De Bruyne, Griezmann & the best team of the World Cup quarter-finals

The forward was a force to be reckoned with against Brazil, unsettling the Selecao's back line with his powerful runs and his dominant presence in and around the box. Lukaku assisted De Bruyne's winner with a darting run forward and inch-perfect pass to put Belgium two goals ahead.

The Manchester City star was clearly up for the match against Brazil and it was his strike from just outside the penalty area that gave Belgium a two-goal lead in what proved to be a 2-1 quarter-final win. 

A goal and an assist for France earned Griezmann a spot on the team of the quarter-final, with his free kick setting up Varane's strike before a swerving shot, and a bit of good fortune, put Les Bleus two goals up in their 2-0 victory. 

The 27-year-old came up with the strike of the round, netting a stunner to put the host nation 1-0 to the good against Croatia in their quarter-final tie, but it wouldn't be enough as the hosts fell in shootout.

The steady presence in the middle for France, Chelsea man Kante continued his fine World Cup with another outstanding performance against Uruguay, who found little space to work in the middle of the park thanks to the 27-year-old's work-rate. 

The rock in the middle of the pitch for England, Henderson did his work on both ends. His pressure in the middle of the park created several turnovers in play as he helped protect the three-man back line, and his calm and confident passing set the tempo for Gareth Southgate's men going forward. 

A tireless shift on the right wing from the 27-year-old, who got forward well while doing his part to protect the flank. But it's Trippier's delivery from set pieces that really sets him apart, with his pin-point accuracy creating a number of dangerous moments for the Three Lions in their 2-0 quarter-final win over Sweden. 

The 29-year-old had a moment he'll likely never forget with his winner against Russia, a headed effort from a corner that, with a bit of good fortune, found its way into the corner of the goal in the 101st minute. He also calmly slotted home from the spot in the shootout as his side moved into the semi-finals. 

Always a force in aerial duels, the 25-year-old came up with his first goal for England in a quarter-final win over Sweden, using his head to power home from a corner and put the Three Lions 1-0 in front. The Leicester City man was also very strong at the back and proved to be a calming influence when on the ball. 

The Chelsea shot-stopper was on top form against Brazil, coming up with several top saves including a diving stop to deny Neymar as his side held on to a 2-1 victory and earned a spot against France in the semi-finals.