There has been little under a week of World Cup action, but already Matchday 1 has produced enough sparks to leave Russia ablaze.
We have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly (step forward David de Gea) and it is time to put the 32 nations into one rankings list.
There are those that have been dreadful (The Embarrassments), teams that have failed to impress (The Underwhelming), those who have been average (The Middling), and nations red-hot in their opening game (The Superiors).
It has been a cracking start to the World Cup, and here is how I think the teams rank, aside from their actual standings in respective groups.
The Embarrassments
32. Saudi Arabia
Dear, oh dear.
The spotlight was firmly on Saudi Arabia when they set out to humiliate hosts Russia in the tournament opener.
It was the western Asians’ chance to show why they launched themselves to the World Cup for the first time since 2006, but instead it was a mortifying afternoon.
In a game that displayed every reason Saudi Arabia look as good as out this early on, Russia dismantled them in brutal fashion. And the host nation weren’t even at their best.
Frantic defending, zero cutting edge and being wasteful on the ball were all too characteristic of the Saudis, and with Uruguay the next opponents on the horizon you have to be concerned for them.
They are deservedly at the bottom of the barrel, made worse by the fact 30 teams played after them and still couldn’t outdo their opening game disaster.
31. Nigeria
What happened to Nigeria?
All the hype about their beautiful kit, a decent performance against England in a recent friendly and they conjure up a terrible exhibition in their opener.
Not once did they look like threatening a Croatia side that won’t face a more straightforward task for the remainder of the tournament.
A wealth of current and former Premier League talent, including Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses and Odion Ighalo, were all anonymous on a bizarre evening for the Africans.
Buoyant supporters kept things vibrant in the stands, but on the pitch it was a completely different story.
The Super Eagles plummeted in a lazy, lethargic and lacklustre display. It leaves them desperate for points against Iceland, who you will find much further up the rankings than the strangely sluggish Nigerians.
30. Germany
Not the way Germany would have wanted to start their World Cup title defence.
Losing to Mexico in astounding fashion, Joachim Low’s men often looked tired and mundane.
Germany even lacked their distinct crisp passing and had very little attacking intent.
It was a jaded display from Die Mannschaft, however take nothing away from Mexico who were truly special.
The world champions have serious work to do in order to reassert themselves, and the brutal nature of the World Cup means they have scant time to do so. Sweden are coming next, and very soon.
29. Colombia
South Americans Colombia, in many ways the breakout stars of 2014, have got off to the worst possible start in Russia.
Up against a Japan side they thrashed 4-1 at the last tournament, the Colombians were poor on this occasion.
They were the orchestrators of their own downfall early on – Carlos Sanchez dismissed inside three minutes for a handball – and despite equalising they couldn’t hold out for a point.
28. South Korea
This is South Korea’s ninth successive World Cup, and already they face an uphill task to get out of the group.
A mundane display against Sweden, who were well-organised and efficient, didn’t stake their claim to be a knockout round side.
Star man Heung-min Son was largely anonymous and is yet to stamp his authority in Russia.
With two tests versus sprightly Mexico and world champions Germany, the Koreans look unlikely to progress any further.
27. Poland
Another nation with hype surrounding them before the tournament, especially with it being Robert Lewandowski’s maiden World Cup, Poland became the latest to fall on the big stage.
Up against a well-drilled Senegal the Europeans struggled, and not until the last five minutes did they show any sort of urgency or attacking prowess.
Their defence was lost without injured Kamil Glik. A deflection for the first goal was followed by a complete mess for the second, summing their performance up.
In what now looks an even more open Group H after Matchweek 1 Poland need to make severe adjustments.
26. Morocco
I expected a lot more from Morocco who, under Herve Renard, had some people pondering over whether they could challenge anticipated Iberian dominance in Group B.
Not anymore, it seems.
With both Spain and Portugal to face before the end of the group stages, the north Africans have to hope for a small miracle to overturn a crushing loss to Iran.
A stinging Hakim Ziyech strike was as much penetration as Morocco managed against the Asians, and even with Medhi Benatia in their defence they rarely looked the solid outfit of their qualifying campaign.
Disappointing.