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The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia has been a quite interesting and has mostly had a close and thrilling contest between teams in the group stage. Being referred to as the World Cup of underdogs, we have seen the defending champions bowed out in the group stage due to the terrific performances of Mexico and South Korea.
The best match of the World Cup so far has been the thrilling and enthralling encounter between Portugal and Spain in which Cristiano Ronaldo was the star of the match. South American powerhouses such as Argentina have been disappointing and were lucky to make it to the Round of 16.
The most dominant teams at the World Cup have been Belgium who have won all 3 matches of their group. Small teams such as Mexico, South Korea, and Japan have beaten footballing giants such as Germany and Colombia.
Teams which have been eliminated in the group stage such as Iran, Nigeria, Senegal, Costa Rica and Morocco have showcased their talent at the World Cup. Let us look at the 5 players who have made an impact for their respective teams in the group stage:
#5 Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku has surprisingly made a bigger impact than his teammate Eden Hazard at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Having scored 4 goals in 2 matches, he has shown his wonderful finishing ability to the World. Hence, he has provided value to the final ball delivered to him by Hazard and De Bruyne.
Having scored in the two group matches against Panama and Tunisia, Lukaku has a passing accuracy of 67.9 in opposition's area. a goal conversion rate of 80% and scores in each game at an average of 37.3 minutes. He has had 4 shots on target and slotted each of them in the opposition's net.
Being one of the top contenders for the Golden Boot, Lukaku will be a player to watch out for in the knockout stage at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
#4 Hirving Lozano
Lozano has been one of the most talented players at the World Cup. He was phenomenal for Mexico in the first two games of the group against Germany and South Korea. His pace, dribbling skills and his cool finishing was mesmerizing and Kimmich was no match to him in their first group stage match. He provided a fabulous assist to Hernandez in the second game against South Korea.
Having scored 1 goal and provided an assist in the group stage matches, Lozano has completed 49 successful passes and has passing accuracy 85.1% in opposition's half. He was also awarded the FIFA Man of the Match award for his outstanding performance against Germany. His performance at the World Cup has also caught the eye of elite clubs in Europe.
He is Mexico's X-factor and hence will look to win the toughest game in the World Cup against Brazil single-handedly.
#3 Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva has been rock solid for Brazil in all the group stage matches. He was decent against Switzerland, warded off the threats from Costa Rica in the second match and scored from the corner with a wonderful header against Serbia.
Having helped Alisson in keeping 2 clean sheets in the group stage, Silva has had a success rate of 75% at tackling and has won 66.7% aerial duels in the group stage at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His cool, composure and work ethic makes him a world-class defender.
His presence at the back gives confidence to the Brazilian team and hence will have the important role of keeping the Mexican attackers at bay in the Round of 16.
#2 Harry Kane
Harry Kane is having an amazing World Cup. Being the top scorer in the World Cup at present, he has made England one of the favourites to win the trophy. His match awareness and poaching skills have been second to none. He is also the captain of the young England side at the World Cup.
Having scored 2 goals against Tunisia and a hat-trick against Panama, Kane has a prolific conversion rate of 100% and has scored a goal at an average of 30.6 in every match he has played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He has scored all his 5 goals from inside the oppositions penalty box.
His goal scoring form will determine the progress of England in the knockout stage.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has been probably at his best for Portugal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Having scored 4 goals in 3 matches in the group stage, his stunning free-kick against Spain in the dying minutes of the game was probably the best goal at the World Cup till now.
Portugal, being a one-man army team will depend on Ronaldo in their match against Uruguay in the Round of 16. Having beaten Puskas record of being the highest European goalscorer of all time against Morocco, Portugal will expect Ronaldo to fire for them in the knockout stage and inspire them through his leadership skills.
He will be the most important player to watch out in the Round of 16.
