The always promised more drama than ever before with its expanded knockout stage. And it has more than delivered after an epic Round of 32 featuring a , dramatic comebacks and a couple of displays of scintillating attacking football.
The action has been played out in the FIFA Power Rankings, with France's Kylian Mbappe leading the way for Attacking (with an average score of 8.60), Michael Olise (8.31) flying highest for Creativity and Spain's Rodri (7.50) ranked top for Defending.
The provide a data-driven measure of player performance throughout this World Cup. Using advanced analytics, these rankings assess contributions across Attacking, Creativity and Defending categories, tracking the players who have the greatest influence on matches as the tournament unfolds.
Here, FIFA takes a look at some of the biggest climbers after the last round of matches.
Kane led the Three Lions' , turning into a second-half superhero with two goals in the space of 11 minutes. The striker earned a score of 8.60 for being the decisive player who won England the game with two excellent finishes in the second half, with his 86th-minute winner standing out in particular. His display saw him rise 21 spots up to fourth, 0.03 behind third-placed Erling Haaland and 1.25 behind leader Mbappe.
Oyarzabal is making up for lost time at this World Cup after missing the 2022 edition with injury. His two goals against Austria book-ended a for the 2010 winners and earned him a score of 8.30 in the game, lifting him 63 places into 13th overall. The striker, who also scored twice against Saudi Arabia, was a consistent threat to Austria, making movements in behind and arriving in the penalty area in dangerous situations.
Quinones helped set Mexico on their way to a knockout , scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win that sent the co-hosts through to the Round of 16. The Al Qadsiah forward's attacking contribution earned him a score of 9.01, bettered only by Mbappe across all Round of 32 matches. It meant Quinones climbed 30 places to 11th overall, moving him firmly into contention among the tournament’s leading forwards after delivering again on the biggest stage for Mexico.
The winger played no part in England's last group game but made his presence felt from the bench against Congo DR, setting up both of Kane's goals and earning the highest score of any player (9.00). His decisive impact saw him climb a staggering 177 places to move into 19th place. Playing only 29 minutes, Gordon broke midfield lines five times and defensive lines on three occasions, with his passing in the final third leading to five attempts at goal.
Having scored Spain's only goal in their last outing against Uruguay, Baena turned provider in their impressive Round of 32 win against the Austrians. Baena was influential off the left wing, able to drift inside and receive the ball in dangerous situations, such as when setting up Pedro Porro for the all-important second goal. He earned a Creativity score of 8.29 for the match, which helped him soar 73 places into 31st.
With Spain producing one of the most complete performances of the Round of 32 against Austria, it is unsurprising that La Roja have strong representation across the Power Rankings. Yamal posted Spain’s highest individual Creativity score in the game of 8.30, just 0.01 ahead of team-mate Baena; only Mbappe and Olise recorded higher scores in the category across the whole round. The Barcelona winger, who turns 19 this month, climbed 26 places to sixth overall and was named for his display.
The co-hosts needed their defence to be on top form after goalscorer Folarin Balogun was sent off with 26 minutes remaining against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Richards stepped up. He exerted his dominance in defensive duels, aerial contests and regained possession 10 times. He anchored USA's defensive structure and provided the platform for the team's aggressive pressing and quick attacking transitions. His display saw him leap 21 places into sixth.
Having played only seven minutes in Morocco's previous game with Haiti, Mazraoui was back in the thick of the action against the Netherlands, recording the highest defensive score in the match (7.9) and subsequently climbing 50 places to 13th. Mazraoui combined strong individual defending with consistent activity around Morocco’s defensive third, ranking first for possession regains (12) , aerial duels won (7) and possession contests won (7).
Cubarsi produced one of the standout defensive displays of the Round of 32 in Spain’s 3-0 victory over Austria, earning a score of 8.37. Only France's William Saliba (8.80) scored higher in the first knockout stage. That performance helped lift the Barcelona centre-back 12 places to third in the Defending rankings, behind team-mate Rodri and Brazil midfielder Casemiro. Cubarsi, along with compatriot Yamal, are currently among the leading contenders in the race for the FIFA Young Player Award too.
Sources: FIFA Official
