GOAL takes a look at how FIFA decides who receives each game's man of the match, and delves into the players who have won the award.
While choosing the best player from a minimum of 22 is a decision often shrouded in debate, this winter's World Cup has seen a few arguable selections across the first round of group matches. Behind this change could be the tournament's new selection process for the award, which includes the heavy involvement of fans online.
Budweiser's Player of the Match trophy is awarded through a public vote on the FIFA+ website. The window opens between the 60th and 88th minute of each game, in which fans from across the globe can cast their thoughts for each match's star player. Users are limited to one vote per match, and must be of legal age to register in order to be able to participate.
There is no way of policing whether fans are watching the games in question, though, meaning several awards were handed to players that were arguably less deserving. Here is a look at all the man of the match winners across the tournament so far, and what each player did to deserve it.
Getty ImagesEnner Valencia (Qatar 0-2 Ecuador)
Valencia announced himself in Qatar in some style. The Fernebahce forward thought he'd put Ecuador in front after just three minutes, only to see VAR chalk off his effort for offside. That didn't seem to deter him, though, cooly slotting home a penalty on 16 minutes before firing home a fine header on the half-hour mark. Despite hobbling off early with knee problems, there could be no complaints about Valencia winning this award, with Ecuador condemning Qatar to becoming the first ever host nation to loose its opening game at the World Cup.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesBukayo Saka (England 6-2 Iran)
Some questions were asked when Saka got the nod ahead of Phil Foden in England's opener, but the Arsenal starlet soon repaid Gareth Southgate's faith. A rifling volley to make it 2-0 was following by a delightful solo effort for England's fourth, with the Three Lions purring against Iran. Despite a whole host of potential candidates for the award, like Valencia there could be few argument's when Saka was given the man of the match trophy, as England cruised to a comfortable 6-2 opening day victory.
Getty ImagesCody Gakpo (Senegal 0-2 Netherlands)
If you hadn't heard of him before, you had after this game. Heading into the dying embers of the match, the Dutch needed a goal against a threatening Senegal side, and Gakpo was on hand to provide it. An inviting cross from Frenkie De Jong was met by the 23-year-old before Eduoard Mendy could get his gloves on it, sending home an unorthodox header to put the Netherlands ahead. A fine goal to cap off a great performance from the youngster, as the Oranje got off to a winning start in Qatar.
Getty ImagesGareth Bale (United States 1-1 Wales)
Now we begin to enter dubious territory. Bale's 82nd-minute penalty – which was Wales' first World Cup goal since 1958 – definitely showed bottle and was vital in snatching a point against an impressive USMNT side, but to consider the 33-year-old the game's best player might be a stretch. Like his side, Bale was outclassed and outshone by the US for large parts of the match in Al Rayyan, although voters on the FIFA+ website didn't appear to feel that way.