Sunderland were one of the most well-represented teams at this year’s World Cup, with nine players across seven different nations. But how did those players get on at the tournament?
Nilson Angulo (Ecuador) B
Angulo played in each of Ecuador’s four games, coming on from the bench in the first two matches, and then starting the last group game and round of 32 tie against Mexico. He got a goal against Germany, and was good against Mexico but Ecuador ultimately lost 2-0.
Brian Brobbey (Netherlands) A
Brobbey had an excellent World Cup for the Netherlands, scoring three times. He looked a real threat throughout, in an underwhelming team. Unfortunately for him his worst performance came in the round of 32 game against Morocco, where the Netherlands lost on penalties. Brobbey was taken off in the 71st minute.
Habib Diarra (Senegal) B+
Diarra played 14 minutes in Senegal’s opener and was an unused substitute in the second, but really arrived to the tournament in the final group game against Iraq. Senegal won 5-0 and Diarra got himself on the scoresheet. He was then brilliant in the round of 32 game against Belgium, putting in a box-to-box performance that saw him all over the pitch and registering a goal as the African side lost 3-2 after extra time.
Wilson Isidor (Haiti) B
Isidor had a good tournament for a nation that no one expected much from. Haiti were only appearing in their second ever World Cup, and were drawn in the toughest group at the tournament, with Scotland, Brazil and Morocco. They lost each game, but put in valiant displays against Morocco and Scotland. Isidor started both of those games and scored an absolute screamer in the 4-2 loss to Morocco.
Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo) B
Masuaku has always been a reliable defender, and he more than proved that in this tournament. He started all four games, and got the assist on Yoane Wissa’s goal against Portugal. Masuaku was the heart of a resolute Congolese defense that held England at 1-1 in their round of 32 game until Harry Kane broke their hearts with an 86th minute winner.
Robin Roefs (Netherlands) N/A
Roefs was in the World Cup squad as a backup goalkeeper, and was unneeded in the Netherlands’ four games. He didn’t play a minute.
Noah Sadiki (DR Congo) C+
Sadiki had a solid if slightly disappointing tournament. He didn’t start the first two games, then was impressive in the final group game against Uzbekistan. In the round of 32 match where DR Congo met their end, he was overrun in midfield by Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson.
Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco) C-
Talbi hardly played for Morocco, playing a combined 60 minutes across their first five matches. But he did register an assist during that limited time, and got a surprise starting nod in their final against France. He wasn’t very effective in that match, sadly, with only 30 touches out on the left flank. Morocco were eliminated losing 2-0 to last year’s runner up.
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) A+
Sunderland’s captain and Mr Reliable has also been a stalwart in midfield for Switzerland. Xhaka has been impressive in each of their six games, logging over 600 minutes of playing time and a goal against Bosnia. The former U-17 World Cup winner led his nation to the quarter-finals where they fell to Argentina in extra-time.
