'I saw in less than 10 minutes that Tevez can be a star for the next 10 years'

From the awesome Argentinians to the skilful Spanish, from displays of Brazilian brilliance to instances of English impudence, The Independent's team of experts pick their highlights from a dazzling first fortnight in Germany

BEST PLAYER: Juan Roman Riquelme

I was at Argentina's game against Serbia & Montenegro last Friday and Riquelme showed the quality that could mean he will be the star of the tournament. Ronaldinho is the world's best player but Riquelme is the heart-beat of this Argentinian team and will come out of this World Cup with his status enhanced.

I had only seen him on television before. He looks like someone who has trained with the squad and thinks he is the best there. He plays with the assurance that such a belief gives him. Occasionally a player gets to that level, and Riquelme certainly has. He's got that confidence in his ability and plays in that wonderful free role behind the strikers. He looks like Zinedine Zidane in his heyday.

BEST NEWCOMER: Carlos Tevez

In Gelsenkirchen I saw in less than 10 minutes that Tevez can be a star for the next 10 years. He will be a top, top player and he has real quality. We might not see that much of him at this World Cup, and he came on as a substitute in the game I saw, but his time will come soon enough.

Tevez has an assurance about his ability. That's evident. He's got good agility and looks like a striker who has every tool that you need. He's a decent size too. He's more explosive than Lionel Messi and likes to run at you and attack you. He's really a Maradona-type player.

He has more goals in him than Messi and works higher up the pitch. Messi, who is a brilliant player, will eventually evolve into a playmaker, I think. He'll pull the strings more, have a bit more control. Tevez will always be at the sharp end and I like that.

BEST PIECE OF SKILL: Joe Cole's volley against Sweden

It has to be right up there. The way he took the ball on and the execution of the goal was brilliant. Other than that there have been about 56 things that Ronaldinho has done. He really is the trick-master.

Peter Taylor

BEST PLAYER: Juan Roman Riquelme

BEST NEWCOMER: Lionel Messi

BEST PIECE OF SKILL: Joe Cole's chest down and volley for his goal

Craig Brown

BEST PLAYER: Dado Prso

As strong a game against Brazil as I've seen. I believe it was a clever tactical move when he did not play as the main-line striker and played wide left, exploiting the space behind the advancing Cafu. He is not naturally left-footed but he enjoyed great success in that role. There are question marks in Scotland about his scoring ratio, but his attitude, application and effort against the Brazilians were superb. This in a Croatian team which does not have an abundance of talent.

BEST NEWCOMER: Lionel Messi

He could finally be the one to live up to the "new Maradona" tag. Despite his small build he has pace and control and he is a goalscorer. He is a flair player who always looks eager for the ball and is not going to run out the clock when in possession. He may not be starting, but when he comes on you sit up and take notice.

BEST PIECE OF SKILL: Joe Cole's brilliant, deliberate strike against Sweden

Even if Andreas Isaksson went for it with his wrong hand, Cole's finish involved every piece of skill you could wish to see. To spot the goalkeeper off his line is one thing, but to be able to execute the chipped finish is another. The way he struck across the ball to get the dip over the goalkeeper was first class.

Gerry Francis

BEST PLAYER: Juan Roman Riquelme

The main man in the best team.

BEST NEWCOMER: Fernando Torres

He's got desire and application as well as talent.

BEST PIECE OF SKILL: Two: Joe Cole's goal and Argentina's second against Serbia & Montenegro, especially Hernan Crespo's back-heel

There isn't much that gets me out of my seat after all the games I've seen but that did. With all that passing, movement and skill it was like watching the Brazilians of the '70s

Sam Wallace

BEST PLAYER: Michael Ballack

He may have missed the first match, against Costa Rica, but of the biggest names at the World Cup he seems to be living up to his reputation - not to mention the pressure from the German nation - as well as anyone.

BEST NEWCOMER: Aaron Lennon

Ghana's Asamoah Gyan and Lionel Messi of Argentina have impressed, but Lennon really caught the imagination coming on as a substitute on a dire afternoon against Trinidad & Tobago.

BEST PIECE OF SKILL: Carlos Tevez's drag-back against the Netherlands

Suggests that this striker will be a handful in the later rounds.

James Lawton

BEST PLAYER: Juan Roman Riquelme

No one has declared a greater ambition, or shown more promise of fulfilling it, than the Argentina playmaker. It is no less than to orchestrate arguably the most dazzling collection of individual talent since Tele Santana's Brazilians failed in Spain 24 years ago.

There is much accountancy yet to do here in Germany but Riquelme, after struggling so badly to make an impact for Villarreal in the Champions' League semi-final ties with Arsenal, has travelled superbly through the group games. His touch, his vision, has at times been sensational. Now he has to travel to the mountain top. Who could not be fascinated while following each step of his journey.

BEST NEWCOMER: Lionel Messi

He is yet to complete a full 90 minutes, but already he has offered the possibility that he will do for the 18th World Cup what his adoring fan, Diego Maradona, did for the 13th. This was to take hold of football's greatest tournament and bend it, utterly, to his will - and his soaring talent. When the Argentina drums beat, be sure they do so most intensely for the genius of the little god in blue and white.

BEST PIECE OF SKILL: Kaka's goal against Croatia

Redeemed the crushing disappointment of Brazil's curtain-raiser. It was a goal which spoke of the highest individual talent as Kaka lost his marker with a half stride, then sent his shot swirling into the top corner of the net. The old Brazilian team chemistry was missing, but not the evidence that at least one of their players was still capable of parting the football heavens.

Jason Burt

BEST PLAYER: Juan Roman Riquelme

Pulling the strings for the tournament's best team so far.

BEST NEWCOMER: Cesc Fabregas

Made a real impact for Spain, especially against Tunisia.

BEST PIECE OF SKILL: Hernan Crespo's back-heel

Put the ball into the path of Esteban Cambiasso with the final pass in Argentina's 24-pass move that led to "that goal" against Serbia & Montenegro. Great awareness.

Glenn Moore

BEST PLAYER: Michael Essien

Because he's done it against better opposition than the other contenders, Javier Saviola, Arjen Robben and Miroslav Klose.

BEST NEWCOMER: Fernando Torres

BEST PIECE OF SKILL: Joe Cole's brilliant volley against Sweden

It would have been Italy's corner routine against the Czechs if Fabio Cannavaro's volley had been slightly lower

PHIL SHAW

BEST PLAYER: Juan Roman Riquelme

A classic No 10's performance to orchestrate the finest team display, the 6-0 defeat of Serbia & Montenegro.

BEST NEWCOMER: Philipp Lahm

Small but perfectly in form, the 22-year-old attacking left-back and Chelsea target has a sweet right foot.

BEST PIECE OF SKILL: Hernan Crespo's back-heel

The 24th pass of the move - showed awareness and audacity.

ANDY HUNTER

BEST PLAYER: Juan Roman Riquelme

Has dictated the pace of Argentina's excellent start. Never wastes possession and creates so much time for himself he could complete his Mexican bandit look by playing with a cigarillo in place.

BEST NEWCOMER: Fernando Torres

Has added a few million to Atletico Madrid's asking price with several outstanding finishes. His movement has also impressed. The only complaint is that he should have secured the leading goalscorer's mantle for the entire tournament by now.

BEST PIECE OF SKILL: Carlos Tevez's other drag-back

Took out two Serbian defenders inside the penalty area and enabled the Corinthians striker to announce his arrival at the World Cup with a goal in Argentina's fabulous display.