And just like that, after waiting four years for this North America spectacular to roll around, we're already through one round of matches in what has flown by.

We've had a Lionel Messi hat-trick, a 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper that has taken social media by storm, ANOTHER 7-1 demolition by Germany at a World Cup, and both England and Scotland shrugged off some early nerves to make winning starts in their respective groups.

That just about scratches the surface of a thrilling first round of games that has delivered 75 goals and in choosing a Team of the Week, the options were, in some positions, truly agonising.

We did insist on one rule here: you can only pick one player per nation.

So, without further ado, introducing Daily Mail Sport's FIFA World Cup Team of Week One…

(4-3-3)

GOALKEEPER: Vozinha (Cape Verde)

The greatest story of the World Cup so far is, unquestionably, the tale of a 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper who produced the performance of his life to shut out tournament favourites Spain.

Vozinha, real name Josimar Dias, has captured the imagination of football fans across the world so much so that his Instagram account has gone from 20,000 followers pre match to 12 million and counting at the time of writing.

Seven saves straight out of the top drawer played an enormous role in Cape Verde securing a world famous point against this star-studded Spanish side and so popular is his story, the US government intervened afterwards to help ensure his mum could finally sort out her visa issues to watch her son's matches at the World Cup.

A performance that will be spoken about for generations to come.

RIGHT BACK: Ramin Rezaeian (Iran)

With everything that is going with Iran right now - including being exiled to Mexico due to restrictions on their US visas - it felt important to recognise the performance of right back Ramin Rezaeian against New Zealand.

His goal and assist was the difference between Iran heading to Mexico with one point versus none.

The Persian Gulf Pro League defender, becoming the first player to provide a goal and an assist in a single World Cup game for his nation, ensured football did the talking, rather than politics, for 90 minutes at least.

CENTRE BACK: Nikola Katic (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

It certainly was a team effort from Bosnia & Herzegovina to navigate their way through the Toronto Tornado that was Jesse Marsch's Canadian side, roared on by partisan home support just off Lake Ontario.

But Bosnia absolutely leave empty handed if it wasn't for the heroic defender of Nikola Katic who, across this first round of games, has an incredibly strong case for one of the most committed defensive displays by any player.

The 29-year-old made 16 clearances, produced two key blocks, and also cleared one of Canada's many efforts on goal off the line, when Promise David thought he'd scored with a header.

The World Cup has been illuminated by the attackers thus far, as is often the case, but Katic's display will have been appreciated immeasurably by the defenders' union.

CENTRE BACK: Mathias Olivera (Uruguay)

There was no chance any of Uruguay's attacking players would even force their way into discussions for this squad but Olivera caught the eye in their opening game against Saudi Arabia.

Ball-playing centre backs are going to open this tournament up as it progresses and low blocks disappear one by one - Pau Cubarsi also showed lots of promise in this department in his match against Cape Verde - and it was Olivera that touched the ball more than any other player versus Saudi Arabia.

He misplaced only four of his 103 pass attempts, created two chances from centre back, was defensively resolute and a dictator offensively from the rearguard.

Lots to like from the Napoli man that may not jump off the page for those who didn't watch.

LEFT BACK: Nathaniel Brown (Germany)

Pursued for months by Premier League clubs, on the display of the 23-year-old's World Cup debut, it was easy to see that he has all the attributes to be the absolute best full-back for the next decade.

Brown, who now looks bound for Bayern Munich, has boundless athleticism, is lethal from set-pieces - as he showed with his pinpoint corner to tee up Nico Schlotterbeck - and he's now off the mark in a Germany shirt after converting Denis Undav's flick to make it 5-1.

'On the pitch he's a monster,' team-mate Antonio Rudiger said of Brown.

He's not wrong. This may have been Curacao but Brown's potential looks sky high. There's nothing he can't do.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands)

Too many in orange for the Netherlands looked disjointed but once he found his groove, Ryan Gravenberch was certainly not one of them.

His pair of assists deserved more than the point they ended up having to settle with and this tournament feels set up for the Liverpool player to exert his influence in each match, not least given he's got significantly more freedom to be an attacking force than he was given by ex-Reds boss Arne Slot at Anfield.

Gravenberch's footwork on the edge of the box to glide from side to side with the grace of a ballerina before teeing up Crysencio Summerville was a real stand-out.

Still feels like he can elevate his game to another level if he cuts out some silly lapses in concentration out of his game.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Yasin Ayari (Sweden)

Two moments - and two goals - that were truly exceptional against a hapless Tunisia meant that Ayari was one of the first names in this World Cup XI.

Both goals scored from outside the box and both - particularly the second - will find themselves in firm contention for Goal of the Tournament when all is said and done.

The Brighton midfielder wasn't perfect in other areas of his game but this was, at 22, a display that showed flashes of his brilliance that will put the rest of the tournament - and the Premier League heading into next season - on notice.

Boundless amounts of potential and while he has lots to work on, he has one of the purest strikes from outside of the box, which is worth its weight in gold when games get tight.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Jude Bellingham (England)

By the time the final whistle blew in Dallas and England had beaten Croatia 4-2, it felt truly foolish that there was genuine debate in the build-up as to whether Jude Bellingham deserved to start for the Three Lions.

England, by the coaching staff's own admission, started 'complicated' and 'nervous' but game-changer Bellingham showed there are levels to this game and in the Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Tuchel is looking at a genuine world class talent at his disposal, which can't be said for everyone in England's squad.

The way he burst past his marker to bulldoze his way into the box, picking out the far corner to put England up 3-2, was special.

RIGHT WING: Lionel Messi (Argentina)

A magician who keeps finding new ways to hold off the grip of Father Time.

Lionel Messi knows better than most what its like to play in the United States after getting an extended trial in the lead up to this tournament in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.

But this was truly special against an Algeria team that are far from average, which is exactly what Messi made them look like.

He had one brilliant goal chalked off by a fractional offside and rather than be put of his stride, he kicked into another gear and showed us all just why he is the Greatest Player Of All Time.

Football's greatest phenomenon doing phenomenal things (again and again and again).

STRIKER: Kylian Mbappe (France)

Took a while to really put his stamp on the game against Senegal - but once he did, it was done with swagger, finesse and in a style that felt a privilege to watch.

There were five strikers who bagged a brace through one game but while Erling Haaland and Harry Kane benefitted from moments of real fortune, and Kai Havertz faced the weakest team on display so far in Curacao, Mbappe's moments of magic were a level above.

His second goal was a true stunner and he gets the nod after cementing himself as France's all-time leading goalscorer… at the age of 27.

LEFT WING: Elijah Just (New Zealand)

While there are others in this squad that need no introduction, Elijah Just's display against Iran stands as one of the most enjoyable breakout games from a player few outside of Scotland may have paid much attention to.

The Motherwell attacker, who is generating transfer interest from Celtic and Rangers, linked up superbly with Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood in Los Angeles and Just's two goals, both teed up by Wood, was as good a double act as any you could find through the first round of matches.

His first was brilliant technique on the half volley and his second converted a brilliant breakaway move.

With Egypt next up, and then a final group game against a Belgium side no longer at the peak of its powers, Just has the potential to be this tournament's true breakout star.

And the honourable mentions...

Patrick Beach (Australia), Wilfried Singo (Ivory Coast), In-Beom Hwang (South Korea), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco), Luis Diaz (Colombia), Folarin Balogun (USA)

Whittling this down to a starting XI that actually made sense - not some whack formation to get eight attackers in - meant some near misses.

Folarin Balogun can count himself particularly unlucky as USMNT were sublime against Paraguay and some of his movement was as good as anything we would see later from Mbappe, Messi and Co.

Elsewhere, Beach's display in goal against Turkey was phenomenal, no better word for it, and In-Beom Hwang was the biggest reason why South Korea started their campaign with a win, not a defeat, against Czechia.

And here's what the number crunchers have had to say...

Sofascore's team of the opening round of matches.

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