Spurs at the World Cup | 2018

It all starts with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at the famous Azteca (now known as the Estadio Banorte) in Mexico City.

Co-hosted by USA and Canada, this will be the 23rd World Cup, the inaugural tournament back in 1930.

As we build up to the summer’s football fest, we take a look at the Spurs players to feature on the greatest stage of all...

Spurs at the World Cup | 2018

Our players came to the fore in Russia in 2018 – as Hugo Lloris became not only the first Spur to win the World Cup, but also the first as captain to be handed the coveted trophy.

Meanwhile, Harry Kane was named captain of England by Gareth Southgate and led the team to the semi-finals, lifting the Golden Boot with his six goals. We had five players representing the Three Lions – Harry, Eric Dier, Dele, Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier – and all five were on the pitch at the end of the heartbreaking semi-final loss to Croatia.

Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertoghen also reached the semi-finals with Belgium, their hopes dashed by Hugo's France, before beating England in the third/fourth place play-off.

Hugo Lloris

Didier Deschamps’ trusted captain again, Hugo started six of France’s seven games in Russia as they were crowned world champions for the second time.

It all began with a 2-1 win against Australia, then a 1-0 win against Peru and with a knockout place secured, Hugo was rested for the final group game, a 0-0 draw against Denmark, with Steve Mandanda coming in.

Hugo was back for a thrilling 4-3 win against Argentina in the Round of 16, clean sheets against Uruguay (2-0) in the quarter-final and Belgium (1-0) – including team-mates Toby, Mousa and Jan – in the semi-final before beating Croatia 4-2 in the final.

Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Danny Rose

England returned to the forefront of the world stage in Russia.

Led by Harry Kane’s six goals, Gareth Southgate’s team reached the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time since another Spurs-inspired team - Gazza and Gary Lineker - did it in 1990.

Our players took a leading role again. Harry scored an injury time winner in the group opener against Tunisia, with Dele also in the starting XI. Eric came off the bench. Harry then hit a hat-trick in the 6-1 win against Panama, securing a knockout berth. Danny came off the bench in that one before making his first start of the tournament against Belgium, where Eric proudly led the team out. Mousa Dembele started for Belgium, who ran out 1-0 winners.

Harry scored again in a nerve-tangling Round of 16 clash against Davinson Sanchez’s Colombia. He was joined in the starting line-up by Dele and Kieran Trippier, with Danny and Eric both coming off the bench. It went to a penalty shoot-out – where our players accounted for three of England’s four successful spot-kicks – Harry, ‘Trips’ and finally Eric with decisive take to finally end England’s penalty hoodoos after shoot-out defeats in 1990, 1998 and 2002.

It was Dele’s turn to shine in the quarter-final against Sweden, heading home England’s second goal in a 2-0 win. Harry and Kieran also started, Eric came off the bench.

That led to the semi-final against Croatia. Kieran handed England a dream start by popping a free-kick into the top corner after just five minutes. However, Ivan Perisic levelled in the 90th minute before Mario Mandzukic delivered the hammer blow in extra time. Harry, Kieran and Dele started, Danny and Eric came off the bench.

Harry, Eric, Kieran and Danny then started the third/fourth play-off against Belgium, with Dele off the bench, as Belgium took the bronze medal with a 2-0 win.

Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen

Our Belgian trio came home with bronze medals after losing out to Hugo's France in the semi-finals. Toby and Jan started as the Red Devils kicked-off with a 3-0 win against Panama, with Mousa appearing off the bench. Jan and Toby started in the 5-2 win against Tunisia but then only Mousa featured in the 1-0 win against England – Belgium through with three wins in three.

Next up, one of the games of the tournament as Belgium found themselves 2-0 down against Japan in the Round of 16. Jan started the comeback with a looping header on 74 minutes before a grandstand finish - Marouane Fellani equalised in the 90th minute before former Spur Nacer Chadli won it in the fifth minute of added time.

Toby and Jan started again as Belgium famously beat Brazil 2-1 in the quarter-finals to set up the last four clash against Hugo’s France. All three Spurs players started – meaning we had nine feature across the semi-finals – and Samuel Umtiti’s late goal secured France’s place in the final. Toby and Jan then started again and Mousa came off the bench as Belgium beat England 2-0 in the third/fourth play-off.

Christian Eriksen

Playmaker Christian experienced the highs and lows of World Cup football with Denmark in Russia. The Danes kicked-off with a 1-0 win against and Christian was on target as it ended 1-1 against Australia in game two. Another draw against eventual-champions France (0-0) took Denmark through to meet eventual-finalists Croatia in the Round of 16. It could have been a different story – remember, Croatia went on to beat England in the semi-finals – as Croatia had to come through a penalty shoot-out to progress as it ended 1-1 – and Christian was one of three players to miss from the spot for Denmark.

Davinson Sanchez

Centre-back Davinson started all of Colombia’s matches as their tournament ended in penalty heartbreak against England in the Round of 16. Earlier, Davinson and his defence locked in clean sheets in the second and third games against Poland (3-0) and Senegal (1-0) to secure their progress after losing the first game 2-1 against Japan.

Heung-Min Son

Sonny started all three of South Korea’s group matches and although they didn’t progress, our legendary former striker and skipper still enjoyed a goal-den moment in Russia.

South Korea lost 1-0 to Sweden and then 2-1 to Mexico – Sonny with a late goal – to end their hopes of reaching the knockout phase. However, in the final group game, Young-gwon Kim and Sonny struck in added time to hand their nation a famous 2-0 win against Germany – and knock the Germans out at the group stage.