The FIFA World Cup 2022 is coming to an end. The tournament is at its business end, and it has only 3 games left. All the games in the FIFA World Cup 2022 were meaningful. We did not have any “dead rubber” kind of games this time around. Defenders are the core of a team. You can score as many goals as you want, but it is the defense that will win you the big tournaments. Here is a look at the top 5 defenders in this tournament:
Declan Rice Impressed in the FIFA World Cup 2022:
Declan Rice, the defensive midfielder was a class apart in his position. West Ham has a great prospect on their hands and is grooming him very well. His knowledge of the game is too good. His vision and ability to predict the position of the ball are essentials of his game. Declan made the most interceptions till the group stages, he made 11 of them. Declan can get a hefty contract after the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Achraf Hakimi was Great in the FIFA World Cup 2022:
Achraf Hakimi has carried a lot of burden on the Morocco National team. It is the Moroccan defense that has been rock solid throughout the tournament and has got the team through to the semis. Achraf has made the most tackles in the group stage as a defender. He has made 13 tackles. His ball recovery is also great. Hakimi has recovered the ball 29 times. Achraf Hakimi will be keen on carrying the same form to his games after the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Jurien Timber:
The Netherlands was very unfortunate that they couldn’t get through to the semi-finals. It was Emi Martinez who broke their hearts. Jurien Timber was the silver lining of this tournament for the Dutch. He was mighty impressive. Jurien plays for Ajax and has played top-flight football. He has experience playing high-profile games like the Champions League. He has the second most successful interceptions. He made 9 of those.
Romain Saiss was Elite in the FIFA World Cup 2022:
Romain Saiss is another Moroccan on the list. He plays as a defender and is also the leader of the African side. He plays club-level football for Besiktas and also has experience playing top-flight football. He has seen the pressure moments of the UCL and UEL. He has played alongside other world-class players. Romain has led by example. His percentage of aerial duals won is very high.
Marquinhos:
Marquinhos was expected to do well and he delivered. Apart from his missed penalty which eventually led to Brazil getting knocked out, he had a splendid tournament. He was so good that he single-handedly took Brazil through to the quarters. He formed the formidable wall of Brazil alongside Thiago Silva. He won the ball many times and made a handful of successful tackles. His game in the match against Cameroon was good too.
To know more Qatar FIFA World Cup: Top 4 Most Underrated Players who made an Impact in the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Read more such articles at FIFA World Cup 2022: Morocco and France Qualify for Semis. Ronaldo and Portugal get Knocked out.
To know more go to the official website of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
