2018 FIFA World Cup | Hazard and others who shone at the quarter-finals

The quarter-finals saw many great performances with the likes of Belgium, France and England going through to the semi-finals. Although some stars flopped, most of them lived up to their billing.

Eden Hazard shone for Belgium as he led them from the front with an extraordinary performance. Surprisingly, goalkeepers took away the limelight as Thibaut Courtois and Jordan Pickford were also exceptional.

ALSO READ: 2018 FIFA World Cup | Neymar and others who flopped at the quarter-finals

We have a look at the top five performers from the quarter-finals.

Eden Hazard, Belgium

Hazard has silenced all his critics at this World Cup, giving man-of-the-match performances one after the other. While players like Lukaku and De Bryune took away all the limelight, It is Hazard who has carried Belgium to the semis.

2018 FIFA World Cup, Belgium, Hazard — Belgium’s forward Eden Hazard (R) vies for the ball with Brazil’s forward Willian (Photo: AFP)

He was exceptional once again versus Brazil as he gave the assist for Belgium’s opening goal and won a staggering 20 duels. He completed 9 dribbles and was the chief orchestrator in the middle of the pitch for Belgium.

Raphael Varane, France

Raphael Varane is having a great World Cup as he has led the French defence from the front. He was touted as the next big thing in football, and what better stage than the World Cup to justify this tag.

2018 FIFA World Cup, France, Varane — Raphael Varane celebrates his goal with Antoine Griezmann (Photo: AFP)

Not only did he help France keep a clean sheet, he also scored their opening goal against Uruguay. France won 2-0 and cruised through to the next round and Varane deserves a lot of credit for that, as he was monumental both in attack and defence.

Jordan Pickford, England

There were many questions over England’s number one choice goalkeeper before the start of the World Cup. As Southgate chose Pickford over Stoke City’s Jack Butland, many people had their doubts.

2018 FIFA World Cup, England, Pickford — England’s Jordan Pickford makes a last ditch save against Sweden (Photo: AFP)

With his stellar performance against Sweden, Pickford has successfully cleared all the doubts. He made three exceptional saves to deny Sweden. If not for him, Sweden would have easily taken the game into extra-time.

Luka Modric, Croatia

Modric is the only player competing with Eden Hazard for the golden ball. Just like Hazard, he has given man of the match performances, one after the other.

He bossed the midfield once again versus Russia as Croatia won 4-3 on penalties. He converted from the spot yet again as Croatia reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1998.

2018 FIFA World Cup, Croatia, Modric — Croatia’s midfielder Luka Modric celebrates after Croatia’s victory over Russia (Photo: AFP)

He gave the assist for Croatia’s second goal in the extra-time, Made 15 ball recoveries, won 14 duels and completed 90 passes. The numbers don’t lie, he was phenomenal.

Thibaut Courtois, Belgium

It was difficult to keep De Bryune out of this list, but that’s how good Thibaut Courtois was against Brazil. He made a staggering nine saves and he had to go the full stretch for most of them.

2018 FIFA World Cup, Belgium, Courtois — Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois makes a save at full stretch against Brazil (Photo: AFP)

Neymar was all set to equalise for Brazil around the 90th minute but Courtois came to Belgium’s rescue yet again as he got his finger-tips to the ball. Just like Pickford, Courtois was the key man for Belgium. If not for him, Brazil might have won the match easily.