World Cup’s best matches, moments, goals & players so far – ranked

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World Cup’s best matches, moments, goals & players so far – ranked

Cape Verde celebrate equalising against UruguayImage source, Getty Images
ByBBC Sport journalists
  • Published

Two weeks in and this World Cup is starting to build up a head of steam.

We’ve seen every team twice with some stunning goals, upsets and a host of memorable moments.

So before the all-important third group-stage games begin, BBC Sport ranks the best matches, moments, players and goals of the tournament so far.

Have a read and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Best World Cup matches

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1: Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde

A match that had everything. An underdog taking the lead, a comeback, another twist and chances galore for both sides. What a game.

2: Norway 3-2 Senegal

Erling Haaland continued his fine start to his first World Cup with a second double of the tournament, but Senegal fought until the end.

3: England 4-2 Croatia

No bias here. Just a genuinely good game of football. Four goals in an entertaining first half before England produced a superb display after the break. Could have been more goals for both.

4: Netherlands 2-2 Japan

Both sides showed how dangerous they are going forward in a match that had you guessing right until the very end.

5: Netherlands 5-1 Sweden

The Netherlands were brilliant in a devastating first half – but Sweden created their fair share of chances as well.

6: Iran 2-2 New Zealand

Those who stayed up were rewarded with an absolute cracker as Iran twice came from behind to deny New Zealand their first World Cup win.

7: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

Yes, we know it was 0-0 but what a 0-0. No-one expected the African minnows to have a chance but their gutsy display, and heroics of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, will live long in the memory.

8: Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia

Colombia were full of attacking intent, Uzbekistan full of steel. A match many will have missed out on.

9: Australia 2-0 Turkey

A scoreline that far from tells the full story. Australia scored from two of their four shots on target, while Turkey wasted 30 attempts on goal.

10: USA 4-1 Paraguay

No-one was quite sure what to expect from the co-hosts but, 90 minutes later, they were left in no doubt the USA mean business.

Best World Cup moments

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1: Lionel Messi scores Argentina hat-trick

What a moment. The brilliant Argentine’s treble against Algeria not only equalled the all-time World Cup goals record, but showed he remains world class aged 38.

2: Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first player to score at six World Cups

We shouldn’t have been surprised. After a week of criticism, Cristiano Ronaldo turned up to the party, scoring twice for Portugal against Uzbekistan to make history.

3: Cape Verde open scoring against Uruguay

Many thought it couldn’t get better for Cape Verde than their 0-0 draw with Spain. And then Kevin Pina gave them the lead against Uruguay. An incredible moment as they went on to draw 2-2.

4: Kylian Mbappe breaks France scoring record

What a way to do it. The France striker scored a stunning double to help his country beat Senegal as he surpassed Oliver Giroud’s goals record.

5: Vozinha’s heroic World Cup debut

The 40-year-old Cape Verde keeper was not well known before his country’s World Cup debut against Spain. A string of saves, a 0-0 draw and 15 million Instagram followers later mean he is now.

6: Curacao equalise against Germany

Curacao’s 7-1 drubbing on their World Cup debut may have been what many expected, but no-one would have predicted Livano Comencia’s first-half leveller. Some moment.

7: DR Congo’s equaliser against Portugal

Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa gave DR Congo their first-ever World Cup point when he headed home an equaliser against Ronaldo’s Portugal in first-half stoppage time. The celebrations were memorable.

8: Harry Kane equals Gary Lineker’s England World Cup record

Already England’s leading goalscorer, Harry Kane helped himself to another record with his bullet header against Croatia putting him level with Gary Lineker on 10 World Cup goals for the Three Lions – he’ll want the record outright before the tournament is done.

9: Jonathan David hits hat-trick as Canada make history

Canada’s first World Cup win – and it came in some style. An emphatic 6-0 win over nine-man Qatar put them in a great position to qualify from the group, with Jonathan David’s treble sparking joyous celebrations in Vancouver.

10: Erling Haaland scores twice on World Cup debut

It took Erling Haaland just 29 minutes to get off the mark in his first World Cup finals appearance – and he pounced on a weak backpass to add his second before half-time as Norway beat Iraq 4-1.

Best World Cup players

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1: Lionel Messi

Two games, five goals. There has been no stopping Argentina’s little magician so far. Now the World Cup’s record goalscorer and, as he celebrates his 39th birthday, still seemingly untouchable.

2: Kylian Mbappe

The Frenchman was the Golden Boot winner in Qatar four years ago, and is after another. With two goals in each of his first two games and France expected to go deep into the tournament, he has every chance – and has looked electric thus far.

3: Erling Haaland

Another of the big names battling to be top scorer. Haaland has been at his clinical best to fire Norway into the last 32 in his maiden World Cup.

4: Denis Undav

Germany’s super-sub. The former Brighton striker has played just 56 minutes so far but already has three goals – including a last-gasp winner against Ivory Coast – and two assists to his name.

5: Vinicius Jr

A stunning equaliser against Morocco showed Vinicius Jr might just be ready to show his Real Madrid form for Brazil. Another goal and an assist against Haiti continued his strong start to the tournament.

6: Michael Olise

He may have played second fiddle behind France team-mate Mbappe in terms of headlines, but the Bayern Munich winger has been at his creative best so far.

7: Ayyoub Bouaddi

Morocco’s teenage midfielder showed exactly why so many of Europe’s top clubs are after him with an eye-catching display against Brazil, and impressed again against Scotland.

8: Yan Diomande

Another teenager attracting interest from some of the world’s leading clubs, the price for the Ivory Coast winger will only be going up after a couple of dazzling displays to start the tournament.

9: Daniel Munoz

What a tournament the Crystal Palace defender is having for Colombia. Two goals and two wins and a danger every time he flies down the flank.

10: Jonathan David

The Juventus striker is Canada’s main man and showed why with his well-taken hat-trick against Qatar.

Best World Cup goals

1: Messi opener v Algeria

Another list topped by the Argentina maestro. Collecting the ball 30 yards out, Messi advanced to the top of the D before whipping a beautiful left-footed shot into the top corner.

2: Mbappe second v Senegal

One touch to set himself, a quick glance up and then a thumping effort from 30 yards out past Edouard Mendy – some strike.

3: Balogun second v Paraguay

Folarin Balogun showed pace, power and then composure to take a touch inside the covering defender before bending the ball into the top corner with his left foot.

4: Reyna’s fourth v Paraguay

Late in the game, the Paraguay defence backed off and USA midfielder Gio Reyna took full advantage, moving into the penalty box before nonchalantly curling the ball into the far corner with the outside of his right boot.

5: Ayari’s opener against Tunisia

Yasin Ayari set Sweden on their way to a comprehensive win with a rasping shot from 25 yards that arrowed into the corner.

6: Vinicius Jr’s equaliser against Morocco

With Brazil labouring, a moment of brilliance brought them level. Vinicius Jr collected the ball on the left side of the box, cut back on to his right foot and bent an unstoppable shot into the far corner.

7: Mahmic’s volley against Switzerland for Bosnia

A moment to remember for Ermin Mahmic as he lashed a volley into the Switzerland net after a corner was only punched out to the edge of the box. Not a bad way to score your first international goal.

8: Olwan’s goal for Jordan v Austria

With the defence backing off, Ali Olwan ran from the halfway line to the penalty area before expertly curling the ball in off the post to give Jordan their first World Cup goal.

9: Munoz’s flicked volley against Uzbekistan

Colombia got up and running with this brilliant Daniel Munoz effort. Having timed his run to perfection, the Crystal Palace wing-back stretched to meet Luis Diaz’s deep cross and lift a volley past the goalkeeper.

10: Nmecha’s combination with Wirtz for goal v Curacao

Felix Nmecha fired Germany in front after playing a lovely one-two with Florian Wirtz. The pass meant Nmecha didn’t have to break stride before curling the ball around a Curacao defender into the bottom corner.

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