Well, the first week of the much anticipated World Cup is over. After a thrilling series of games, some teams rose to the occasion while others…flopped.

The winners and losers emerging from Week 1 are in some cases expected and in other cases quite shocking.

Winner: The United States

The big winner of week one (for entirely unbiased reasons, I promise) is the United States. The US team emerged victorious over Ghana, breaking a pattern of humiliating back-to-back losses suffered against this African nation.

Without a doubt the ONE goal for the United States men’s team going into the World Cup was to break Ghana’s psychological hold. That’s done. Anything else is gravy.

Clint Dempsey's goal put the US ahead after 32 seconds of World Cup play against Ghana http://t.co/If0mw63FMy pic.twitter.com/hABn7fTrKW

— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) June 17, 2014

Loser: Spain

No one saw that 5 – 1 result coming. Whoever says they did is a liar. Even if there was anticipation that the Netherlands would avenge their 2010 World Cup loss, no one could have known things would go so terribly for the defending champions.

The unfathomable sadness of Iker Casillas during Spain's 5-1 loss to the Netherlands http://t.co/TtpVSFWilS pic.twitter.com/xdPgjhXJ8g

— dirtytackle (@BrooksDT) June 14, 2014

Speaking of which, Spain holds the distinction for the worst performance by a defending champion in World Cup history. Ouch!

Winner: Robin Van Persie

Two words: Flying header. The image is already iconic and Van Persie’s header just may end up as THE goal of the 2014 World Cup.

RVP contributed two goals in the 5-1 victory over Spain. He’s no doubt hoping his international display will make up for a lackluster season at Manchester United.

.@Persie_Official's flying header for the Netherlands against Spain sparks an internet trend http://t.co/i2jEIsVlWm pic.twitter.com/J8rwCWjHvL

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 17, 2014

Loser: Diego Costa

This is a man that seemingly abandoned his Brazilian roots for the opportunity to play for the “greatest team in the world”. Costa may be realizing right now that not all that glitters is gold.

Was he worth it? Time for Diego Costa to step up for Spain http://t.co/Thya1FSvBi pic.twitter.com/rThu165f1N

— Goal UK (@GoalUK) June 18, 2014

Brazil is faring better than Spain at the moment. If Spain fails to make it out of the groups stage while Brazil manages to do so, it would bring a dramatically ironic end to Costa’s World Cup efforts.

Who are your World Cup winners and losers? Comment below!

Image via U.S. Soccer, Twitter