- The best defenders share three traits — awareness, positioning and mentality — and at the World Cup the smallest lapse can be punished.
- Virgil van Dijk: Netherlands captain, dominant in the air, scores big set-piece goals and is prized for his positioning (and surprising agility).
- Achraf Hakimi: Morocco/PSG right back — blistering pace and attacking threat but also tactically disciplined and underrated defensively.
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