Ranking the best matches of the 2018 World Cup so far

Sixty down, four to go.

As the 2018 World Cup approaches its final week with an enthralling pair of last-four clashes, a third-place match, and next Sunday's finale on the slate, it's worth looking back at one of the more entertaining installments of the quadrennial showcase.

Here's a ranking of the 10 best matches to date:

10) Germany 0-1 Mexico

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Die Mannschaft took an enormous first step towards continuing the trend of dire defenses of the World Cup trophy with a Group F opening defeat to Mexico. Hirving Lozano's goal on the counter was the difference as El Tri revealed the blueprint for beating a flat-footed Germany. It didn't hurt that Guillermo Ochoa stopped all nine of the 2014 winner's attempts on target.

9) Japan 2-2 Senegal

Moussa Wague etched his name in the record books as the youngest African to score at a World Cup when he and fellow full-back Youssouf Sabaly combined to give Senegal a 2-1 advantage. But Keisuke Honda became the first Japanese player to score in three World Cups, and the Lions of Teranga soon learned that throwing away multiple leads in the group stage does not bode well for progression.

8) South Korea 2-0 Germany

Mexico dug the grave, and South Korea happily gave Jogi Low's lifeless charges the ultimate boot with a pair of injury-time goals in a stunning late flurry. The Taeguk Warriors - many of whom celebrated after the match believing they'd progressed - put forth an effort for the ages despite failing to get out of the group for the second time on the spin.

7) Serbia 1-2 Switzerland

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Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka both scored peaches before throwing up the eagles to draw the ire of Serbia supporters in a clash that promised caginess only to reveal an attack-happy second stanza. The Balkans knew a victory would book a knockout berth, but Mladen Krstajic's lot crumbled in Kaliningrad before getting bounced by Brazil.

6) Russia 2-2 Croatia

As compelling as a defensive fixture with long balls aplenty could be, Russia's unforeseen march into the knockout phase nearly lived to see another day after adopted son Mario Fernandes' 115th-minute header knotted the scoreline at 2-2. However, Croatia cemented a semi-final return following a 20-year hiatus when Ivan Rakitic bagged the final penalty in front of a one-sided crowd in Sochi.

5) Spain 2-2 Morocco

Related: As it happened - A timeline of the wild events in Group B

Morocco had no chance of progressing, though that didn't stop the Atlas Lions from putting forth an attacking performance that nearly cost Spain a spot in the last 16. In the end, Iago Aspas' 91st-minute backheel handed La Furia Rosa a knockout spot while Iran and Portugal simultaneously fought to a dramatic draw in Saransk that nearly saw Team Melli top the group.

4) Belgium 2-1 Brazil

An own goal and Kevin De Bruyne's sumptuous strike guided Belgium to a scintillating victory over tournament favourite Brazil and booked a semi-final berth for the second time in Red Devils history. Thibaut Courtois was stellar between the posts, stopping eight of Brazil's nine efforts on target.

3) France 4-3 Argentina

As one superstar bid adieu to the World Cup, a young talent on the verge of stardom made his case to be named the tournament's standout performer as Kylian Mbappe's four-minute second-half brace sent Lionel Messi and Co. packing amid a thrilling seven-goal display. Earlier in the half, Benjamin Pavard's stunner was not just one of the World Cup's best goals, but it also erased Argentina's 2-1 lead.

2) Portugal 3-3 Spain

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A day after Russia demolished Saudi Arabia to open the World Cup, Iberian foes Portugal and Spain set the table for an exciting tournament with a six-goal thriller in Sochi. Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a treble, including an 88th-minute free-kick equaliser that nullified Diego Costa's brace and Nacho's brilliant volley. What a match.

1) Belgium 3-2 Japan

After narrowly edging Senegal to a last-16 spot thanks to FIFA's Fair Play tiebreaker, a Japan side with zero expectations followed up a scoreless first half with two goals in four minutes after the break. However, Belgium levelled with a pair in five minutes and Nacer Chadli was the unlikely hero with a 94th-minute winner that capped off an astonishing counter-attack and made a genius out of Roberto Martinez. This was truly a tale of two halves.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)