The 2026 World Cup has reached the quarter-final stage, with the Round of 16 producing a series of dramatic encounters. Several players delivered pivotal performances to secure their teams' progression.
Goalkeeper and Defense
Gregor Kobel of Switzerland earned top marks with a 9.3 rating. He was instrumental in his team's penalty shootout victory over Colombia, making a crucial save after the match remained goalless through 120 minutes. His efforts included denying Gustavo Puerta and Jaminton Campaz, and he ultimately saved Juan Hernandez's penalty to give Switzerland the advantage.
In defense, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, rated 7.4, was recognized for his all-around performance in a 3-0 win against co-hosts Canada. Hakimi contributed significantly at both ends, making seven defensive contributions and assisting Azzedine Ounahi's opening goal. This marked his third World Cup assist, placing him among the top assisting defenders since 1966.
Cristian Romero of Argentina, with a 7.7 rating, sparked his team's comeback against Egypt. His 79th-minute header from a Lionel Messi cross initiated a late surge that saw Argentina overturn a deficit and win. This followed a similar pattern to their previous match where Lisandro Martinez scored a late winner.
France's Dayot Upamecano, rated 7.5, put in a strong defensive display against Paraguay. He was consistently present to neutralize threats and contributed to building attacks, making 11 passes into the final third. Noussair Mazraoui of Morocco, rated 7.9, was also a key figure in their defense against Canada, making 14 defensive contributions and winning 12 duels, helping to keep the score level in the first half.
Midfield and Attack
England's Jude Bellingham received a 9.0 rating for his exceptional performance against Mexico. He scored two goals within 98 seconds, becoming the first player to score a brace at the Azteca in a knockout match since Diego Maradona in 1986. Bellingham also made a vital last-ditch defensive intervention.
Leandro Paredes of Argentina, rated 8.3, orchestrated the midfield with 130 touches and 115 completed passes against Egypt. After recovering from a hamstring injury, Paredes has been crucial in shielding the defense and driving the team forward.
Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi, also rated 9.0, scored twice in their 3-0 victory over Canada. These were his first goals of the tournament, breaking the deadlock and sealing the win. He became the first Moroccan to score a brace in a World Cup match since 1998.
Lionel Messi, maintaining a perfect rating of 9.3, continued to impress despite missing a penalty against Egypt. He redeemed himself by assisting Romero's goal and scoring the equalizer, demonstrating his enduring impact on the tournament.
Norway's Erling Haaland, rated 9.1, continued his scoring run with a brace against Brazil, bringing his tournament total to seven goals. He became the first Norwegian to score twice in a major international knockout match and extended his scoring streak for Norway to 14 consecutive games.
Completing the XI is Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere, who earned an 8.5 rating. He scored two goals in Belgium's decisive 4-1 victory over co-hosts USA in the Round of 16, paving the way for their advancement to the quarter-finals.