Based on the first of three rounds of group-stage games, it is fair to conclude that football fans have been treated to a variety of scrumptious dishes -- a platter that is expected from the Greatest Show on Earth.

41 goals in 16 matches, at an average of around 2.6, it was fitting that the best was saved for the last as Richarlison's postcard-esque strike against Serbia was enough of a glimpse to why Brazil were labelled as the leading candidate to clinch the Hexa.

Casemiro almost pulled off a scorcher from the distance and, had that gone in, it would have been one of the goal-of-the-week contenders alongside Richarlison's acrobatic goal and the winners struck by Saudi Arabia and Japan against Argentina and Germany, respectively.

From goals to goal-scorers, precisely the two greatest of all time playing what could most possibly be their last World Cups, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have opened their mark and for their sides, albeit through spot-kicks.

While Ronaldo created yet another world record -- this time becoming the first player to score in five World Cups -- Messi had broken a national record -- of scoring in four editions of the showpiece event. The two talismans are obviously past their prime, but they appear to still possess the Midas Touch to conjure match-decisive moments out of nowhere, ones that would forever be instilled in World Cup highlight-reel.

We are yet to see direct free-kick goals though, but it is a bit too much to expect all variety of strikes this early in the competition. Having said that, the free-kick specialists out there in Doha could still be far from fully adjusting to the Al-Rihla, the new-and-improved match-ball featuring for the first time in Qatar.

And great for entertainment value, it is interesting that 63 per cent of aforementioned goals have resulted in the second-half. More late comebacks had surfaced and there could have been one more on Thursday -- and the one that had all the potential to be the talking point of the week -- had Ghana's forward not slipped after intercepting the ball which Portugal goalie rolled out while being unaware of Inaki Williams lurking behind his back.

However, witnessing fewer first-half goals, one cannot blame teams for adopting a more cautious approach, banking on coaches' assessment during half-time tactical briefs and pep-talks, as players try to rediscover peak chemistry right after just days of being involved in demanding club football fixtures.

Looking ahead into the group-stage's second round of matches, it is almost a virtual knockout for former champions Germany and Argentina, even though a draw would keep them alive in the tournament. However, the Albiceleste would not want to qualify as runners-up from their group as it would likely place them in the Round of 16 against defending champions France, who have looked sharp in attack against Australia -- sharp enough to top their group and rip apart a defence that Argentines featured against the Saudis.

Disparity among teams is apparently dissolving with the Asians having impressed so far. The latest with Iran recovering from a 6-2 drubbing against England to beat Wales 2-0, a day after South Korea went neck-to-neck against a South American powerhouse in Uruguay and Japan, of course, with their shocking victory over four-time champions Germany. And from Africa, Ghana have impressed the most in their 3-2 thriller against Portugal as they broke the deadlock for the African nations in this World Cup.

A lot will be clear in the forthcoming week, in terms of predictive abilities, as the top guns look to impose their playing style and make life as less difficult as possible in the third and final round of the group.