5 Chinese Super League players stand-outs at World Cup

All 10 Chinese Super League players have completed their journey at the World Cup in Russia. Five of them left their mark in World Cup history with their stand-out performances.

South Korea's Kim Young-Gwon was the first Chinese Super League player to score a goal at this edition of the World Cup. The Guangzhou Evergrande defender chipped in the first of South Korea's two stoppage time goals against Germany, effectively sending the reigning champions home after the group stage. It was Kim's first World Cup goal. However the 2-0 win wasn't enough to send South Korea through to the round of 16. Kim and his teammates have to settle for third place in Group F and an early exit from Russia. 

South Korea's Kim Young-gwon scores the opening goal during the group F match between South Korea and Germany, at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia, Wednesday, June 27, 2018. [Photo: AP]

Kim did attract interest from Europe and is reportedly a summer transfer target of Turkish Super Lig heavyweights Besiktas. Kim had previously expressed his desire to play in the elite European football leagues having won every trophy at club level in China with Guangzhou Evergrande. 

Brazil's Paulinho scores his side's opening goal during the group E match between Serbia and Brazil, at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 27, 2018. [Photo: AP]

Paulinho scored a goal on the same night with his club teammate Kim. Paulinho's first-half opener helped Brazil to a 2-0 win over Serbia, guaranteeing Brazil top spot in their group and an early ticket to the knock-out games. 

Paulinho and Brazil went on to beat Mexico in the round of 16 but were defeated at the hands of Belgium in the quarterfinals. 

Paulinho was still with Barcelona at the start of the World Cup. He made the switch from Guangzhou Evergrande last year on a 40 million Euro deal. After Brazil's World Cup exit, Paulinho made a return to China and rejoined Evergrande on a one-year-loan from Barcelona. 

Brazil's Renato Augusto shoots on the goal during the quarterfinal match between Brazil and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kazan Arena, in Kazan, Russia, Friday, July 6, 2018. [Photo: AP/Francisco Seco]

Brazil could not get past Belgium but Beijing Guo'an captain Renato Augusto did score his side's only goal in Brazil's 2-1 defeat. 

Augusto only needed 3 minutes to score his first World Cup goal after he was substituted in. 

Axel Witsel celebrates with teammate Eden Hazard after Jan Vertonghen scored Belgium's opening goal during the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. [Photo: AP/Pavel Golovkin]

Belgium came short of reaching the final after a 1-0 defeat by France but the Red Devils still got to play one more game which they beat England 2-0 for a third place finish – their best ever at the World Cup. Belgium achieved the feat with the service of Tianjin Quanjian's Axel Witsel and Dalian Yifang's Yannick Carrasco. 

Yannick Carrasco during the round of 16 match between Belgium and Japan at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Monday, July 2, 2018. [Photo: AP/Pavel Golovkin]