Russian midfielder Alexander Golovin is among the top three breakout stars of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, according to the ranking of the UK’s FourFourTwo football magazine posted on its website on Sunday, reports Russia news agency TASS.

The 22-year-old Russian footballer netted a spectacular free-kick and provided two assists in the World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia before going on to run the show in the host’s 3-1 victory over Egypt, the magazine says.

“He then proved to be Russia’s key man in their surprise second-round win over Spain, also coolly netting a penalty in an unbearably tense shootout,” the FourFourTwo said.

Hirving Lozano (Mexico) tops the UK magazine’s breakout stars rating followed by Japan’s Takashi Inui.

Team Russia coached by Stanislav Cherchesov lost to Croatia in the quarter-final match at the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi on Saturday night. The regular and the 30-minute overtime period ended in a 2-2 draw. The Croats won in a 4-3 penalty shootout.

In its previous Last 16 match, Russia beat Spain 4-3 on penalties. Team Russia advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in its modern history.