Group C round-up: Premier League quartet make up top five performers

In what was an anti-climactic end to the action in Group C to say the very least, France and Denmark progressed to the round of 16 having played out the first goalless draw of the World Cup to date.

Australia and Peru crashed out, with the latter leapfrogging the Socceroos with a victory, and while in truth there were very few star performers in the group, four Premier League representatives ranked among the top five rated players.

5. Andre Carrillo (Peru) - 7.21 rating

Having become the first Peruvian player to score a goal at a World Cup since 1982, Carrillo enjoyed a tournament that he will never forget. The Watford winger may have struggled to hold down a place for his club but is one of the first names on the team sheet for his country, and showed why with an excellent strike against Australia, whilst completing ten dribbles in three appearances and creating six chances.

4. Christian Eriksen (Denmark) - 7.26 rating

Having had a hand in both of Denmark’s goals in the group stages, scoring one and assisting the other, the notion that the Scandinavians rely heavily on the Spurs star has only been strengthened thus far. His fine strike against Australia earned the all important point that allowed them to play in third gear against France and was one of nine shots in three appearances.

3. Raphael Varane (France) - 7.26 rating

While in truth the Real Madrid defender was relatively untested during the group stages, Varane went about his business very efficiently and has been among the most assured centre-backs at the tournament. Ranking second in Group C for both clearances (21) and aerial duels won (15), the 25-year-old was in the right place at the right time and his distribution has been excellent, completing the most accurate long balls from the four teams (25).

2. N’Golo Kante (France) - 7.39 rating

While France may have underwhelmed en route to the latter stages, one player that will rarely ever disappoint is N’Golo Kante, and the Chelsea star has been his usual self this summer. He completed the most interceptions in the group (ten) and made eight tackles to break up play in the middle ground, whilst completing 91.4% of his passes.

1. Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark) - 7.39 rating

The fact that a goalkeeper comes out on top in our ratings from Group C highlights that the quality from the outfielders has been modest at best but that’s not to say Schmeichel is undeserving of the accolade. The Leicester stopper conceded just one goal in three appearances - coming via a Mile Jedinak penalty - and produced the most saves in Group C (12) - half of which came in a man of the match display to keep Peru at bay in the Danes’ group opener.