SunSport’s World Cup team of the tournament revealed including England star, wantaway Chelsea ace and veteran hero, 40

THE World Cup is over with Spain emerging as winners after an incredible tournament. Several big-name stars have delivered brilliant performances across the last six weeks in North America. Lionel Messi was aiming to win back-to-back World Cups but fell just short Credit: Getty Lamine Yamal achieved World Cup glory aged just 19 Credit: Getty From the usual suspects, to new heroes, plenty of players have catapulted themselves to even greater stardom. As the tournament winds down, SunSport’s Tom Barclay selects his team of the tournament… Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! GOALKEEPER: Vozinha, Cape Verde BECAME an overnight social-media sensation for his stunning shutout against Spain at the start of the tournament. That splendid display in the 0-0 stalemate against the eventual winners saw his following on Instagram skyrocket from 50,000 pre tournament to 29million. The 40-year-old free agent also played well against Lionel Messi’s Argentina – surely someone will pick him up this summer? Vozinha dazzled with his performances for Cape Verde Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The 40-year-old shot international fame during the tournament Credit: EPA RIGHT-BACK: Pedro Porro, Spain THOSE who watched Tottenham scrap to Premier League survival on the final day of the season would not have predicted their two right-backs shining in the World Cup semi-finals. But while Djed Spence’s heroics were not enough to see England get past Argentina, Porro scored the killer second goal as Spain shocked favourites France. Porro was sensational all tournament and Spurs will be delighted they managed to tie him down to a bumper five-year contract midway through it. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Pedro Porro battles Kylian Mbappe during Spain’s victorious semi-final Credit: Getty The Tottenham star had a brilliant tournament with his country Credit: Getty CENTRE-BACK: Pau Cubarsi, Spain AN essential part of a miserly Spanish defence who kept seven clean sheets in eight games. Playing alongside former Manchester City – and France – centre-back Aymeric Laporte, classy Cubarsi was the model of composure throughout and rightfully won the young player of the tournament award. Another fantastic product from Barca’s La Masia academy, it is amazing to think he is still only 19. Pau Cubarsi has excelled for Spain this summer Credit: Getty Cubarsi, 19, was a rock in the Spanish back line Credit: Getty CENTRE-BACK: Dayot Upamecano, France DIDIER DESCHAMPS revealed on Friday that Upamecano is known as “the Little Monster” in the France set-up. Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich team-mate followed up a fine season in the Bundesliga with an impressive tournament. His speed and technical quality on the ball were key to France conceding only two goals in their first six games, before Luis de la Fuente’s Spain gave Les Bleus the blues. Dayot Upamecano has been a rock for France Credit: Getty The centre-back performed well as Les Bleus reached the semi-finals Credit: Shutterstock Editorial LEFT-BACK: Marc Cucurella, Spain CURLY-HAIRED Cucurella has had one heck of a summer. On the day of Spain’s first game – when they were held to a 0-0 draw by plucky Cape Verde – it was announced the left-back was joining Real Madrid from Chelsea for £50million. That sparked an excellent World Cup for the ex-Brighton man who was great going forward and a rock in defence as Spain emerged as champions. Marc Cucurella helped Spain to World Cup glory Credit: Getty The Real Madrid full-back was ice cool in North America Credit: Getty DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: Rodri, Spain AFTER a season plagued by injury, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner looked back to his best and took home the player of the tournament award. Everyone in England knows his terrific ability to grip a game from the base of midfield and he was pivotal in helping Spain follow up their Euro 2024 win with glory here. How Manchester City must be desperate to get a new contract sorted so they can pair him with £116m new-boy Elliot Anderson. Rodri plotted World Cup glory for Spain Credit: AFP The Man City star was a key man in midfield for La Roja Credit: Shutterstock Editorial DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: Enzo Fernandez, Argentina THE man we love to hate – or maybe just hate. But there is no denying the Argentina star is top quality and proved as much with that devastating late equaliser against England in that heartbreaking semi-final. He massively let himself down in the final with his daft red card but until that point he was key to Argentina getting so close. Enzo Fernandez helped Argentina to the World Cup final Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Fernandez celebrates his brilliant equaliser against England Credit: Getty ATTACKING MIDFIELD: Michael Olise, France COPPED a bit of flak for a quiet display against Spain in the semi-final. But earlier in the tournament Olise was simply sensational, playing in a No10 role and displaying the kind of exquisite, defence-splitting passes that a peak Kevin De Bruyne would be proud of. Another star Real Madrid have their eyes on this summer, though Bayern Munich team-mate Harry Kane will hope that possible blockbuster switch does not come off. Michael Olise was fantastic on France’s run to the semi-finals Credit: Getty Didier Deschamps placed his trust in the Bayern Munich superstar Credit: AFP ATTACKING MIDFIELD: Jude Bellingham, England WHAT an emphatic answer to anyone doubting him ahead of the tournament. Kane was very good but Bellingham was unreal in the knockout games against Mexico and Norway, dragging England through with back-to-back braces. He hit seven goals in total and was the Three Lions’ talisman. Argentina may have shackled him but it does not deny the fact he is a world-class operator who we are lucky to call our own. Jude Bellingham turned England fans into believers with his performances Credit: Getty The Real Madrid star helped the Three Lions to a third place finish Credit: Getty STRIKER: Lionel Messi, Argentina SOME of us had never seen Messi in the flesh until that fateful night in Atlanta – and then left wishing we had not. The GOAT made a mockery of the fact he is turning 40 next summer by conjuring up two killer late goals to dump out England. Not only that but he scored a whopping eight goals in the tournament, coming up clutch for the nation that adores him time and again. Lionel Messi was sensational once again for Argentina Credit: Getty The 39-year-old inspired Argentina to a late comeback against England Credit: Getty STRIKER: Kylian Mbappe, France MBAPPE wrote on social media that the France team had “failed” outgoing boss Didier Deschamps, who is stepping down after the tournament. That is after the tournament favourites were dumped out by Spain in the semis. But that does not erase another excellent campaign individually by the Real Madrid mega star, whose 10 goals took him to 22 World Cup strikes overall and the golden boot. Kylian Mbappe did his best to fire France to glory Credit: Getty The Real Madrid forward scored 10 times at this summer’s tournament Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Comment now