There was a possibility that the World Cup final would see Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic square off on Sunday for Morocco and Croatia, respectively.
That potential was crushed swiftly on Tuesday and Wednesday as both suffered heartbreak and in doing so, end Chelsea's representation in the tournament at the semi-final stage. Given the predictions before a ball was kicked, Ziyech and Kovacic being the last two standing was something few anticipated.
Kai Havertz was the first eliminated with Germany's exit in the group stage, Christian Pulisic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Denis Zakaria were next in the last 16 for USA, Senegal and Switzerland.
