Joško Gvardiol and Croatia secure third place at the World Cup
Gvardiol becomes Croatia's youngest ever goalscorer at a World Cup | Round-up of all results involving Leipzig players at the tournament
Our defender Joško Gvardiol secured third place at the 2022 World Cup with Croatia after defeating Morocco 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. He scored the goal to put his nation 1-0 up, becoming the youngster goalscorer for Croatia at a World Cup in the process (20 years, 328 days).
Alongside Josko Gvardiol, Lukas Klostermann, David Raum (both Germany), Abdou Diallo (Senegal), Dani Olmo (Spain), Yussuf Poulsen (Denmark) and André Silva (Portugal) were selected for their national teams for the World Cup.
Below are all the details regarding the RB Leipzig players that represented their countries:
Croatia, Group F
Joško Gvardiol:
- World Cup appearances: 7
- Minutes: 690
- Goal/Assists: 1/0
Fixtures:
23rd November, 11:00 CET
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
A tight affair remained goalless in Group F. Josko played the full game and helped keep Morocco quiet.
27th November, 17:00 CET
Croatia 4-1 Canada
Josko again played the full 90 minutes as Croatia came from behind to win 4-1 in their second group match.
1st December, 16:00 CET
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
It was a fantastic performance by Josko at the back to keep Belgium out and book Croatia's place in the next round. His display included a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny Lukaku a goal.
5th December, 16:00 CET
Last 16: Japan 1-1 Croatia (Croatia win 3-1 on pens)
It was a thriller that went all the way to penalties. After trailing 1-0 at the break, Josko Gvardiol and his Croatian team-mates pulled themselves back into the game and took it to extra time following a 1-1 scoreline, before it went to the penalty spot. Ultimately, the "Blue Samurai" were undone by the brilliant performance of Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who saved three penalties to send Croatia into the last eight.
9th December, 20:00 CET
Quarter-final: Croatia 1-1 Brazil (Croatia win 3-1 on pens)
This was a massively tense affair. After a goalless 90 minutes, Brazil's main man Neyman put the Selecao in front in the first half of extra time. It had looked like it would be enough, before Bruno Petkovic levelled a few minutes from time to send it to penalties. Josko Gvardiol's side held their nerves and ran out 3-1 winners in the shootout, meaning they are separated from another World Cup final by Argentina and world class superstar Lionel Messi.
13th December, 20:00 CET
Semi-finals: Argentina 3-0 Croatia
Argentina's talisman Lionel Messi was at his imperial best in the semi-final, as well as youngster Julian Alvarez. The latter won a penalty in the 34th minute - converted by Messi - before adding a second himself shortly after with an unstoppable drive forward. Messi then turned provider in typical fashion, with even the brilliant Gvardiol unable to tame the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner as he set up Alvarez's second, wrapping up the victory in the 69th minute.
17th December, 16:00 CET:
Third-place play-off: Croatia 2-1 Morocco
Josko Gvardiol's header put Croatia 1-0 up, his first World Cup to make him Croatia's youngest ever goalscorer at a World Cup. Croatia went on to win 2-1 as Josko won a bronze medal.
Germany, Group E
David Raum:
- World Cup appearances: 3
- Minutes: 243
- Goals/Assists: 0/2
Lukas Klostermann:
- World Cup appearances: 2
- Minutes: 65
- Goals/Assists: 0/0
Fixtures:
23rd November, 14:00 CET
Germany 1-2 Japan
Despite leading 1-0, Germany conceded late goals from Bundesliga players Ritsu Doan (75') and Takuma Asano (83') and slipped to defeat. David Raum played the full 90 minutes and won the penalty for Ilkay Gündogan's goal in the 33rd minute.
27th November, 20:00 CET
Spain 1-1 Germany
David Raum, Lukas Klostermann and Dani Olmo shared the points after an entertaining 90 minutes. An improved second-half performance earned Germany their first point in Group F. They will now need to beat Costa Rica in their final game to have a chance of going through. Raum played 87 minutes and Klosti came on in the 70th minute and played a part in the equaliser.
1st December, 20:00 CET
Costa Rica 2-4 Germany
Despite beating Costa Rica 4-2 in their final group game, Germany were eliminated from the World Cup after Spain fell to a surprising 2-1 defeat at the hands of Japan. Spain lead 1-0 at the break after a strong first half and it looked as though Germany would make it through to the knockouts. David Raum set up Gnabry's opening goal with a cross and played 66 minutes of the match. Lukas Klostermann was also brought onto the field in the second half. Germany ultimately finished in third position on four points, behind Japan and Spain.
Senegal, Group A
Abdou Diallo:
- World Cup appearances: 4
- Minutes: 332
- Goal/Assists: 0/0
Fixtures:
21st November, 17:00 CET
Senegal 0-2 Netherlands
It wasn't a convincing win for the Dutch, but two late goals (84' and 99') defeated the African champions and Abdou Diallo.
25th November, 14:00 CET
Qatar 1-3 Senegal
Both teams were under pressure after losing their first games. Senegal were the better team and knocked the hosts out. Our defender played the full game.
29th November, 16:00 CET
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
Abdou Diallo and Senegal secured second place! An entertaining game against Ecuador saw the Africans win 2-1 to reach the last 16. Abdou played the full 90 minutes in defence.
Round of 16
Senegal 0-3 England
Abdou Diallo were beaten by a dominant England in the last 16. Captain Harry Kane led the way with a goal. Diallo played the full 90 minutes.
Denmark, Group D
Yussuf Poulsen:
- World Cup appearances: 0
- Minutes: 0
- Goal/Assists: 0/0
Fixtures:
22nd November, 14:00 CET
Denmark 0-0 Tunisia
Kasper Hjulmand's side drew their first game in Group D. Yussuf Poulsen didn't feature.
26th November, 17:00 CET
France 2-1 Denmark
The reigning world champions defeated Denmark thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappé. Yussi again wasn't involved. Denmark will definitely need to beat Australia next up.
30th November, 16:00 CET
Australia 1-0 Denmark
Denmark knew they had to win this game going into it, but they slipped to defeat against the Socceroos. The only goal of the game was scored by former Bundesliga player Mathew Leckie in the 60th minute. Yussi wasn't called up once again as they exited the tournament with just one point from their group.
Spain, Group E
Dani Olmo:
- World Cup appearances: 4
- Minutes: 368
- Goal/Assists: 1/1
Fixtures:
23rd November, 17:00 CET
Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
What a game for Spain and "El Mago". Dani opened the scoring with a brilliant goal in the 11th minute, Spain's 100th World Cup goal.
27th November, 20:00 CET
Spain vs. Germany
Our forward was dangerous again and hit the bar with a stunning strike in the seventh minute. Spain couldn't secure their place in the next round after conceding in the second half to Germany.
1st December, 20:00 CET
Japan 2-1 Spain
Olmo played the full game as Spain last their final match in the group to Japan. That means that they finished second behind their opponents.
Round of 16:
Morocco - Spain 0-0 (3-0 on penalties)
The 2010 World Cup winners couldn't break down the Africans and it ended goalless after extra time. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine "Bono" Bounou saved three penalties to book his nation's place in the quarters. Olmo came off after 98 minutes.
Portugal, Group H
André Silva:
- World Cup appearance: 1
- Minutes: 25
- Goal/Assists: 0/0
Fixtures:
24th November, 17:00 CET
Portugal 3-2 Ghana
André Silva didn't feature in Portugal's first group game, a narrow win over Ghana.
28th November, 20:00 CET
Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
A brace from Bruno Fernandes booked Portugal's place in the knockouts. André Silva was again an unused substitute.
2nd December, 16:00 CET
South Korea 2-1 Portugal
Portugal took an early lead through Horta but South Korea launched an impressive comeback which culminated in a Hwang Hee-Chan winner in injury time. André Silva came off the bench for his first appearance at this year's World Cup.
Round of 16:
Portugal - Switzerland 6-1
Portugal thumped Switzerland thanks to a hat-trick from Gonçalo Ramos. André Silva will be hoping for his next game at the tournament on Saturday against Morocco.
Quarter-finals:
Morocco - Portugal 1-0
A quarter-final exit. Morocco were solid at the back and became the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final.
Nkunku misses World Cup through injury
Unfortunate news: During training with the French national team, Leipzig's top Bundesliga goalscorer took a blow to the leg and suffered a sprained knee, which means the 25-year-old will miss the World Cup.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish our Christo a speedy recovery!