Gareth Bale and team-mate named in 'Worst Team of the…

Gareth Bale and team-mate named in 'Worst Team of the World Cup' as brutal ratings dished out

After a month of intense competition and captivating football, the World Cup has reached its conclusion.

Lionel Messi-led Argentina pipped Kylian Mbappe's France in a final for the ages on Sunday afternoon, with the South Americans coming out on top in he penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw after extra time.

On the pitch, it has been a tournament to remember. While, of course, fans in this little corner of the world were delighted just to see their country represented on the biggest stage, there was some criticism over the disappointing performances which were put in during their group stage matches with the USA, Iran and England.

And some of Wales' players have not escaped the notoriously sharp pencils of French outlet L'Equipe, famous for their brutal analysis and player ratings.

L'Equipe have announced what they deem to be their 'Worst Team of the Tournament' in Monday's edition of the paper, just hours after France were declared runners-up to Argentina.

The XI comprises three players from Poland, two from Wales and one apiece from Belgium, Iran, Qatar, Costa Rica, Senegal and Denmark. Alongside each player is a rating which ranges from 2.5/10 to 3.5/10.

The two players from Wales are captain Gareth Bale, who received a 3/10, and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who got a joint-top 3.5/10.

Bale, the scorer of Wales' only goal at the World Cup after converting the penalty he won against the USA, was named the official match sponsor's Player of the Match for the opening group game against the Americans. Clearly L'Equipe didn't see it that way, however Bale himself will likely have been disappointed with his overall output from across the tournament given his lofty standards and the special moments he is so capable of providing.

Hennessey is likely included due to his horror moment against Iran when he was sent off for a kung-fu kick on Mehdi Taremi late on. That moment preceded Iran's two goals, which practically sealed Wales' fate with such a mountainous task of overcoming England in the final game facing them.

Here are L'Equipe's worst tournament ratings in full. (Players had to have played a minimum of two matches.)

Wayne Henessey (Wales) - 3.5

Matty Cash (Poland) - 3.5

Hossein Kanaani (Iran) - 3

Boualem Khoukhi (Qatar) - 3.33

Yannick Carrasco (Belgium) - 3

Andreas Skov Olsen (Denmark) - 2.5

Krystian Bielik (Poland) - 3.33

Piotr Zieliński (Poland) - 3.5

Krépin Diatta (Senegal) - 3

Gareth Bale (Wales) - 3

Anthony Contreras (Costa Rica) - 3