Vozinha (Cape Verde, goalkeeper)
A star was born, at 40, when a player whose highest-profile employers were Portugal’s Gil Vicente denied Spain’s all-stars in that historic 0-0 draw. His Christian name being Josimar may well have pointed to his being a nascent World Cup cult hero. So huge was his impact that the US authorities, on the orders of the House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, waived the visa fee and $15,000 (£11,300) bond for his mother, now able to fly in for her boy’s continuing adventures. Seven saves from Spain have made him a global social media sensation, too.
Vladimir Coufal (Czechia, right-back)
With set-piece football so voguish in the club game, long-throw experts are at a premium. Coufal is 33, and at Hoffenheim these days, though is widely recalled as a West Ham player. That the Hammers let go the man with the golden arm who created his country’s best chances – and their goal – against South Korea will not have escaped the club’s fans. In North America, he has been employed as a wingback in a team who have best embodied the physical approach of the European mid-rankers.
Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo, centre-back)
The passage of time means there are now tougher tasks in football than denying Cristiano Ronaldo a goal but Portugal still possess other players of high attacking class. The Democratic Republic of the Congo closed every door down. Mbemba is not an unknown quantity, the Lille defender having been a Newcastle and Marseille player; he is best recalled in England for turning up pre-match at St James’ Park in a tuxedo. As his country secured their first ever World Cup finals point, he led the defensive effort. The stats show that Ronaldo made 47 offers to receive the ball but got it only 10 times, as Mbemba was covering off the space, chopping down a tall tree as he did so.
Wilfried Singo (Côte d’Ivoire, centre-back)
Ecuador took a painful lesson in Philadelphia, John Yeboah and Alan Minda hitting the woodwork before they succumbed to a late goal from Amad Diallo. The architect of the winner was Galatasaray’s Singo, surging forward, his long run from defence taking him beyond tired opponents, and setting up Amad’s finish. Earlier, Singo’s running battle with the Ecuador striker Enner Valencia set the tone for a physical contest. He also caught the eye with an ambitious attempt at a bicycle kick.
Richie Laryea (Canada, left-back)
Canada’s buildup was dominated by the fitness doubts surrounding their captain, Alphonso Davies. Jesse Marsch has not needed to risk his talismanic left-back in the opening two games thanks to the performances of Laryea, who usually plays on the right. The Toronto FC defender is full of running and provides the sort of attacking threat Marsch demands, a real outlet in the 6-0 takedown of Qatar. Davies’s absence need not be such a hindrance.
Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco, midfielder)
He only declared for Morocco on 15 May but the France-born Lille midfielder’s performances against Brazil and Scotland have confirmed his reputation as one of the most promising players around. Almost a complete list of elite clubs are linked with an 18-year-old who pairs physical presence with an innate reading of the game. Casemiro and Scott McTominay have been found wanting by Bouaddi’s presence. “A masterclass,” said Achraf Hakimi, the captain used to playing alongside the very best. These performances will come as no surprise to scouts, who know all about a player who already embodies a new, expansive Morocco team.
Johan Manzambi (Switzerland, midfielder)
Granit Xhaka was not happy with the contribution of Switzerland’s substitutes in their 1-1 draw with Qatar. Without naming Manzambi, the captain lamented the way the team “no longer had the discipline in certain positions”. The 20-year-old’s impact off the bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina was emphatic. Xhaka denied the Freiburg forward the chance to complete his hat-trick with a late penalty, laying another marker that discipline and the collective remain key.
Yasin Ayari (Sweden, midfielder)
At the heart of Sweden’s commanding opening performance against Tunisia, and scoring two goals, was the Brighton midfielder, replicating early-season club form that fell victim to injury. Ayari, slight and willowy, pairs his creativity with energy and an aggression belying his physique. “That’s why I didn’t celebrate, because I feel a lot for the country,” he explained after scoring against the country of his father’s birth, having also shown why he is the latest Brighton player to be chased in the transfer market. He will cost a significant fee.
Elijah Just (New Zealand, right-winger)
Chris Wood, the striker expected to score his nation’s goals, turned supplier for both the Motherwell man’s ones against Iran. Just’s first came from neat control of Wood’s flick followed by a thunderous finish, the second involved a run from midfield, another Wood flick, and an even better finish. The North Islander is coming off a fine Scottish Premiership season and had been linked with a move to Celtic but has now alerted suitors far and wide.
Folarin Balogun (USA, forward)
So far for the daddy hosts, Balogun has been the star of the tournament. The native New Yorker – by dint of an airline official – has been at the core of Mauricio Pochettino’s high-transition, speed-demon attack. “The kid’s insane,” said Christian Pulisic, who has been able to take a back seat and was benched against Australia as a precaution, while the Monaco man assumes centre stage and becomes an all-American hero. It was Balogun’s burst of speed and unplayable delivery that caused panic in the Australia ranks for Cameron Burgess’s opening own goal as progress to the last 32 was secured.
Julián Quiñones (Mexico, left-winger)
In Javier Aguirre’s pragmatic, often uninspiring Mexico team, that have still secured top spot in Group A with two wins, Quiñones has been the brightest spark. The 29-year-old, Colombia-born winger set the co-hosts on their way inside 10 minutes of the opener at the Azteca and does not lack for confidence, later trying to lob South Africa’s Ronwen Williams from a very long way out.
