Themenbereiche: FIFA Women's World Cup, France, Alex Morgan, Cristiane Rozeira, Cristiana Girelli
Goals have been flying in from all match centers and the battle for the Golden Ball is already hotting up. Who is on course to clinch the accolade?

Day 8 of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup was not short of the thrills and spills that have graced the tournament so far. In what was the first of three matches to be played, Scotland's chances of progressing out of Group D were dashed after being condemned to another defeat by Japan.

Another romping was recorded in Group C with Italy putting five past Jamaica to all but seal a spot in the knockout phase for the first time since 1991. A brace by Aurora Galli and a Cristiana Girelli hat-trick took Milena Bertolini's side three points ahead of Brazil and Australia who are tied on three points apiece.

All in all, a few names have now made a strong claim for this year's Golden Ball and a strong individual contest could yet unfold. Here is how the top goalscorers chart looks at the moment:

  1. Alex Morgan, United States: 5 goals

  2. Cristiane Rozeira, Brazil: 4 goals

  3. Cristiana Girelli, Italy: 3 goals

  4. Eugénie Le Sommer, France: 2 goals

  5. Wendie Renard, France: 2 goals

  6. Barbara Bonansea, Italy: 2 goals

  7. Aurora Galli, Italy: 2 goals

  8. Jennifer Hermoso, Spain: 2 goals

  9. Rose Lavelle, United States: 2 goals

  10. Sam Mewis, United States: 2 goals

Click here for the full chart.

Who is the favorite to win the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Ball?

With uncertainty woven into the very fabric of football, it may be a tad early to single out any individual for the 2019 Golden Ball honor. As seen in recent times, there have series of rompings orchestrated by some of the tournaments favorites and the tendency to witness such goal-fests cannot be overruled.

With the chart now taking form after the second round of matches, here are the players to watch out for:

Alex Morgan

At the moment, the USWNT's Alex Morgan looks like the hottest candidate having banged in five in her side's historic 13-0 win over Thailand. The Orlando Pride forward and her teammates will take on Chile in the second game - a side that suffered a 2-0 defeat to Sweden in its first outing.

Chances are that Jill Ellis' ladies will run another riot on the South Americans with Morgan's involvement well expected.

Cristiane Rozeira

Brazil's Cristiane is also another candidate although her fate hinges on the Selecao surviving the drop in Group C. After bagging a hat-trick in the first game against Jamaica, the 34-year-old striker fired blanks as her side was condemned to a shock 3-2 defeat against Australia.

The biggest test of the Brazilians is yet to come with their next challenger being an Italian side that has won all of its first two games. That withstanding, a heavy defeat for the South Americans could put Cristiane's ambitions in jeopardy.

Cristiana Girelli

After being less impactful on Matchday 1 against Australia, Cristiana Girelli's presence was felt in Friday's mauling of Jamaica. As the center-woman in Italy's attacking trio which features Barbara Bonansea as well as Ilaria Mauro, more goals should be expected off the boots of the 29-year-old Juventus player.

Should her side seal top spot in Group C by beating or drawing with Brazil in the final group game, Girelli could further boost her goal tally against the third place side in Group A. That will be between Norway and Nigeria with the pair boasting a better goal difference than South Korea while tied with three points apiece.

Players to watch:  

Eugenie le Sommer, France: 2 goals

Rose Lavelle, United States: 2 goals

Barbara Bonansea, Italy: 2 goals

Aurora Galli, Italy: 2 goals

Wendy Renard, France: 2 goals

Jennifer Hermoso, Spain: 2 goals

Carli Lloyd, United States: 1 goal.