World Cup 2018: Top 5 finishers of the group stage

The 2018 FIFA World Cup produced over 110 goals during the group stage, becoming one of the most prolific editions of the competition at that level. The tournament witnessed a lot of amazing attacking teams who went head-to-head to produce interesting clashes, full of plenty goals and several magical moments.

The competition began with a goal-filled match as Russia hammered Saudi Arabia 5-0 to open it in style. Elsewhere, Spain and Portugal played out a classic, with their 3-3 draw dominating the headlines during the initial stages of the tournament.

Moreover, many incredible sharpshooters have also featured in Russia. These superstars have been tearing opposition defenses apart and setting the tournament ablaze with their incredible records in front of goal.

Although many players inscribed their names on the scorebook of the World Cup during the group stage, some managed to do that more efficiently than others. With many impressive attackers in Russia, we take a look at the top 5 finishers of the competition during the group stage:

#5. Denis Cherishev

Cherishev

has taken his game to another dimension in the World Cup

Villareal Superstar, Denis Cherishev has been a standout player ever since the World Cup began in Russia this month. In his homeland, the 27-year old has been feeling comfortable, putting up decent performances and steering the hosts towards glory.

Cherishev has been one of the most prolific scorers in the tournament during the group stage, bagging 3 goals in 3 matches. He has a decent conversion rate, finishing up to 43% of his total 7 shots in the competition.

The Russia International has been a real threat in the box, with 100% of his goals coming from there. After helping his nation to make it into the knockout stage of the tournament, the Villareal superstar will stand a great chance to fight for the World Cup Golden Shoe this year.

All stats via whoscored.com

#4. Diego Costa

The former Chelsea striker was outstanding during the group stage

The World Cup has witnessed a lot of incredible attackers who have seized the opportunity to announce their names on the big stage with their unbelievable records in front of goal. Atletico Madrid sharpshooter, Diego Costa is one of the few strikers that dominated the headlines during the group stage of the tournament.

With 3 goals in just 3 matches, Costa has put himself among the elite scorers in Russia. The Spain International has been scoring in every 80 minutes, converting up to 57% of his total 7 shots during the group stage of the competition.

The Atletico Madrid hitman has also been a real threat in one-on-one situations, with 2 of his goals coming from inside the box and only one coming from outside. Having helped Spain to reach the knockout phase, Costa has a great chance to prove himself in Russia this year.

All stats via whoscored.com

#3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has been a dominant figure in Russia

It seems Cristiano Ronaldo is on a mission in the World Cup this year, with his stellar performances at the initial stage of the tournament. It took the Portuguese just 4 minutes to net his first goal in Russia, beating David De Gea with a decent spot kick in Portugal's 3-3 draw against Spain during their opening fixture.

In that match, Ronaldo added 2 more goals and became the first player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup this term. The winger has been at an incredible level, single-handedly leading his nation to the knockout phase of the tournament.

So far, the 5-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 4 goals in the competition, with a decent goal ratio of 1.3 goal(s) per game. He has also been a big threat in every situation, with 2 of his goals coming from his right foot, one from his left and another one, a header.

All stats via whoscored.com

#2. Romelu Lukaku

The Manchester United striker has been scoring for fun

It is true that Belgium have a lot of decent players in their ranks, but Manchester United striker, Romelu Lukaku deserves some respect for his incredible performances in the World Cup this year.

The 25-year-old has been one of the finest finishers in the tournament, converting up to 80% of his total 5 shots during the group stage. So far, the attacker has scored 4 goals in just 3 appearances, averaging a goal in every 37 minutes and inscribing his name on the goalscoring chart.

With a lot of creative players like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco and Dries Mertens in the Belgian national team, Lukaku would surely be a great contender for the World Cup Golden Shoe in Russia this year.

All stats via whoscored.com

#1. Harry Kane

Kane means business in his debut World Cup appearance

Harry Kane recently stressed on his ambitions in the World Cup this year and it seems the striker is aiming to achieve something big in the tournament. It is just his first appearance on the prestigious stage, yet, Kane has dominated the headlines as if he had come for the tenth time.

The Tottenham Hotspur attacker currently sits on top of the goalscoring chart, with 5 goals to his name. He has been the most clinical finisher in the tournament, converting 100% of his total 5 shots as well as averaging a goal in every 31 minutes during the group stage.

After helping The Three Lions to make it into the knockout phase of the tournament, Kane will be looking forward to continuing with his impressive performances in Russia.

All stats via whoscored.com