The player and team of the week

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Player of the week -- Wayne Rooney
What a week it's been for England's number 10.

With four goals in just two matches, Wayne Rooney was certainly one of the most prolific scorers in the recent run of World Cup qualifiers; and after each successful match he was hailed as the reason for England's sudden good form.

It wasn't just the goals he scored: he had a hand in a few of those netted by his teammates, as well as getting back in time to put in crucial tackles in his own half.

Rooney has always been a hard worker, and in England people have a lot of respect for him -- quite surprising for a Manchester United player -- but at international level he, much like the national team, has been something of a disappointment.

This week, England got the Rooney they had been promised way back when he made his big money move from Everton to United.

He looked every bit the roaming striker, linking up beautifully with Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and the surprisingly nimble Emile Heskey, keeping possession and pulling off tricks his club teammate Cristiano Ronaldo would have been proud of.

Rooney himself claimed he was playing the best football of his career so far, which can only be good news for a national side that has a tendency to underperform. If he can keep it up, England will be a dead cert to qualify top of their group.

Team of the week -- Paraguay
If you can keep your head while all about you are losing theirs, then World Cup qualification will be well within your grasp: That's how Paraguay seem to be handling the early stages of the competition.

In a group that contains some of the world's biggest names -- the likes of Lionel Messi, Kaka and Ronaldinho -- you would imagine a side such as Paraguay might struggle to keep up, but as the regular champions stutter and stumble at almost every hurdle, the Paraguayans have become the team to beat.

This week, while an uninspiring Brazil drew with Colombia and a lackluster Argentina were beaten by Chile, Paraguay put in workman-like performances at home to Peru and away to Colombia, extending their lead at the top of the group to six points.

The team has ground out its all-important victories by building results around their almost impenetrable defense. Though it might not be flashy, it is the kind of football that won Greece the European Championships in 2004 and Italy the World Cup in 2006, so it's clearly a strategy that works.

And it should be noted this style of play has been somewhat imposed on the squad: they have had to cope without star striker Roque Santa Cruz, out this week with a hamstring injury.

With the Blackburn scorer, the side can be very threatening up front, but, as this week has proven, they can get results even without their big names. If they can maintain momentum and keep winning, Paraguay could cause a real upset in South Africa.

Which players and teams have impressed you in the World Cup playoffs so far? Who's caught your eye -- and who might cause an upset? Leave your comments below and we'll publish the best.

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