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World Cup rankings: 12 to 8

By James Fudge

KAZAN, RUSSIA - JUNE 30: Serigo Aguero of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between France and Argentina at Kazan Arena on June 30, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
KAZAN, RUSSIA - JUNE 30: Serigo Aguero of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between France and Argentina at Kazan Arena on June 30, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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For Bernardo Silva to have a good World Cup, he would have to steal some limelight away Cristiano Ronaldo. Impossible, given he is the poster boy of his country.

SOCHI, RUSSIA – JUNE 30: Bernardo Silva of Portugal challenge for the ball with Diego Laxalt of Uruguay during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Uruguay and Portugal at Fisht Stadium on June 30, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
SOCHI, RUSSIA – JUNE 30: Bernardo Silva of Portugal challenge for the ball with Diego Laxalt of Uruguay during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Round of 16 match between Uruguay and Portugal at Fisht Stadium on June 30, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /

Ineffective in the opener against Spain, not much improvement against Morocco, his performances always suggested he was hiding behind their star man at times. Replaced in the starting line-up against Iran, where controversy and a VAR decision nearly knocked them out, the 23-year-old regain his place for the knockout stages.

The Uruguay game was never the game which he could control. Although he has shown quality in a city shirt, he had never highlighted his qualities in the 90 minutes when he played on the right or left, supplying Cristiano.

I also felt that his most comfortable position is just behind the striker, where he can control the pace of attack and link the midfield to the goal. Never deployed within that position for his country and rarely for the club, he must feel the frustration of not being able to demonstrate the qualities we know he has shown for City and Monaco.