World Cup's Best Matches, Moments, Goals & Players So Far – Ranked

Two weeks into the World Cup, the tournament is building momentum. Every team has played twice, delivering stunning goals, upsets, and memorable moments. Before the decisive third group-stage matches, BBC Sport ranks the best matches, moments, players, and goals so far.

Best World Cup Matches

1. Norway 2–2 Senegal

A match that had everything: an underdog taking the lead, a comeback, another twist, and chances galore for both sides. Erling Haaland continued his fine start to his first World Cup with a second double of the tournament, but Senegal fought until the end.

2. England 3–2 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 sides.

3. Netherlands 2–2 Sweden

Both sides showed how dangerous they are going forward in a match that kept you guessing until the very end. The Netherlands were brilliant in a devastating first half, but Sweden created their fair share of chances as well.

4. 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.

5. Cape Verde 0–0 Spain

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

6. Colombia 1–1 Uzbekistan

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

7. Australia 2–1 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.

8. 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

1. Lionel Messi scores Argentina hat-trick

The brilliant Argentine's treble against Algeria not only equalled the all-time World Cup goals record but showed he remains world class at age 38.

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

After a week of criticism, Cristiano Ronaldo turned up, 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. 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

The France striker scored a stunning double to help his country beat Senegal, surpassing Olivier 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, he is now.

6. Curacao equalise against Germany

Curacao's 7–1 drubbing on their World Cup debut may have been expected, but no one predicted Livano Comencia's first-half leveller—some moment.

7. DR Congo's late 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. 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 came in some style, with Jonathan David scoring a hat-trick.