Group B round-up: Where Ronaldo ranks among highest rated players
After an incredibly dramatic finish to proceedings in Group B, the table eventually went to the form book, though not without a scare for both Spain and Portugal. Iran were the surprise package and even had a last minute chance to top the table, while Morocco were unfortunate to bow out with just a single point.
After a number of great games and equally impressive individual displays, the top five performers in Group B were as follows…
5. Nordin Amrabat (Morocco) - 7.06 rating
The highest rated player from Group B that has crashed out of the tournament, Amrabat had an eventful three matches to say the least. Having suffered a concerning concussion in the opening game with Iran the winger was somewhat controversially included in the lineup against Portugal within a week and went onto impress in a more traditional wide role having started the first game at right-back. The Watford man completed an impressive 12 dribbles and came agonisingly close to scoring what would have been one of the goals of the tournament against Spain.
4. Pepe (Portugal) - 7.10 rating
As ever, we saw the best and worst of Pepe in the group stages, with some embarrassing histrionics against Morocco before playing a starring role in the crucial game with Iran. The centre-back earned a WhoScored.com man of the match rating (7.77) against the latter and was strong in the air, winning 13 aerial duels and having the presence of mind to dribble out from the back on four occasions over his three appearances.
3. Diego Costa (Spain) - 7.28 rating
Back to his bullish best in the huge opener against Portugal, scoring twice and generally giving the opposition defence a torrid time, Costa faded as the group stages wore on. He was on hand to net the winner in the second match against Iran but a no-show in stalemate with Morocco will have been a concern to Fernando Hierro ahead of the knockout phase, with hosts Russia up next for La Roja.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - 8.13 rating
Not unlike Costa, Ronaldo started the tournament with a bang, netting a hat-trick against Iberian rivals Spain in a display that still boasts the highest WhoScored.com match rating of the tournament (9.83). He too scored the only goal of his side’s second game with a fantastic header against Morocco but was otherwise kept under wraps and would see a penalty saved in the final match with Iran, preventing him from jumping back to the top of the scoring charts alongside Harry Kane.
1. Isco (Spain) - 8.22 rating
Having been the real star for this Spain side in the build up to the tournament, Isco hasn’t disappointed at the finals either, pulling the strings in the final third and finally getting his goal against Morocco. The playmaker came close to a truly stunning goal in the opening match with Portugal and led the way in Group B for key passes (seven) and dribbles (14), whilst completing 92.9% of 297 passes in three appearances.
