Group E round-up: Neymar gradually boiling to best to claim top spot in player rankings

After watching Germany crash out of the 2018 World Cup just hours before they kicked off, Brazil avoided similar humiliation. Tire’s side eased past Serbia 2-0 to secure top spot in Group E and set up a round of 16 clash against Mexico, with Switzerland joining the pre-tournament favourites through to the knockout phase in second.

5. Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia) - 7.47 rating

With a mixture of youth and experience, many tipped Serbia to be dark horses at the 2018 World Cup, but the Eagles ultimately failed to live up to their promise and only managed a third place finish. Branislav Ivanovic would have been earmarked as a weak point for Serbia at the start of the tournament, but the former Chelsea defender impressed during his two appearances. Restored at right-back, the 34-year-old completed three dribbles per game and made four clearances per game, while also managing 1.5 dribbles per game and creating 2 goalscoring opportunities per game.

4. Thiago Silva (Brazil) - 7.55 rating

Thiago Silva is one of four Brazilians making up four of the top five highest WhoScored rated players in Group E. The Paris Saint-Germain defender hasn’t always been first choice under Tite but has started all three group matches for the Selecao. Brazil only conceded one goal across their three matches, while Silva even netted a bullet header against Serbia on Wednesday night.

3. Casemiro (Brazil) - 7.56 rating

While by no means the best player in Brazil’s ranks, Casemiro is arguably one of the most important for Tite. The Real Madrid midfielder is tasked with carrying out all of the dirty work in midfield in order to let the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Neymar flourish in attack, illustrated by the fact the 26-year-has completed more tackles and interceptions combined in Group E (17). Casemiro is not your typical Brazilian footballer, but in order for the Selecao to go far in Russia then they will need him at his destructive best.

2. Philippe Coutinho (Brazil) - 7.89 rating

There were questions about where Philippe Coutinho would play for Brazil, but Tite has followed in the footsteps of Liverpool and Barcelona by playing him in midfield. The 26-year-old has made a stunning start to the 2018 World Cup, playing a direct hand in three goals in as many games (two goals, one assist), including a goal of the tournament contender. Coutinho has bailed Brazil out on two occasions this summer, but turned provider against Serbia on Wednesday with a delightful through ball to Barcelona team-mate Paulinho.

1. Neymar (Brazil) - 8.46 rating

Having missed more than three months of football prior to the 2018 World Cup, it’s understandable that Neymar isn’t quite at his best yet. The 26-year-old is still warming to the surface but the early impressions have been positive for Brazil. The world’s most expensive player has scored one and assisted one in Brazil’s first three games. Not only that, but no player at the tournament has created more goalscoring opportunities (11) and been fouled more often (17) than Brazil’s No.10. Furthermore, only Lionel Messi (20) has completed more dribbles than Neymar (17)