World Cup Top 10: The Best Performers from Gameweek 2

With gameweek two of the group stages now done and dusted at the World Cup, we assess the top performers from the previous round in Russia.

10. John Stones (England) - WhoScored.com rating 8.70

Having so nearly opened his World Cup account in England’s meeting with Tunisia, only to see his header spectacularly saved before being turned in by Harry Kane, Stones got the Three Lions on their way against Panama. His bullet header opened the scoring in a complete rout, with the centre-back adding his second and England’s fourth in a 6-1 win.

9. Toni Kroos (Germany) - WhoScored.com rating 8.84

It may not have been vintage Kroos against Sweden, but the Real Madrid star was still the hero for Die Mannschaft and the player that ensured the reigning champions remained on top despite going down to ten men. The midfielder curled home a magnificent last minute winner and completed 93% of 121 passes, completing 3 dribbles and 3 tackles.

8. James Rodriguez (Colombia) - WhoScored.com rating 8.85

Returning to the side having sat out from kick-off against Japan, James Rodriguez was keen to make up for lost time and remind us all just how good he was in Brazil four years ago. Unlike that tournament, he’s still yet to score this time around but did register two assists as Colombia secured a huge victory and knocked out Poland in the process.

7. Luka Modric (Croatia) - WhoScored.com rating 8.85

One of nine players to have scored in each of his opening two matches of the tournament, Modric has pulled the strings for one of the teams of the tournament thus far in Croatia. He put in an outstanding all round performance in a 3-0 win over Argentina and is taking his chance to shine in what will likely be his last ever World Cup.

6. Juan Cuadrado (Colombia) - WhoScored.com rating 8.88

Scoring the third goal in a convincing win over a lacklustre Poland side, Cuadrado was a livewire all game having been sacrificed when Carlos Sanchez was sent off in Colombia’s opener with Japan. The winger completed five dribbles and 95% of his 58 pass attempts on Sunday.

5. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) - WhoScored.com rating 9.07

Keeping himself very much in the running for the Golden Boot this summer, Romelu Lukaku became the only to score more than once in each of his first two appearances at the World Cup. His brace against Tunisia came from just two shots, while the Manchester United man created two chances and won 5 aerial duels before being withdrawn just before the hour mark.

4. Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) - WhoScored.com rating 9.12

Key to keeping clubmate Lionel Messi under wraps against Argentina, Rakitic’s performance cast that of the 31-year-old into the shadows, scoring Croatia’s third goal with one of four attempts. He hit the frame of the goal with an excellent free-kick moments beforehand, led the way for tackles (four) and completed three dribbles in a majestic display.

3. Eden Hazard (Belgium) - WhoScored.com rating 9.16

Pipping his compatriot Lukaku to the man of the match award as Belgium ran riot against Tunisia, Hazard also scored twice, hitting the target with three of four attempts at goal. The Chelsea flyer also created three chances, completed a match high of five dribbles and was fouled four times, winning the opening penalty which the skipper duly converted.

2. Ahmed Musa (Nigeria) - WhoScored.com rating 9.54

He may not have made his mark on the Premier League but for the second World Cup running Ahmed Must has made a name for himself with an excellent brace, this time in a crucial victory over Iceland. Both of his goals were superbly taken and the forward almost had a hat-trick having hit the woodwork from distance between his two strikes. With an 88% pass accuracy and four dribbles to his name, the 25-year-old will approach the game with Argentina in high spirits having scored twice against La Albiceleste in Brazil four years ago.

1. Harry Kane (England) - WhoScored.com rating 9.77

Moving clear in the race for the Golden Boot, Kane bagged a World Cup hat-trick against Panama, although his third goal was fortuitous to say the least. The two spot kicks he converted before hand couldn’t have been more emphatic, though, and have boosted the Spurs striker’s confidence even further ahead of a showdown with Belgium on Thursday.