming up with the goals in a 1-1 stalemate before the Checkered Ones prevailed 4-2 on spot kicks.

Unlike their South American counterparts, Argentina have booked their ticket into the semi-finals after surviving a remarkable Netherlands rally to win 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

A new slice of African history was written during Morocco's clash with Portugal, as Youssef En-Nesyri's strike saw the Atlas Lions become the first nation from their continent to reach the semi-finals courtesy of a 1-0 success, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and co disconsolate.

Finally, England's women brought football home at the Euros this summer, but the men will not be following in their footsteps after a 2-1 loss to reigning champions France.

Here, Sports Mole selects its Team of the Week for the World Cup 2022 quarter-finals.

DEFENCE

Suitors are surely queuing up to present their offers to Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who made lightning strike twice in penalty shootouts following his heroics against Japan to crush Brazil's dreams. Before saving from Rodrygo in the shootout, the Dinamo Zagreb man made a whopping 11 stops over the 120 minutes to cement his position as a national hero.

The Checkered Ones' steadfast backline has been a feature of their 2022 tournament, and Celtic's Josip Juranovic was another vital man in that regard. With four clearances, four tackles, three key passes and a 94% pass accuracy, Juranovic did himself proud.

Another day, another brilliant showing for the 20-year-old Josko Gvardiol in the heart of the Croatia backline, but it is his more experienced centre-back partner who gets the nod for us. Dejan Lovren may not be as quick as the man 13 years his junior, but with 10 clearances, a 94% pass accuracy and two out of two aerial duels won, the ex-Liverpool man did an exemplary job at keeping the famed Brazil attack quiet.

Being forced into two defensive changes before meeting Portugal was not what the doctor ordered for Morocco boss Walid Regragui, but his stand-ins performed their hearts out. Firstly, Nayef Aguerd's replacement Jawad El Yamiq came up with 10 clearances, two blocks and two interceptions in an inspired display, while left-back Yahia Attiyat Allah floated in the cross for En-Nesyri to head home - one of two big chances he created on the day.

MIDFIELD

Former Spain boss Luis Enrique had expressed his admiration for Monaco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi after his side's elimination, and it is easy to see where the ex-Roja manager was coming from. Another barnstorming midfield showing from Ounahi saw the 22-year-old dominate the engine room with three successful dribbles, two key passes, and he also drew four fouls as Portugal struggled to contain him.

Speaking of midfield players who were here, there and everywhere in the quarter-finals, step forward Marcelo Brozovic. The Inter Milan midfielder's long-lasting batteries served him extremely well against Brazil and helped him come up with four tackles, three interceptions and two blocks in a stellar performance.

Teun Koopmeiners's audacious free kick right at the death versus Argentina made him a worthy contender for a place, but the Aurelien Tchouameni thunderbolt set France on their way to victory over England on Saturday evening, and the Real Madrid man also completed 90% of his passes and won two of his three aerial duels, although he did give away the first England penalty on the night.

ATTACK

There is still space left in Lionel Messi's cabinet for a World Cup winners' medal, and the 35-year-old is doing everything in his power to make that dream a reality. From producing a slice of silky skill to assist Nahuel Molina before keeping his composure from the spot against the Netherlands, the Paris Saint-Germain attacker's wonderful showing helped him inch ever-closer to that elusive goal.

However, Messi's dream very nearly turned into a nightmare courtesy of a name that stunned Burnley fans at the time, Wout Weghorst. The towering Dutchman nodded home a deft header late on before being alert to poke home Koopmeiners' free kick for a sensational leveller, although his efforts were ultimately in vain.

Finally, England did a rather effective job at neutralizing Kylian Mbappe, but Antoine Griezmann was a different story. The Atletico Madrid creator-in-chief laid off Tchouameni for the opening goal before providing the cross for Olivier Giroud to complete the job and keep France's hopes of back-to-back titles very much alive.

SPORTS MOLE'S WORLD CUP 2022 TEAM OF THE QUARTER-FINALS

Sports Mole's World Cup 2022 Team of the Quarter-Finals (4-3-3): Livakovic; Juranovic, El Yamiq, Lovren, Attiyat Allah; Ounahi, Brozovic, Tchouameni; Messi, Weghorst, Griezmann