2022 World Cup midfielder power rankings: Matchday 2

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Whether it be by protecting their defence, supplying their attack, or a bit of both, some midfielders are really making their mark in Qatar.

Here are 90min’s top performing midfielders from the first two rounds of the 2022 World Cup.


Mateo KovacicMateo Kovacic

Kovacic ran the show against Canada / Claudio Villa/GettyImages

After a quiet opening match against Morocco, Kovacic was at his very best against Canada, completely dominating the midfield.


Sofyan AmrabatSofyan Amrabat

The Moroccan midfielder has impressed / James Williamson – AMA/GettyImages

Amrabat has come up against star-studded midfields in his first two matches and has more than held his own against both Croatia and Belgium, being the stand-out player in the middle of the park in both games.


Jude BellinghamJude Bellingham

Bellingham struggled to make his mark against USA / Simon M Bruty/GettyImages

Bellingham was glorious in England’s opening match but couldn’t do much in their second, unable to make his mark on the 0-0 draw with the US.


William Carvalho, Giorgian De ArrascaetaWilliam Carvalho, Giorgian De Arrascaeta

Carvalho has shored things up / Jean Catuffe/GettyImages

Carvalho did well off the bench against Ghana and impressed from the start against Uruguay, providing a platform for his more creative midfield partners to flourish.


PedriPedri

He’s living up to the hype / Richard Heathcote/GettyImages

Pedri followed up a stunning performance against Costa Rica with a solid, if somewhat unspectacular, one against Germany.


Antoine GriezmannAntoine Griezmann

Back to his best? / Stu Forster/GettyImages

Griezmann has thrived in midfield for France thus far, getting one assist and creating countless chances.


Adrien RabiotAdrien Rabiot

Rabiot is looking the complete midfielder / Stu Forster/GettyImages

Rabiot was excellent going forward against Australia, getting a goal and an assist, and displayed his defensive abilities against Denmark, protecting his backline well.


Leon Goretzka, GaviLeon Goretzka, Gavi

Gavi can do the dirty work / Clive Brunskill/GettyImages

After dazzling against Costa Rica, Gavi showed another side of his game against Germany, holding his own in a physical midfield battle.


Bruno FernandesBruno Fernandes

Portugal’s Creator in Chief / Anadolu Agency/GettyImages

We’ll let the numbers do the talking here: two matches, two goals, two assists. Enough said.


CasemiroCasemiro

Is there anything he can’t do? / Clive Brunskill/GettyImages

We all know Casemiro is a top defensive midfielder, but he’s impressing at the other end too in Qatar, getting a great goal and creating a number of chances.