World Cup - Russia 2018

So the first round games of the world's largest sporting event is complete, meaning that all 32 have played one of their three group games.  Although it is far from determined as to who all will advance to the bracket, several teams made strong statements, and several proved they are just lucky to be in the World Cup.  The below is a ranking of how the teams have looked so far.

A couple of notes as to the standings: (1) The teams that won are all listed ahead of any teams that drew, even if the the latter looked better; (2) My rankings come only based upon how I think each team has looked so far, taking into account their opponent - prior rankings of the teams do not factor into these rankings; and (3) Score can be a factor in how a team performed, but if a team won by 5 it doesn't necessarily mean they are ranked higher than a team that may have won by 2 goals.

Winners

1.  Belgium - The number three ranked team in the world looked every bit that good as they dismantled Panama behind a brace from Romelu Lukaku and a gorgeous volley from Dries Mertens (who is one of the best players so far in this tournament).

2.  Mexico - El Tri beat the vaunted Germans 1-0, but seemed to control large portions of the game.  The midfielders controlled possession and were not afraid in close possession against the team most select to win the entire tournament.

3.  Russia - The hosts decimated Saudi Arabia 5-0 behind a brace from Denis Cheryshev.  Although Saudi Arabia is likely the worst team in the tournament, Russia did exactly what it was supposed to do.

4.  Senegal - Probably the best dark horse in the tournament, Senegal proved that they are possibly the fastest overall team in Russia.  A late concession made the game closer in score than it was on the pitch.

5.  Croatia - Defeated Nigeria 2-0 and seemed in control most of the match.

6.  England - A brace by Harry Kane, including an extra time header to win, in a solid performance over Tunisia.  Late substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek put a lot of offensive pressure on Tunisia, and we should look for him to start next match.

7.  Sweden - A solid if unspectacular win over South Korea.

8.  France - Lucky to have defeated Australia 2-1 in a match in which France played well below their talent level.

9.  Serbia - Defeated a defensive-oriented, but non-spectacular Costa Rican team.

10.  Uruguay - Took an 89th minute goal to defeat Egypt.

11.  Japan - Took advantage of a third minute red card for an intentional handball in the box to defeat Colombia 2-1.  Without the dismissal, Japan likely loses.

12.  Denmark - They won a game in which Peru often looked like the better squad.

13.  Iran - A 90+5th minute goal to defeat Morocco 1-0 and to snatch 3 points from an otherwise deadlocked match.

Ties

14.  Spain - Tied Iberian rivals Portugal in a 3-3 stunner, coming back from deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 and losing the win on an 88th free kick by Ronaldo.  Diego Costa with a brace.

15.  Portugal - Tied on a stunning free kick by Cristiano Ronaldo in the 88th minute to complete his hat trick.  Only behind Spain because the last foul Ronaldo drew might have been a bit of a flop.

16.  Brazil - Really controlled most of the game against Switzerland, but one defensive breakdown allowed the Swiss to draw against the pre-tournament co-favorites.

17.  Argentina - Also controlled their match against Iceland, for the most part, and Messi had an attempt to take the lead on a penalty, but the penalty was saved by Hannes bor Halldorsson.

18.  Switzerland - Not a superb effort, but enough offense to draw with Brazil.

19.  Iceland - Like Switzerland, but with less offense and much better defense.  A Messi missed penalty was the difference.

Losers

20.  Peru - The one losing team that actually looked like it controlled the game.  Lost 1-0 to Denmark, but that game easily could have gone the other way.

21.  Germany - Although Mexico deserved the win, Germany played fairly well.  I don't foresee the Germans being this far down the list after round 2.

22.  Australia - Really gave France a game.  Les Blues were lucky to come out of that game with the full 3 points as Australia earned/deserved a draw.

23.  Colombia - Played galliantly with only 10 men for the last 87 minutes plus extra time.  Probably deserved to be ranked higher, but the 2-1 loss to Japan will be hard to stomach.  Still likely to escape the group stage, but it is much harder of a job now.

24.  Poland - Managed a late goal to make their 2-1 loss against Sengal interesting, but looked slow throughout.

25.  South Korea - Lost 1-0 in a close match against Sweden, but looked sluggish as this was one of the least interesting games of the first round of the group stage.

26.  Nigeria - Did not put up too much of a fight in the 2-0 loss to Croatia.

27.  Egypt -Played Uruguay tough, only giving up a late goal to lose, but looks powerless with Mohammed Salah on the pitch.  Next round should look much different.

28.  Costa Rica - Lost 1-0 to Serbia, but doesn't look like it has much firepower at all. It'll be a feat to score a goal in the tournament.

29.  Morocco - Played a fairly good defensive game in the loss to Iran.  Not dangerous on the ball at all.  Only ranked this high because the three teams below looked so putrid.

30.  Tunisia - Lost to England 2-1, and in fact, actually made the English squad look good, despite holding onto the draw until Harry Kane's header in extra time.

31.  Panama - Looked fairly good defensively for a half, and even took some - not much but some - offensive chances.  Second half was a whole different game.

32.  Saudi Arabia - Lost 5-0 to the hosts, Russia.