Top 5 European goal-scorers in 2018 World Cup qualifiers

With just a couple of fixtures remaining for each team in their bid to qualify for next year's World Cup in Russia, the European qualifiers are heating up, with many teams still fighting for a place in the world football's biggest showpiece event.

Belgium aside from Russia as hosts is the only European team to have confirmed their spot in next year's tournament. Brazil has maintained their record of qualifying for every World Cup, with Asian countries such as Iran, Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia also joining the five-time South American world champions to compete for the 2018 World Cup.

Big European teams have enjoyed fruitful outings against the smaller nations with a number of goals being scored in the process.

However, this qualifying campaign has also seen its fair share of upsets as well with some spellbinding goals and performances from teams across Europe.

Here we take a look at the top five European goal scorers in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

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#5 Andre Silva

Andre Silva in action

Portuguese and AC Milan striker, Andre Silva has slotted into the national team's starting eleven seamlessly following the country's triumph at Euro 2016. Silva has guaranteed his position with some brilliant team performances as well as individual displays making him manager Fernando Santos first-choice striker to partner captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

Silva has scored 7 goals and in Portugal's run of eight games and like Ronaldo, has scored in every one of Portugal's qualifiers except the opener against Switzerland. Portugal will face Switzerland at home in their final game which could decide top spot, but Silva and co will travel to Andorra to keep the pressure on Switzerland.

#4 Stevan Jovetic

Montenegro will be looking up to captain Jovetic

Montenegrian captain and striker, Stevan Jovetic has led his team and the forward line very well for his country, as the Monaco striker has scored 7 goals in qualifying thus far. With a crunch home match against Denmark coming up, Jovetic will be eager to put on a good outing and guide his country closer to a World Cup spot.

Montenegro sit in the second spot tied on points with the Danes but ahead on goal difference. A win against the Danes at home, like they did away in Denmark early in the earlier stages of qualifying, will confirm their progress to the playoff stages, knocking out the Danes in the process.

A victory over Poland in their final qualifier could seal automatic qualification provided Poland drop points against Armenia.

#3 Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku key for Belgium

Manchester United striker and Belgian talisman Romelu Lukaku has inspired his country with 10 goals in 8 games, nearly cementing Belgium's participation in Russia's World Cup next year. Lukaku and Belgium have been unstoppable, coasting through their qualification campaign undefeated, signalling their intent as a contender for the World Cup crown.

24-year-old Lukaku has been in sizzling hot form for United scoring in every game thus far. If he can continue and carry this early season form to next year's tournament, Belgium with Lukaku will be very hard to stop.

With Lukaku, Belgium boast a strong squad of capable international players who can win matches at the highest level, although the player might not feature in the upcoming qualifier due to a niggling ankle injury.

#2 Robert Lewandowski

Captain fantastic

Bayern Munich talisman and Polish captain, Robert Lewandowski has been leading from the front with 12 goals in 8 games for his country, who sit top of Group E, three points clear of Montenegro and Denmark.

In what's an exciting, tight group, Poland could confirm their berth in next year's World Cup needing just four points in their next two games against Armenia and Montenegro.

Denmark who sit third, tied on points with Montenegro, are still in with a shout as well, with Montenegro up next for the Danes before they end with a game against Romania. Poland are in pole position to qualify automatically, Lewandowski will be keen to confirm his involvement in what will be his first World Cup appearance.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal will depend on Ronaldo

Multiple time Ballon d'Or winner and Real Madrid talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo has been in sublime form for Portugal in the 2018 World

Cup Qualifiers notching an incredible 14 goals in just 8 games. Out of the 8 matches played, Portugal have lost just one match to Switzerland 2-0. Ronaldo has scored 14 goals effectively in 7 outings for Portugal as he looks to take part in his fourth World Cup.

Portugal sits in second place in Group B and is confirmed to through to the playoffs stage if they fail to gain automatic promotion.

Table toppers and unbeaten team Switzerland will take on Portugal in the final qualifier on 10th Oct, in Portugal, in a game that will determine who tops the group and which team plays the dreaded playoff tie.