Finalists Argentina and France are both well represented in our line up of the best players from a memorable tournament in Qatar
And just like that, the 2022 World Cup is over. With a record number of goals, drama from the start and rounded off by perhaps the greatest final, if not overall game, in the tournament's history, Qatar played host to a show that few will forget in a hurry.
Argentina saw of France in Sunday's finale, with Lionel Messi finally ending his wait for the one trophy that has eluded him in his remarkable career, and perhaps finishing any debate regarding the greatest player of all time.
The mercurial No.10 won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, and so he's a lock for GOAL's Team of the Tournament, but who else should join him in the line up?
Here's how we saw it – do you agree with our selections?
Getty ImagesGK: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina)
After the disappointment of conceding twice to Saudi Arabia in the opening game, Martinez looked like a man hell bent on protecting his goal at all costs.
He commanded his area exceptionally well and made big saves at key times, including last-gasp stops against both Australia in the last 16 and France in the final, as well as in the shootout wins over the Netherlands and in Sunday's dramatic victory.
A deserving winner of the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.
AdvertisementBackpagePixRB: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
An easy choice, Hakimi was consistently excellent throughout the tournament as Morocco captured the hearts of the world during their run to the semi-finals.
The Paris Saint-Germain right-back was superb at both ends of the pitch, with his assist for Youssef En-Nesyri during the win against Canada one of the highlights of the tournament.
Getty ImagesCB: Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina)
As strong as Argentina were coming into the tournament, few would have predicted that 34-year-old Otamendi would have been one of the standout players of the World Cup.
But the Benfica centre-back was exceptional for almost the entire tournament, and though his foul to concede France's first penalty in the final was almost the catalyst to a disastrous defeat, the good far outweighed the bad for the ex-Manchester City man.
GettyCB: Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)
Forget about what Messi did to him in the semi-final, that could have happened to any defender.
This has been a breakthrough tournament for Gvardiol, one that has cemented his place as one of the best up-and-coming defenders in world football. At just 20, he's a real talent.