The group stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup is in full swing and things are getting interesting. As the battles rage on, there are the usual suspects who triumph, and underdog stories. However, with every team and every performance, there are certain players who stand out.

These players have made all the difference for their respective teams and proved that they are the best.So, here are the five best players of the FIFA World Cup so far.

Hirving Lozano

A popular pick on many World Cup “ones to watch” lists, Hirving Lozano lived up to his reputation by stunning Germany. The PSV player looked threatening on the counterattack throughout the Germany clash. He claimed a superb goal and three points to boot for Juan Carlos Osorio’s side.

“Chucky,” as Lozano is affectionately known, has been in the news amid growing speculation regarding a summer move. Lozano and the Mexico team did not look the least bit intimidated by the fact that they were up against the defending champions.

Diego Costa

Diego Costa has been a vital cog in the Spanish attack. If he maintains this sort of form, he should be able to banish the demons of his disappointing 2014 World Cup. He scored a brace in the 3-3 draw with Portugal. He even starred in a 1-0 victory over Iran.

This is the Atletico Madrid goalscorer’s second tournament as a Spanish international. His performances in 2014 were sub-par and far below his domestic standards in La Liga. But,  Russia is proving to be a rebirth for the Brazilian-born Spaniard.

Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho has been an incredible player for Brazil. In 2 matches, he has fired in a goal in both. Although Neymar is a more prominent figure in Brazilian football, Coutinho is no slouch. He played a vital role in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland and a 2-0 win over Costa Rica. The Barcelona star has been Brazil’s go to man in the event of Neymar having his work cut out for him.

Luka Modric

On Thursday evening, Luca Modric broke through every single Argentine defence. He put in a performance that Real Madrid can be proud of. Modric can also be considered a candidate for the Ballon d’Or, despite his statistics not being as impressive as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

His pass success rating against Jorge Sampaoli’s Albiceleste was a staggering 83%. He capped the flawless performance with a sensational strike from a distance. The ball curled into the bottom corner of the net and became another nail in Argentina’s coffin.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Of course, this list would not be complete without Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese captain is the leading international goal-scorer and is increasing his tally in the FIFA World Cup. He kicked things off with a hattrick vs Spain. He followed it up with another goal against Morocco, taking his tally to 4.

Ronaldo also helped guide his team to the Euro Cup with scintillating performances. Meanwhile, Messi could not bring the Copa America home. This World Cup would determine who was the better player under pressure. Needless to say, Ronaldo is winning that battle and inching closer to a Golden Boot.