From a defender with a cap for Brazil, to a born-again Christian, a child actor and the striker who dreams of AC Milan... meet Russia's ragtag stars who have taken the World Cup by storm

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Before a ball was kicked some believed that Russia could put in one of the shoddiest World Cup performances by a host nation. This was clearly fake news. 

Two blistering matches, two emphatic wins and eight goals later it is time to think again. While Portugal or Spain await beyond the groups, at the moment all is well. 

Here is Sportsmail's guide to the 23-man squad who have become the early team of the tournament.

GOALKEEPERS 

Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow)

Last July kept a Champions League clean sheet for the first time in almost a decade. Perhaps it was an omen for what was to come. Was once hit by a flare in an ultimately-abandoned match and has picked up more than 100 caps for his country. 

A one-club man, he is one of the most decorated players in Russian football history with six top-flight titles. Made his debut at 16, saving a penalty in the process. A modern day Lev Yashin. 

Vladimir Gabulov (Club Brugge) 

Veteran who has played for nine different clubs in a career which dates back to 1999. Puts his desire to be a goalkeeper down to being smashed in the face by a ball - prompting a double somersault - when playing with his father as a child. 'That day I understood that the balls should be caught,' he said.

Igor Akinfeev (left) and Vladimir Gabulov are two of Russia's three World Cup goalkeepers

Andrey Lunev (Zenit St Petersburg) 

Rejected by the club of his youth, Torpedo Moscow, sent out on loan in the lower divisions and, according to one report, had to deal with threats from a bank after taking a loan in desperation when one of his clubs had not paid him for months. Lunev's is an underdog story, with his 2016 dream move to Zenit and international call-up a fitting end. 

DEFENDERS 

Ilya Kutepov (Spartak Moscow) 

Talented centre-half who was once approached by Lazio. Made headlines before the tournament by stating that he would repeat Sergio Ramos's antics to stop Mohamed Salah. Did not need to, and even provided an assist for Russia's third against Mo's men.

Andrey Lunev (left) warms up in training on Monday while Ilya Kutepov poses for the cameras

Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow)

Legend of the Russian game who continues to excel for his country at the age of 38 after coming out of international retirement. Favourite subjects at school were PE and Geography. 

As a child, Ignashevich starred in kids' show Yeralash. Reflecting on his early acting career, he said: 'I appeared in several episodes, the most famous of which is the one where the boy came to the girl's house, and she went after the salt, and he went for salt but found her diary.'

Mario Fernandes (both CSKA Moscow)

Not many people go to Russia and stop drinking. Fernandes, a Russian citizen who won one cap in a friendly for his native Brazil, did just that. 'I spent a lot of time at nightclubs, was fond of alcohol and missed training sessions,' he reflected honestly of his time with Gremio. The move to Moscow prompted a lifestyle and nationality change. 

Sergei Ignashevich (left) and Mario Fernandes started Russia's 3-1 win over Egypt on Tuesday

Andrey Semenov (Akhmat Grozny) 

Shares his name with a Russian mixed martial arts fighter. Moscow-born and developed by Spartak but never played for one of the capital's clubs. One of a number to have made the squad thanks to injuries to others.

Igor Smolnikov (Zenit St Petersburg)

Born in the industrial heart of the Ural region, he moved to the capital at the age of just 11 after impressing Lokomotiv scouts at a tournament. Failed to make the breakthrough there, but following a number of loan spells and a decision not to retire from the game, the attacking full back became a mainstay at Zenit St Petersburg. 

Andrey Semenov (left) and Igor Smolnikov are defensive options for Stanislav Cherchesov

Vladimir Granat (Rubin Kazan

Former Spartak Moscow centre-half was attacked by a pitch-invading Zenit fan and left with a broken jaw after riots broke out during a match in 2014. Hails from eastern Siberia. 

Fedor Kudryashov (Rubin Kazan)

Another Siberian stopper, made his national team debut in 2016 at the age of 29. Was given his chance to impress with Spartak Moscow in 2007 following the departure of Argentine defender Clemente Rodriguez. 

Vladimir Granat (left) and Fedor Kudryashov are hoping to make it a glorious year for Russia

Yuri Zhirkov (Zenit St Petersburg)

The former Chelsea, 34, man hit the headlines last week thanks to his wife, who publicly backed a rather bizarre outburst from a Communist MP who called on Russian women not to sleep with foreigners, should their other halves become engrossed in football for the next fortnight or so. Now has 86 caps.

MIDFIELDERS

Yuri Gazinskiy (Krasnodar)

Grafter, from the far east of the country, who many thought would not make the squad. Has added steel to the side and wrote himself into the history books, registering the tournament's first goal with a header in the glorious 5-0 opener against hapless Saudi Arabia.

Yuri Zhirkov (left) remains a regular, while Yuri Gazinskiy scored the tournament's first goal

Alexsandr Golovin (CSKA Moscow)

Brilliant free-kick capped a record-breaking opening match margin of victory for a host. Another Siberian and, at 22, the youngest player in the squad. Calmly pulled out an earpiece and walked away from a post-match TV interview when asked about links to Juventus and branded the next Russian superstar. It's on YouTube and is worth a watch. Chelsea and Arsenal are also admirers.

Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow) 

Campaign may be over after he appeared to tweak a hamstring in the first match. Viewed as one of Russia's playmakers. So far, they are making do without him.

Alexsandr Golovin (left) could be the hosts' star on home soil but Alan Dzagoev is injured

Roman Zobnin (Spartak Moscow)

Handsome, talented midfielder and a big fan of the Braun Series 3 razor. 'In the morning every minute counts,' he told his Instagram followers, 'so routine procedures should take a minimum of time'. Wise words. 'Thanks to Braun Series 3 for the exact result: 3 minutes and you're ready!' he added, just in case you were not sold already.

Alexsandr Samedov (Spartak Moscow)

Converted to Christianity following a bout of depression at the suggestion of his wife who he met while she was working in a casino reception to pay for her studies. Earlier in his career was given the opportunity to play for Azerbaijan but declined as it would have meant renouncing his Russian citizenship.

Roman Zobnin (left) and Alexsandr Samedov are both options in midfield for boss Cherchesov

Aleksandr Erokhin (Zenit St Petersburg)

Another to have been released by his boyhood club, in this case Lokomotiv Moscow, only to prove them wrong. At one point contemplated a career in sports medicine. Scored four goals in his last league match.

Denis Cheryshev (Villarreal)

Perhaps more than anyone else, Cheryshev captures the essence of Russia's unlikely start. With three goals, he is the tournament's joint top scorer with Cristiano Ronaldo. Schooled at Real Madrid, he has managed two apiece in his last two seasons in Spain and, before this tournament had started, had never scored for his country. He has now.

Aleksandr Erokhin (left) and Denis Cheryshev, who has already scored three World Cup goals

Anton Miranchuk (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Has emerged from the shadow of twin Aleksey, who is also in the squad. While his brother broke into the Lokomotiv side, Anton was sent on loan to Estonia where, among other things, he learned to cook and do his own washing while playing 40 matches. The boy returned a man, broke into the team and has remained there.

Daler Kuzyaev (Zenit St Petersburg)

Has come from absolutely nowhere. Did not score in four seasons at minnow Tarek Grozny and Roberto Mancini's move to bring him to Zenit barely registered among the club's support. Scored on debut and has not looked back since. Made his Russia bow in October. Is of Tajik origin.

Daler Kuzyaev (left) has enjoyed a rapid rise, while Anton Miranchuk has a twin brother

FORWARDS

Artem Dzyuba (Arsenal Tula)

Likes a debate. Famous for mocking current Arsenal boss Unai Emery while he was at Spartak Moscow and is currently playing for Arsenal Tula, who finished a distant seventh last season and whose compact home holds just 20,000. Emery would appear to have had the last laugh, although if Dzyuba can add to his tally he may get another dig in.

Aleksey Miranchuk (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Made his debut under Slaven Bilic at the age of 17 and named by adidas in a Lionel Messi-backed team of 10 promising players from around the world. Takes lots of pictures of himself in front of Chevrolet cars and posts them on social media. Big fan of Ronaldinho while growing up.

Artem Dzyuba (left) and Aleksey Miranchuk are two of Russia's three recognised strikers

Fedor Smolov (Krasnodar)

Prolific, powerful striker linked with a move to West Ham United last year. Has been able to speak English fluently from the age of 16 and recently read Mario Puzo's The Family. A fan of both Zlatan Ibrahimovc and AC Milan, he 'dreams' of playing in the red and black. 

Fedor Smolov (left) was brought off the bench by manager Cherchesov in the win over Egypt