The 2014 FIFA World Cup so far has been, apart from a couple of matches, a goal-fest like we’ve not seen before.

For the large part, the top players have been influential, and the top teams are in form early… except for those 2010 World Champions.

Australian fans should be confident in their team of youngsters and Ange Postecoglou, and we should aim high in 2018.

Below is an account of the World Cup teams performances so far. Scoring is based, not only on performance, but where these teams were expected to be at this very early point.

Algeria – 5/10
Despite winning five of their six group matches in qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Algeria are looking out of their depth. They were performing solifly against Belgium and were 1-0 up before they conceded two goals.

Sofiane Feghouli will be heavily relied on to get something from their remaining matches against the Korea Republic and Russia.

My Tip: Bottom of what is a tricky group.

Cameroon – 2/10
Not much was expected from Cameroon but a 1-0 loss to Mexico was a hard pill to swallow for a team that surrounded by controversy before the Cup even began.

Although looking good in patches, Cameroon is too reliant on the likes of Song, Eto, and Assou-Ekotto. Getting belted by Croatia this morning didn’t help their cause.

My Tip: Brazil may make up for lost time against Mexico and have a goal party against the unenthused Cameroon. The team should refuse to get on the plane to get back home…

Cote d’Ivoire – 7/10

Droggbbaaa! They rely too heavily on that guy. The once Chelsea superstar is looked upon by fans and fellow players as a legend. So much so, they scored two much needed goals when he came on against Japan.

Group C is wide open, and I think the Elephants are in prime position to go through, possibly on top with a win against Colombia.

My Tip: second in the group and will be out the following round 

Ghana – 4/10
After knocking the USA out of the last two World Cups I fancied the Ghanaians to get a point or three against the Yanks.

Alas, it was not to be, and they made it especially difficult by conceding after just thirty seconds. Michael Essien is a shadow of the midfielder he was when commanding teams at Chelsea and Real Madrid and it showed.

Gyan and Asamoah will need to provide more in order to help the team, and Sulley Muntari is required to assert himself in the midfield role he plays so well for AC Milan.

My Tip: Loss to USA is hard to take, and with Portugal and Germany to go, it looks bleak for Ghana. Bottom of the group.

Nigeria – 5/10
Despite a 0-0 draw with Iran, Nigeria just doesn’t have enough players of the quality and class of John obi Mikel and Victor Moses and this costs them dearly. Ameobi might provide some flare, but I can’t see it helping them progress.

My Tip: Won’t progress and have some work to do in future if they plan on doing so.

Australia – 7/10
Not a bad World Cup with not a lot of hope. There. I said it.

Again the Socceroos are too reliant on the old guard of Cahill and Mark Bresciano for goals, but the performances of Oar, Franjic and Leckie are very promising for the future. Should take a lot of positives from the Dutch game and throw everything at the mess that is España.

My Tip: The future looks promising, but the 2014 World Cup has come a little too early.

Iran – 6/10

Got a solid point from Nigeria in what was the most boring World Cup match since 1930. It’s like exercising in the rain; you don’t really have much enthusiasm so you just plod along.

Despite picking up a point, Argentina will show no mercy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will pack on the goals wanting to progress further.

My Tip: Third in the group. Will be back next time.

Japan – 5/10
A hard group given the hard working nature of Colombia and Cote d’Ivoire. After their loss to the latter, their fans erupted… erm, sorry, they actually cleaned their section of the stadium as they left the ground.

Event organisers will want them to go deep into the tournament for this factor alone. Unfortunately, like their neighbours Korea Republic, the Japanese have relied too heavily on their abundance of pace, and teams have figured this out. Should beat Greece, but will lose to Colombia.

My Tip: A great team to watch, but sadly will go out in the group stages.

Korea Republic – 6/10
A lucky goal was enough for them to get a point against Russia, but not a lot suggested they would score otherwise. A solid team, that relies too heavily on pace, and not enough on maintaining possession to unlock opponent defences. Will be close to go through, but will need to score a few goals to confirm.

My Tip: third behind Belgium and Russia respectively.

Belgium – 7/10

The dark horse. Took a while to get going, but hey, so did Argentina. A young team who are finding their way, and to come from a goal down to win is a great sign.

I penned an article last week about them winning the Cup, and although their display isn’t as convincing as it should have been, they will get to their feet and do well.

My Tip: Through Group H as number one, and according to my tips, may face USA.

Bosnia and Herzegovina – 7/10
Unlucky to be on the end of the Argentine juggernaut that finally got going. I still think they will progress past the group stages in their first ever World cup.

I expect Dzeko to get going and start breaking some nets with his ferocious scoring ability. Don’t discount Lulic, Hajrovic and Game 1 goal scorer Ibisevic to give him a helping hand.

My Tip: Second in group… hmm…They might progress further. Dzeko is the key.

Croatia – 7/10
A solid performance in their opener against hosts Brazil was sadly not enough to get a point(s) on the board.

Another strong showing against Cameroon has opened the door to a qualifying spot playoff with Mexico – mouth-watering.

With players like Ivica Olic (second oldest playing in the squad behind keeper Stipe Pletikosa) and Corluka still offering overwhelimg experience to the talents of Modric and Mandzukic, Crotia still have plenty of fight left.

My Tip: Unfortunately Mexico have their heads up after a solid performance against the hosts. Croatia got the big win over Cameroon they needed but a winning performance against Mexico is a harder task. I still think third is where Croatia will finish.

England – 7/10

Despite a 2-1 loss to Italy in their first game, a lot of positives came from it. The likes of Stirling, Sturridge and Baines seem to have this international gig under control and with some more match fitness it could all come together in the next stage. Give Lallana the #10 spot instead of Rooney and watch him grow.

My Tip: Second in the group, will go deep and Wilshere to make at least two passes to advantage if he feels like it.

France – 8/10
I know it was only Honduras but Karim Benzema is on fire, and expect it to keep burning.

Word is out he’s looking for another club and watch better way to shout “Hey guys, I score goals” than at the World Cup Finals. Put that with the quality like Giroud (he will start), Pogba and Cabaye and France are a real force through the middle.

My Tip: What Ribery? France is looking fine without the Bayern Munich maestro. Should easily account for the Swiss and Ecuador to go through on top.

Germany – 10/10
Ze Germans are always a brute force. And they dismantled CR7 and friends with ease; so much so, it really could’ve been six or seven goals in back of the old onion bag.

Countries would have the players on the German bench for their first teams, so their options are fulfilled with talent. With Bastian Schweinsteiger to come back into the starting XI, it’s a touch gig to find a spot – but I have a feeling Muller will retain his gig. Germany will easily account for the USA and Ghana – maybe with more than four goals.

My Tip: Far far far into the tournament.

Greece – 5/10
Not a great start, getting humbled by Colombia 3-0 in their opening game. Unfortunately it doesn’t get a lot easier with Greece still yet to face Japan and Cote d’Ivoire – both solid opponents. Samaras seems to turn back the clock when on international duty but it is not enough to get them through.

My Tip: On the early flight back after the group stages are done.

Italy – 7.8/10
Will be happy with a win against England, and more so with the performance of Super Mario who made it onto the score sheet.

Alternatively, the loss of Buffon in goals should not be underestimated – for however long he is out. Uruguay will be a big test for the Italians, with pace not high on their attribute list.

My Tip: Top of the group – far into finals.

Netherlands – 9/10
What can you say> The Dutch demolished the reigning champions with goals of pure brilliance. Early call, but I cannot see RVP’s header being bettered for skill, finesse or style, even by Cahill’s belter this morning.

Robben, RVP, Sneijder and co. might be a little too classy for Chile, but they will need to tighten up if they want to win all three group games.

My Tip: I expect a top of the group finish and the orange to be seen deep into the competition.

Portugal – 2/10
*Shake of head* What happens when a team of champions is not a champion team?

It was evident that if CR7 wasn’t going to break through the others weren’t either. The post-traumatic stress felt after their 4-0 drubbing will last the entire tournament, thankfully it will only be another two games.

I do feel for Ronaldo. So prolific in club land, yet the “assistance” he receives for the national side is so poor.

My Tip: Will finish third with a win over Ghana, and will lose to USA.

Russia – 6/10
A frustrating draw to Korea Republic was made to look so much worse given the absolute howler from keeper Igor Akinfeev.

The Russian “shot stopper” was more of a speed hump given that he didn’t stop the ball so much as just slow it down. Despite the draw, the Russians should beat Algeria and draw with Belgium and will be relying on goal difference against the Koreans to go through.

My Tip: Sitting on the fence. Will come down to GD between Korea Republic… Ok, Russians through!

Spain – 1/10
A generous score of one given they couldn’t hit water if they jumped out of boat at this World Cup. Spain looked like training cones against the Dutch and concrete statues against Chile.

I would have thought Vicente del Bosque’s “chargers” would been keen to take all their frustration, anger and self-pity out on Chile, but they didn’t do a thing. Confidence at all-time low and Australian fans will be hoping it stays that way.

My Tip: Doesn’t really matter as they’re gonski. Chelsea fans will be happy Cesc gets a full pre-season.

Switzerland – 7/10
A good performance saw them take all three points with a 2-1 win over Ecuador. With options off the bench (both goal scorers in Game 1 came from the pine), the Swiss have a few options in back up.

My Tip: Will progress from the group but won’t get much further. I’d expect Djourou and Drmic to lift in their final two games.

Costa Rica – 8/10
A brilliant come-from-behind win first up against Uruguay (three goals for if you don’t mind) has put them in a great position.

However, complacency is not to be had with games against Italy and England coming up, the Costa Ricans have their work cut out.

Joel Campbell is in hot form but I don’t think it will bring any joy to them progressing. A couple of losses, coming up #sadface.

My Tip: Third in the group missing out by a win or more cruelly on goal difference.

Honduras 5/10 –Wilson Palacios plied his trade at Stoke City, thus should know better than the behaviour displayed in getting a red card against France.

The fact the game was quite competitive up until that point should eat him up until 2018 (if he makes it). Unfortunately Ecuador and Switzerland will both take points from them in the final two matches.

My Tip: Bottom of the group… anyone surprised?

Mexico – 8/10
A solid draw against Brazil – thanks mostly to goalkeeping heroics of Guillermo Ochoa, has kept Mexico in a great position to progress past the group stages.

The match against Croatia is a must win, and they will need all players up and ready instead of relying on Giovanni Dos Santos and Marquez to get them out of trouble.

My tip: Javier Hernandez to be a super sub and score two goals to put them second in the group.

USA – 7/10
Did what they needed to do. But will need to go to another level to beat the desolate Portugal.

Tim Howard is showing why he is still the number one keeper for the US of A and Dempsey is just ‘havin a laugh’ bring back his youthful goal scoring skills.

With Juergen Klinsmann at the helm the USA are in a good position to get past the group stages. A loss to Germany will not affect them in doing so.

My Tip: Second in group. Might go a bit further.

Argentina – 8.5/10
Yep. They looked good. Took a while to get going, but once the engine was hot they were always going to be hard to stop.

A glimpse of Barcelona form by Messi for his country was the fire starter of their World Cup campaign. Iran, Nigeria and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be no match for the white and blue… and a little bit of yellow in 2014.

My Tip: Messi finally scored. Could make the final. Said it!

Brazil – 7/10
An explosive start against what was expected to be a formidable opponent in Croatia, Brazil was on the board early thanks to Neymar and Oscar, who is becoming quite a handful for opponents to control with his free flowing passing and ability to score on the counter attack.

A very disappointing nil-all draw with Mexico would’ve had the locals joga bonito-ing home with no real inspiration. A win over Cameroon should be enough to ensure top place in the group.

My Tip: Will go through on top with David Luiz scoring a sublime goal in a 4-0 win over Cameron (Sorry Mr Eto)

Chile – 9/10
A solid win against a stubborn Australian outfit. The fast paced South Americans showed why they are many fans dark horse for the competition.

A great display from goal scorers Alexis Sanchez and Valdivia has sent a warning shot through Group B and with Spain’s confidence at a four year low, Chile did themselves a favour belting them all over the park for a 2-0 win.

My Tip: The win against Spain will put Chile at full throttle against The Netherlands. Their pace, skills and determination could be on show past the last 16. “en Chile!”

Colombia – 8/10
Fantastic performance against 2004 European Champions Greece resulted in a solid three goals and a clean sheet – all important in Group C.

A showdown with Cote d’Ivoire could decide who goes through on top. A final game against Japan will be difficult, but given to form of Sanchez, James and Teo a draw should see them through.

My Tip: Top of the group with a win against the Elephants and a 2-2 draw against Japan.

Ecuador – 5/10 – A disappointing result in Game 1 against the Swiss, given the time of which the winning goal was scored.

Captain Antonio Valencia will be expected more of the talent that took him to Manchester United, but he will need help. Ayovi had a good game, and Rojas will need to make his time count if he is to come off the bench again.

My Tip: Third in the group. Will qualify for the next one.

Uruguay – 5/10
Uh-oh. Needed to win against Costa Rica and were 1-0 up… but then, they conceded three goals in the second half and it all fell apart.

A team highly fancied pre-tournament will now finish bottom of a group the wanted to go top of. Italy will have too much class – especially if Buffon makes his return and England just dislike Luis Suarez too much to let him back in the country if they beat them.

My Tip: A real shame, but Suarez will be left with too much to do and too many to carry for them to progress. Cavani will need to have a couple of blinders to make me look stupid.