England captain Kane spearheads star-studded World Cup best XI
European heavyweights England, Germany and France all eased to comfortable wins in the penultimate round of European World Cup qualifying games and the trio all have at least two players make the best XI.
Starting from the back, we take a look at the team of the round...
Giorgi Loria (Georgia) - 8.80 rating
Georgia earned an impressive 2-0 win over Sweden on Thursday night and while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netted twice to earn the man of the match award, Giorgi Loria was imperious between the sticks to keep the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexander Isak at bay. The goalkeeper made seven saves in a clean sheet attaining performance that saw him yield a WhoScored rating of 8.80.
Kingsley Coman (France) - 9.86
The first of two France players, Kingsley Coman operated at right wing-back to good effect in their resounding 8-0 win over Kazakhstan on Saturday night as he garnered a WhoScored rating of 9.86. Coman provided two assists, both of which were for Kylian Mbappe to score, those coming from three key passes. In addition, the Bayern star completed six dribbles - no player made more in the round - to feature in this team.
Harry Maguire (England) - 8.67
England have two representatives in the team of the round, with Harry Maguire impressing in their 5-0 win over Albania. The Manchester United captain bagged the opener at Wembley on Friday night, finding a way past Thomas Strakosha with his only shot on goal. Maguire won all six aerial duels he contested, while two tackles and two interceptions saw the centre-back land a WhoScored rating of 8.67.
Turkey boosted their chances of securing a World Cup spot as they romped to a 6-0 win over Gibraltar. Merih Demiral bagged Turkey's fourth in the resounding victory, netting from one of three efforts on goal. Like Maguire, Demiral also returned a 100% aerial success rate in the victory, and made one tackle and one clearance to land a WhoScored rating of 8.28.
Rounding off the defence is Welsh left-back Neco Williams. Williams scored the Dragons' second in their 5-1 win over Belarus as he mustered four shots in total. The 20-year-old was unfortunate not to add an assist as he managed two key passes, while three dribbles, three tackles and two interceptions helped the youngster to a WhoScored rating of 8.62.
Enis Bardhi (North Macedonia) - 10.0
The first of five players to earn a perfect WhoScored 10 rating in this round of games, North Macedonia's Enis Bardhi was superb in their 5-0 win over Armenia on Thursday evening. The Levante midfielder bagged a hat-trick in the comfortable victory, scoring with all three shots. Two key passes and one successful dribble marked a solid attacking display, while Bardhi excelled off the ball, too, making three tackles and three interceptions.
Aleksandr Erokhin (Russia) - 10.0
Two of the three World Cup qualifying goals Aleksandr Erokhin has netted came in Russia's 6-0 thrashing of Cyprus. The Zenit star found a way past Demetris Demetriou with two of six shots and was unfortunate not to add an assist as he provided three key passes. Two tackles and one clearance capped a fine performance from Erokhin.
Germany tore 10-man Liechtenstein to shreds on Thursday night, romping to a 9-0 win on home turf. Marco Reus is the first of two representatives for Hansi Flick's side, the Borussia Dortmund star having a direct hand in three goals. Reus netted with one of six shots, while assists for Leroy Sane and Ridle Baku came from three key passes. Superb in possession - the 32-year-old returned a pass success rate of 94.1% - Reus earned himself a WhoScored rating of 9.83 to complete the midfield.
Thomas Muller (Germany) - 10.0
The star of the show from Germany's win over Liechtenstein, Thomas Muller helped himself to a second half brace at the Volkswagen Arena as two of his four shots beat Benjamin Buchel. Muller was unfortunate not to add an assist as he managed five key passes to contribute towards his inclusion in this XI with a perfect WhoScored 10 rating.
Leading the charge in the team of the round, Harry Kane looked back to his goalscoring best against Albania on Friday night, rattling in a first half hat-trick to end the game as a contest in the opening 45 minutes, scoring more goals against Albania than he has managed in domestic competition for Tottenham this season (2). Kane also provided the assist for Jordan Henderson's goal in the 5-0 victory at Wembley as he too earned a perfect WhoScored 10 rating.
Completing this XI with another perfect 10 rated display, Kylian Mbappe was superb for France in their 8-0 win over Kazakhstan as the PSG star had a direct hand in five of their goals at the Parc des Princes. Mbappe bagged a hat-trick inside the opening 32 minutes, adding his fourth late on, and provided the assist for Karim Benzema on the hour mark. Seven shots, one key pass and one dribble sees the young forward round off the XI following a memorable night in Paris.
