7 Predicted World Cup Breakout Stars: How did they get on?

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Here are our 7 Predicted World Cup Breakout Stars: How did they get on?

7. Pione Sisto – 4/10

Ugandan-born Danish international Pione Sisto is a player we like, and we made no secret of that in our predicted breakout stars video. However, despite the fact that Denmark reached the knockout stages, Southampton-linked Sisto failed to ever really get going. He started all three of Denmark’s group games but only ever showed glimpses of his quality, and was dropped for their Round of 16 defeat to Croatia.

6. Hakim Ziyech – 7/10

Hakim Ziyach of Morocco stands dejected during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Spain and Morocco at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 25, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia.

It has to be between a 7 and an 8 for Hakim Ziyech at the 2018 World Cup, who was undoubtedly Morocco’s most impressive player. We backed Ziyech to make an impression in the group stages, but doubted his team’s chances to go any further – and that was pretty much how it turned out. Morocco earned plaudits for their technical and expansive passing style, and Ziyech was the linchpin in their midfield. Having been brilliant for Ajax in each of the last two seasons, the Dutch-born play-maker is currently linked with a move to Liverpool.

5. Aleksandar Mitrovic – 7/10

It was always likely to be a tight race for second place in Group E between Serbia and Switzerland, and so it proved. The Swiss came out on top, meaning Aleksandar Mitrovic only had three games to exhibit his talents, but we were impressed with his all-round displays. A powerful front man who can be a real menace to defenders, Mitrovic’s centre-forward play was very good. He held the ball up, brought people into the game and scored once against the Swiss. The big Serb is heavily linked with a permanent move to Fulham this summer.

4. Hirving Lozano – 8/10

Hirving Lozano of Mexico shoots past Miranda of Brazil during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico at Samara Arena on July 2, 2018 in Samara, Russia.

Well, there were a few doubts about Lozano’s inclusion, this one in particular is quite amusing with the benefit of hindsight. Lozano is a player who brings raw pace, directness and a real electricity to a teams attacking play. He scored the only goal in Mexico’s shock opening game victory over Germany, as well as being named as the Man of the Match. Lozano was key to Mexico’s attacking play once more in their 2-1 win over South Korea, and although he and Mexico did little in their next two games, it was still a good tournament for the 22-year-old.

3. Alex Iwobi – 3/10

A pretty poor shout now it has to be said, we thought Alex Iwobi would really step up for Nigeria at the World Cup given his previous impressive showings for the national team, but it wasn’t to be. He was ineffective in Nigeria’s opener against Croatia, and subsequently benched as Nigeria switched to a back three for their next two games. Iwobi came on as a 90th minute substitute in both of those games, so we can’t really give him more than a 3/10 for his performances.

2. Lucas Torreira – 7/10

Uruguay’s midfielder Lucas Torreira (L) controls the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup quarter-final football match between Uruguay and France at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny…

Somewhat irritatingly, Lucas Torreira was benched for Uruguay’s first two games of the 2018 World Cup against Egypt and Saudi Arabia, coming on in both as the South Americans won 1-0. He started the last group game – seemingly Uruguay’s toughest test against Russia – and the side won 3-0. He kept his place and was excellent along with Uruguay’s defensive quartet against Portugal. A tough tackling holding midfielder who provides a real screen and a touch of class in front of a backline, Torreira is someone we’ve talked about a couple of times on this channel, and it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on at Arsenal next season. For just over £13 million, we think the Gunners have bagged themselves a really talented young player.

1. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – 5/10

We reserved top spot in our seven for the long-legged, tireless and ever-dangerous talents of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. After his best ever season at Lazio, we thought the 23-year-old could be a difference maker in Group E, but it didn’t really turn out that way. You could tell Savic was a real talent, but nothing quite came off for him, and the rawness in his game was a little exposed. He almost scored a lovely 20 yard strike against Switzerland, but that was just about the highlight of his tournament. Heavily linked with Manchester United and Chelsea, Milinkovic-Savic’s 5/10 rating by our estimations hasn’t put anyone off the 6’4” box-to-box midfielder.