Interim World Cup balance: There is no clear favorite

Who are the surprises? A blatant underdog in the round of 16? Doesn't exist! You won't find a real surprise team (like Costa Rica four years ago) this year. The biggest surprise is therefore the elimination of world champions Germany – and the associated group victory for the Swedes. Now the three-crown team has a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals because Switzerland is not an overpowering opponent. Favorite Brazil? Yes, with some reservations. © APA/afp / FRANCISCO LEONG

Who are the favorites for the title? Hard to say. So far, few teams have really impressed. Brazil was sometimes really good, but also weak at times. France turned out to be a pragmatic team that hardly exuded any enthusiasm for the game. Spain had to tremble in all three games. And Argentina only came along Hanging and choking into the round of 16. If you go by purely sporting performance, Croatia would have to be the top favorite - because Luka Modric & Co. have been extremely confident so far. Belgium also won all group games. Nevertheless: Anything is possible in the knockout phase and the big nations always have to be reckoned with. Who disappointed? Of course, Germany should be mentioned here first and foremost. Being eliminated as world champions in the group phase (and bottom of the group at that) is one Embarrassment . Among the losers of the World Cup: Manuel Neuer and Mats Hummels. © APA/afp / BENJAMIN CREMEL

But they are not the only disappointed ones. No African team made it to the round of 16 – for for the first time since 1982 . An entire continent is suffering here and Senegal in particular (they were eliminated due to fair play). Peru is also struggling: the football shown was very good, but the results were not. And Iceland had also expected more after the 1-1 draw at the start against Argentina. Just like Poland, where Robert Lewandowski is complaining captain wurde. Who are the top scorers? The Englishman Harry Kane is the top scorer so far with five goals. Behind them are Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) and Belgium attacker Romelu Lukaku with four goals. Best scorer of the World Cup so far: Harry Kane. © APA/afp / NICOLAS ASFOURI

Spain's Diego Costa scored three times, as did Russian winger Denis Cheryshev. Alexander Golowin (Russia), Juan Quintero (Colombia) and Tunisia captain Wahbi Kazri have provided the most assists so far. They each prepared two goals. Who is the fairest team? There are three teams here: Saudi Arabia, Spain and Uruguay only received one yellow card each. England follows behind with two warnings. The bullies of the World Cup are the players from Panama with eleven yellow cards. South Korea (10) and Serbia (9) also scored well. The only teams to be sent off are Germany, Russia and Colombia. Who are the stars of the World Cup? Cristiano Ronaldo delighted the world with his hat-trick – including a dream free kick – against Spain. Lionel Messi and Neymar, however, have not had much of an impact so far. Cristiano Ronaldo has lived up to his superstar role so far. © APA/afp / JUAN MABROMATA

Although the Argentine scored in the decisive game against Nigeria, he also missed a penalty against Iceland. And Neymar is doing more so far Swallows and embarrassing falls More attention to yourself than with good football. He is definitely a star on social networks Icelander Rurik Gislason become. His Instagram follower count exploded during the World Cup. Russian midfielder Golowin was also able to play his role in the spotlight: technically brilliant, the 22-year-old is the player who has run the most so far.

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Interim World Cup balance: There is no clear favorite

The preliminary round of the World Cup in Russia is over. Time to take stock. Who are the favorites? Who are the top scorers and who are the fairest teams? SportNews knows.

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