The first round of games are over and we have had one heck of a show. So far a total of 38 goals have been scored in 16 games and all 32 countries have graced the pitch in Russia. The quality of football is what all football fans would have been hoping for and we have had notable performances from a couple of established players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Costa after contesting in possibly the game of the tournament. Breakthrough stars like Aleksandr Golovin was a magician in Russia’s first game against Saudi Arabia and Hannes Halldorsson is now the man who stopped Messi.

Here is a ranking of the top 5 performers in the World Cup 2018 after the first set of group games.

5. Harry Kane

England’s captain Harry Kane gave a solid and reliable performance against Tunisia on Monday by scoring two goals that ensured England ran out 2–1 winners. Harry Kane capitalised on Tunisia’s weaknesses in set-pieces by converting two back post chances. The first goal was tucked in after Tunisia’s goalkeeper pushed out a goal-bound header from John Stones to Kane who slotted it in easily. Kane was left free in the 90^th minute and tucked in an easily headed the winner to seal the win at the death.

 

4. Hannes Halldorsson

The Icelandic goalkeeper and filmmaker gave an outstanding performance against Argentina, most notably a Lionel Messi penalty save in the 64^th minute and he had a string of six saves in the game to ensure Iceland finished the game with one point.

 

3. Diego Costa

Atletico Madrid striker showed his class to the world with his brace against Portugal for Spain. He left Chelsea fans cursing Antonio Conte for selling the target man. He was a real beast in the game and troubled the Portuguese defenders and they never had a moment’s rest and were only able to push up after he was subbed off. Costa’s first goal was a typical Costa goal where he muscled Portuguese defender Pepe, and was in between about five Portuguese defenders to slot it home.

 

2. Aleksandr Golovin

Russian playmaker Golovin had a fantastic game in Russia 5–0 routing of Saudi Arabia. He had a supreme game and barely put a foot wrong in the whole game and grabbed two assists and scored Russia’s fifth goal with a wonderful freekick. It was certainly a breakout performance and he will look to build on the performances in the coming games against Egypt and Uruguay.

 

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo gave a virtuoso performance for Portugal by scoring a hat-trick to ensure a 3-3 draw against Iberian neighbours Spain. He fortified his status as arguably the best in the world with an all-time performance. The crown of the jewel was his 86th-minute free-kick to rescue the point for Portugal. It was clear Ronaldo was up for the game and Spain could not nullify him in any way, and so far he is the only superstar in the World Cup to measure up to his status.

I personally believe he can go on to score 10 goals in this World Cup – I will not put it past him.