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World Cup 2018: Mbappe, Neymar & best team of the last 16

Russia's goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was the penalty shootout hero of the game after saving both Koke and Iago Aspas' shots. He also&nbsp;pulled off multiple saves during the match too and conceded just the one own&nbsp;goal.&nbsp;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
"Igor Igor Akinfeev!" 
 
Russia fans paid tribute to their goalkeeper with a.....special routine <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/EYWGRpuDGr">pic.twitter.com/EYWGRpuDGr</a>
— Goal UK (@GoalUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoalUK/status/1013547862972600320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Igor Akinfeev | GK | Russia 

Right-back Mario Fernandes put in an outstanding shift to limit the threat on Spain’s left wing and keeping the score to 1-1 before the penalties that took Russia through to the quarter-finals.&nbsp;

Mario Fernandes | RB | Russia

Manchester United centre-back Victor Lindelof has formed a resilient centre-back partnership with Andreas Granqvist, who has won most of the plaudits so far this tournament with his penalty taking. But Lindelof shone as Sweden kept a clean sheet against Switzerland to win 1-0 and reach the quarter-finals.

Victor Lindelof | CB | Sweden 

Uruguay&nbsp;centre-back Diego Godin put in yet another mammoth defensive performance, stopping Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese team-mates from netting&nbsp;more than the one goal.

Diego Godin | CB | Uruguay 

Left-back Diego Laxalt continues to impress for Uruguay at World Cup 2018. Against Portugal, the left wing-back constantly challenged for the ball and provided ammunition for Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez to attack the goal with.

Diego Laxalt | LB | Uruguay 

Paul Pogba was the beating heart of France’s midfield as they defeated Argentina 4-3 in an all-time classic&nbsp;last 16 tie. Helping dictate the attacks like an NFL quarterback, feeding fantastic through balls to the likes of Kylian&nbsp;Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.

Paul Pogba | CM | France 

Belgium's Marouane Fellaini was sprung off the bench into action as Japan led by two goals in the second half. His aerial threat from corners and crosses - including scoring the equalising goal - was crucial in their 3-2 last 16 victory.

Marouane Fellaini | CM | Belgium 

Although Japan were eliminated in the last 16 after losing 3-2 to Belgium, Takashi Inui&nbsp;scored an absolute dream of a goal and put Belgium on edge&nbsp;throughout the game with his midfield movement, passing and dribbling.

Takashi Inui | CM | Japan 

France teenage forward Kylian Mbappe was the star of the last 16. His barnstorming pace and inch-perfect finishing put Argentina to the sword and announced him as a genuine world-class talent.

Kylian Mbappe | FW | France 

A phenomenal all-round forward performance from Edinson Cavani saw him net two goals against Portugal and continue Uruguay's journey into the World Cup 2018 quarter-finals. His attacking partnership with Luis Suarez might just be the best in the tournament.

Edinson Cavani | FW | Uruguay

Look past the play-acting and diving <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/and-the-oscar-goes-to-neymar-brazil-star-destroyed-for/qbtvmzeeyvfw1p2c9zgap2y2h" target="_blank">that have caused him to be the butt of Oscar jokes</a>. While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo bowed out of the World Cup, Neymar scored one goal and created the other as Brazil eliminated Mexico in the last 16 with a 2-0 win.

Neymar | FW | Brazil 

World Cup 2018: Mbappe, Neymar & best team of the last 16 | Goal.com

As we approach the quarter-finals of Russia 2018, Goal&apos;s editors have put together a list of the best XI from the first knockout round