From Pulisic to Buffon, the best XI who failed to qualify for Russia 2018

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AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 10: Arjen Robben of Netherlands and Ludwig Augustinsson of Sweden battle for the ball during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Netherlands and Sweden at Amsterdam ArenA on October 10, 2017 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images) /

Arjen Robben (Netherlands)

It would have been the final hurrah for the Dutch legend, but instead Arjen Robben will be staying home. The 33-year-old winger, with his exquisite dribbling skills and gliding runs into the penalty box, couldn’t get the beleaguered Dutch into the World Cup.

Robben is one of the best players ever to don the Oranje jersey. His 96 caps and 37 goals are a testament to his skills and abilities. He helped the Netherlands reach the 2010 World Cup final, losing to Spain in extra time. Robben also played at the 2006 and 2014 World Cups.

The Bayern Munich star retired from international soccer after the Dutch’s unsuccessful qualifying campaign.

SHKODER, ALBANIA – OCTOBER 09: Lorenzo Insigne (L) of Italy holds off the challenge from Danilo D’Ambrosio of Albania compete for the ball during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Albania and Italy at Loro Borici Stadium on October 9, 2017 in Shkoder, . (Photo by Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) /

Lorenzo Insigne (Italy)

Italy’s best striker couldn’t get a start with his national team, but he gets the nod here. Italy coach Giampiero Ventura only played the Napoli striker in the finale of the first-leg match against Sweden and not at all in the second leg. Instead, Ventura stuck with his 3-5-2 formation that couldn’t score and he was too rigid to break from it in order to give Insigne a shot.

The creative No. 10 player could have made the difference. He remains one of the few bright spots on an Italy team that couldn’t do anything right in World Cup qualifying since their loss to Spain this past summer. Insigne was so much in demand during Monday’s do-or-die match against Sweden that veteran Daniele De Rossi made a big fuss while sitting on the bench that the diminutive striker warm up and get a chance to play. He never did.

As for Insigne, he has the creativity and ability to score on free-kicks that has made him a joy to watch at Napoli. He may also get more playing time once a new coach is installed at the national team level. The 26-year-old only has 21 caps and three goals for Italy, but we could see much more from him in the coming years.

SANTIAGO, CHILE – OCTOBER 05: Alexis Sanchez of Chile fights for the ball with Renato Ibarra of Ecuador during a match between Chile and Ecuador as part of FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers at Monumental Stadium on October 05, 2017 in Santiago, Chile. (Photo by Alex Reyes/Getty Images) /

Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

The Chilean is another Premier League-based player not going to the World Cup. Alexis Sanchez is one of the best South Americans playing in Europe and his time with Arsenal has proven to be key for both club and country.

For all of Chile’s recent successes, the failure to reach Russia 2018 put Sanchez on the outside looking in, unable to test himself against the world’s best players. His 119 caps and 39 goals for Chile has made him a regular for his country since his 2006 debut. He’s also the best striker to come out of Chile since Ivan Zamorano in the late 1990s.

A hard-working player who always has an eye for the goal, Sanchez played in his only World Cup to date at Brazil 2014. At age 28, Sanchez could be around in four years time. Only time, and the fate of Chile’s ability to succeed, will tell.

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