World Cup Team of the Group Stage: Bellingham, Gakpo and Mbappe shine

With the conclusion of the group stages on Friday, Flashscore takes a look at who makes it into a best XI over the last two weeks.

To keep it fair, just one player has been selected per each nation.

Naturally, judging players based on just three games can be difficult and plenty of good performers will have to be left out.

GK - Wojciech Szczesny (Poland)

Szczesny has almost single-handedly dragged Poland to the knockout stages, saving two penalties during the group stages and keeping two clean sheets.

If a save against Saudi Arabia's Salem Al Dawsari wasn't enough, Szczesny went on to keep out one of the greatest players of all time in Lionel Messi during the final group stage game.

Poland only went through on goal difference, which was largely down to the heroics of their goalkeeper.

DEF - Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

In a group with the second and third-placed nations from the 2018 tournament, very few would have had Morocco finishing in first place.

However, the African nation did just that and only conceded once in the process - against an inexperience Canada side.

They kept clean sheets against both Belgium and Croatia, while Hakimi provided an assist for the winner against Canada.

DEF - Harry Souttar (Australia)

Australia are one of many fairytale stories currently still going at the 2022 World Cup, reaching the round of 16 for the first time since 2006.

Despite a heavy 4-1 loss to France in the opening game, the Socceroos went on to win their remaining two matches without conceding a single goal.

Souttar was a big part of that, putting in two very solid performances at the heart of defence.

DEF - Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)

Gvardiol has been of the standout performers at this year's World Cup, impressing in a Croatia side that has coneded just one goal. 

The RB Leipzig defender had actually broken his nose just weeks before the beginning of the competition meaning he has to wear a protective mask, but that hasn't stopped him from being one of the best defenders at the tournament.

MID - Ritsu Doan (Japan)

Japan were one of the feel-good stories of the group stage, topping the percieved 'Group of Death' ahead of Spain, Germany and Costa Rica.

Doan played a huge role in both of Japan's comeback wins against Germany and Spain, scoring in each game as they came from behind to win 2-1 on two separate occasions.

MID - Jude Bellingham (England)

A number of England players could have been included, with Gareth Southgate's team being the best performing nation at the tournament so far (based on points and goal difference, not necessarily performances).

Bellingham has been the standout player by starting all three games and starring in each appearance.

The teenager also scored his first World Cup goal on his first appearance, in the 6-2 thrashing of Iran.

MID - Casemiro (Brazil)

Brazil went into the World Cup as one of the big favourites and still hold that tag despite a shock loss to Cameroon.

Casemiro has been a key part of the South American side, scoring the winner against Switzerland and dominating the midfield whenever he has played.

His form in the middle will be key going into the knockout stages with the Brazilians, who struggled in his absence in their last match.

MID - Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)

Two goals and two assists for Portugal puts Bruno Fernandes right up there as one of the best perofmrers at the tournament so far, outshining some of the other star players in the squad.

While all eyes have been on Cristiano Ronaldo and his behaviour both on and off the pitch, Fernandes has gone somewhat under the radar as Portugal's best player so far.

FWD - Kylian Mbappe (France)

Mbappe has three goals and one assist from two starts, only coming off the bench for France's final game against Tunisia.

The forward has performed exactly how many expected him to, terrorising every fullback he has come up against so far, and is widely expected to continue his fine form going into the latter stages of the tournament.

FWD - Alvaro Morata (Spain)

Morata has scored in all three of Spain's matches so far despite only starting once.

The striker has given them a much needed focal point in attack, with Luis Enrique often opting not to play with a recognised striker.

As seen in the 7-0 win against Costa Rica, that approach can work, but in the following game against Germany it was largely ineffective.

When called upon, Morata has delivered for his national team.

FWD - Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)

Like Morata, Gakpo has scored in every one of his nation's games so far and been a key factor in the Netherlands reaching the round of 16.

Scoring once with his left foot, once with his right and once with his head highlights the skillset of the young winger, who has reportedly been attracting the interests of Manchester United and Liverpool.