Goalmouth scramble: Best matches so far

The Netherlands' Robin van Persie flies through the air while scoring against Spain. Photo / AP

The World Cup is one-eighth over - a crushing realisation - but what an eighth it has been. No draws, 28 goals, comebacks galore and plenty of talking points have peppered the first three days of the tournament. After Brazil's opening win and a weekend featuring seven games, Kris Shannon ranks the eight matches from most-awesome to slightly-less-awesome.

1. Netherlands 5 Spain 1

Obviously. When the defending world champions - a team that conceded twice in seven games during the 2010 event - are embarrassed in their opening match, it's a pretty good bet to rate highly. Robin van Persie's header alone, which will take some beating in the goal of the tournament stakes, made this the most beautiful game so far.

2. Costa Rica 3 Uruguay 1

In the biggest upset to date, Costa Rica overturned a 1-0 halftime deficit and completely ran ragged a team some were tipping as outside contenders for the title. Oscar Duarte putting his head where it hurts for the go-ahead goal was as brave as it was effective, while Joel Campbell's slide rule pass to seal the points also elicited a few oohs and aahs.

3. Brazil 3 Croatia 1

You could hardly ask for more from an opening match. The thought of that Brazilian anthem being belted out still brings shivers; the recollection of Fred's dive and Yuichi Nishimura's subsequent penalty decision still induces nausea. But the rest of the match made the last few weeks of interminable wait worthwhile, with two attacking teams having a real go at each other and setting the tone for what was to follow.

4. Italy 2 England 1

Another clash of European heavyweights that didn't disappoint, Italy's potentially pivotal win featured three outstanding goals and more attacking endeavour from England than seen in the entire 2010 World Cup. But the moment of the match might have belonged the Andrea Pirlo, as good as ever at 35, whose beguiling free kick made Joe Hart look foolish before thumping against the bar.

5. Ivory Coast 2 Japan 1

Without a powerhouse hogging the headlines, group C could prove the most curious of the tournament. The parity was illustrated in Ivory Coast's second half revival to overcome Keisuke Honda's thumping opener. Two diving headers in the space of two minutes did the trick - advantage to the Africans. This match also earns bonus points for introducing the world to whatever the hell this is:

6. Chile 3 Australia 1

What could have turned embarrassing for our neighbours instead became a gallant defeat that will likely be the highlight of their campaign. Jorge Valdivia's 14th-minute strike, putting Chile two to the good, might have produced a maniacal cackle of schadenfreude, but Australia almost earned the last laugh after Tim Cahill's header completely changed the game.

7. Mexico 1 Cameroon 0

The only match so far to feature fewer than three goals, but that was less to do with a lack of trying and more about an errant official. Giovani dos Santos had two legitimate goals ruled out by the same linesman's offside flag, leaving Mexico to rely on Oribe Peralta's second-half strike. Fair to say the Central Americans have already offered more going forward than the All Whites would have mustered.

8. Colombia 3 Greece 0

Sorry, Colombia. This ranking is more reflective of Greece - whose negative tactics produced the poorest performance of the tournament - than it is about you. Your fans? Wonderful. The best so far behind Brazil's. Your attack? Splendid. Quick and purposeful, fully deserving of three goals. And your celebrations? They set a new benchmark and introduced the first and second instances of co-ordinated dancing in this World Cup.