Why 'big brother' Van Dijk is key to Dutch World Cup dreams

Published 9 minutes ago I have never seen a team win a World Cup without a solid defence. We talk about France having the best attack at this tournament but, now we are in the knockout stage, being able to stop goals is going to be as important as scoring them. England, for example, will need to tighten up at the back compared to how they played against Croatia and Ghana. The games are going to be harder and closer, even for the leading teams - we are not going to see as many big scores. There have been a lot of goals so far, more than at any other World Cup, but some defences have already impressed me and, when I think about the strongest, then maybe it's the Dutch who have the best one. I really like the whole Netherlands back-line of Denzel Dumfries or Jurrien Timber, Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk and Micky Van de Ven, and almost all of them have just had very good seasons. The only one you might say who was not at his best with his club team was Virgil but I would say that was more down to Liverpool's problems than his. Virgil is still the leader of that Dutch defence and he has not just got talented players around him, they have got lots of pace and energy and physicality too. He is 34, almost 35 now, but already we have seen some superstar attackers who are much older have a big impact at this tournament, and I feel he is also still at the top of his game. Image source, Reuters Image caption, Van Dijk has played every minute of the Netherlands' three games at this World Cup The one time I won our physical battle Virgil is a player I know very well. I know he has named me as his toughest opponent - he called me his 'bogeyman' because of the goals I scored against him - but we have got a mutual respect. I would put him in my top three of toughest defenders I have faced too, along with Spain's Sergio Ramos and Portugal's Pepe, and we have had some great duels down the years. In the past, my friends have shown me a funny picture of him which always makes me laugh - you can see it here below - where we are having a physical battle. I think I won it! Image source, Getty Images Image caption, As well as winning this challenge, Giroud won the game too - scoring with a header in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Liverpool in May 2018 I have just chested the ball and look quite cool and composed, while Virgil is bouncing off me, and falling down like that. I wish that happened every time we played each other - but it was maybe the one time in 10 that I won our duel and that's why it is funny. There must be many other pictures where he is up, and it is me down on the floor! That photo was taken in 2018 and Virgil has had a few injuries since then, but he is still strong and of course he is still as clever and composed as ever. This is probably his last chance to win a World Cup and I am pretty sure he knows his team are relying also on his leadership to go far in the tournament, which is the other side of what he brings. As well as being captain, he is kin