In December 2010, FIFA awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia. While there was jubilation amongst the Russians that they would host a World Cup, it was met with allegations of bribery and corruption. Even months before the World Cup, many were wondering how the greatest sporting event on earth could have been given to a nation with where dodgy politics, hooliganism, racism, and homophobia was so strong.

Many entered the tournament not expecting a great World Cup, with so many off-the-pitch issues, footballing powerhouses such as Italy and the Netherlands missing out, and many having a distorted perception of Russia, which was based on how popular Western media portrayed Russia. But how wrong were we? While there was cause for some concern, the scale was completely exaggerated, and what was unreported was the positive side of Russians and Russia.

From Yury Gazinsky scoring the first goal in the opening game, drama, excitement, and controvery was always around. Whether it was the group stage, knockout, or the final, the matches delivered what the fans wanted and what was needed. In a world with so much political conflict, the World Cup provided the perfect distraction, and because it’s hosted every 4 years, this means that a global celebration of the beautiful game heavily outweighs the club game, with higher figures and all the best players in the world playing on the same field.

These seem to be essential ingredients to a special, memorable World Cup, so how did Russia 2018 become the best .

Drama

The World Cup is 32 days, unlike a league season which lasts for 10 months. Unlike a league season, underdog stories are tough to develop over time, so it’s all about being sharp, short, and incisive. 2018 failed to disappoint. Going into the World Cup, there was a lot of pressure on Cristiano Ronaldo to perform, as it would be his last World Cup at his peak, and he delivered. In Portugal’s crucial important game against neighbours Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against one of the best teams in the world, including a lovely curled freekick into the top corner, capping off a day of late goals, with winning goals for Uruguay in the 88th minute against Egypt, and Iran against Morocco in the 95th.

Overall there were nine winning goals (plus four defeat-avoiding equalisers) scored in the last minute or injury time of games, more than any previous edition of the World Cup and just one fewer than the five tournaments from 1998–2014 combined. As BBC Sport said, “Late goals are the football equivalent of snapping that bit of plastic off an old cassette tape to prevent it being recorded over. They seal in the drama for good.”

Upsets

Everyone wants to see all the big sides face each other in the knockout games, yet, no one wants to see the big teams easily stroll into the final. If too many big sides got eliminated early, than viewership figures would have dropped, yet, many love a true underdog story.

Russia 2018 found the right mix. Germany proved to be lacklustre and uninspiring, continuing the “Champions Curse”, while Spain, Portugal, and Argentina all faced defeat in the round of 16.

Germany

On the 27th of June, Germany sealed their fate as being the 4th team in 5 World Cups to have gone out of the group stage after winning the World Cup on the previous occasion, through a shocking 2–0 defeat against Korea Republic. Germany entered the tournament with a 19% chance to win, and many economists, financial advisors, and pundits believing that Germany would go all the way again, however, things didn’t go to plan for Germany.

Throughout Germany’s tumultuous World Cup campaign, there was something very un-German about the performances. Instead, of making a simple pass, it took 5 passes to achieve that same outcome, and instead of being clinical, they were extremely wasteful in front of goal. Timo Werner was playing in a system that didn’t allow him to run in between the channels, Toni Kroos didn’t have the protection behind him to allow him to roam as forward as he would’ve liked to, and Thomas Müller was extremely average on the right throughout Germany’s matches. Despite barely beating the Swedes, Germany had painted the front door while letting the back one rot. They got by via superior individual quality — a method that does not fare well over multiple games.

Spain

On the 1st of July, Spain sealed their fate of going home after losing to the hosts Russia on penalties. Spain entered the tournament as one of the favourites, entering with a 17% chance of winning, and a 78% chance of making the quarter finals before their encounter than Russia.

Spain finishing top of group B and gaining only 5 points papered over the cracks, but many did not foresee Spain falling at the hands of hosts Russia. Hierro ignored the warning signs that the Morocco match produced and allowed them to spill into the Russia match. At no point was this vintage Spanish. At no point was Spain playing very convincingly, and at no point did Hierro consider changing to a more direct approach. As good as Spain were in dominating possession (78% to 22%) there was still a feeling that this team is a little stuck between two ideas, two generations perhaps. This is a Spanish disaster.

Argentina

Despite making to the round of 16 and losing to eventual champions France, Argentina were far from convincing. Argentina’s weakness in relying on Messi was exploited by Croatia. During the match, Marcelo Brozovic was assigned to shut down Messi and prevent him from getting on the ball as much as possible. The same tactic was used by France. Instead of man to man marking, Deschamps had the whole midfield surround him when he had the ball, limiting space and closing down all possible options whenever he got the ball.

“Argentine soccer used to be defined by what they call pausa: a playmaker’s ability to wait for the exact moment to play a pass. There is no pausa in Argentine soccer any more. The game against Croatia was the perfect example: all running, no thinking, an advertisement for a country that has lost its way.” (New York Times)

Underdogs

Iceland and Panama were the only debutants at this year’s World Cup, however, there were several teams who were determined to turn the odds.

Croatia

Out of all of the sides that needed to prove themselves, a Croatian team comprised of Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, and Ivan Perišić went all the way to the final. Having topped their group with 9 points, including a convincing 3–0 win against Argentina, Croatia entered the knockout stage, optimistic that they could go far, but not all the way to the final. Despite winning against Denmark, many were unconvinced that they would make the semi-finals, due to going to penalties and the players experiencing fatigue. However, they once again proved the critics wrong, defeating hosts Russia on penalties. Even when the odds were against them the most, trailing early against England due to a wonderful free-kick by Kieran Trippier, Croatia still managed to turn it around in extra-time. For a country with a population smaller than the likes of Singapore and New Zealand, and a country that’s only been around for 27 years, Croatia’s run to the final was truly a remarkable feat. Despite falling at the last hurdle against France, Croatia left with their heads held up high, receiving a warm welcome from the fans back at home when they arrived.

Russia

The hosts entered the World Cup as the lowest ranked side, and on a length winless run, however, that soon changed. Russia opened the World Cup in style, with a 5–0 hammering against Saudi Arabia, followed by a convincing 3–1 win against Egypt. Despite losing against Uruguay 3–0, they still qualified for the knockout stages, a feat that many had not expected them to achieve. But ahead of them in the round of 16 was footballing powerhouses Spain, who were determined to go all the way. Despite only having a 22% chance of victory before the game, Russia defied all odds, and beat Spain on penalties, securing a quarter-final appearance, exceeding everyone’s expectations. For a country that’s received so much backlash from popular Western media, Russia did in fact overachieve.

England

England aren’t necessarily underdogs, but few would’ve expected them to reach the semi-finals. England entered this tournament with a new team, a team that hasn’t experienced years of hurt with the national team, and were determined to make their nation proud, with no expectations on their shoulders. They ended up 2nd in the group to Belgium, a position that allowed them an easier side of the bracket. Despite conceding a late Yerry Mina goal against Colombia, England finally won a penalty shootout in a World Cup, the first time it has ever been achieved. Following their victory, they produced a mature display against Sweden in a 2–0 win. Despite not possessing many world class players, England at this year’s World Cup proved that they can play together as a team, and are not afraid of the challenges ahead of them. Even though they threw a lead against Croatia, England still leave this World Cup progressing further as a national team, and with their heads held up high.

Goals of the tournament

When you ask those who watched the World Cup what the goal of the tournament was, you’re likely going to receive different answers. Throughout the 64 games in the World Cup, 169 goals were scored, with an average of 2.64 goals scored per match. Whether it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s late free-kick curled into the top right corner, or Benjamin Pavard’s lovely outside-of-the-boot half volley into the top left corner, the sporting event always provides a wide array of great goals, and this World Cup was no different.

In the dying moments of the game, Cristiano Ronaldo steps up and scores a wonderful freekick against Spain to rescue a point for Portugal. While many would consider the result as a point dropped for Portugal, as they had the lead twice, the game was remembered for Ronaldo’s individual performance in that game and how he single-handedly turned it around for Portugal at every opportunity. While that goal was never mimicked again, it certainly started the ball rolling and was a prelude of better things.

Following France’s victory against Argentina, while Kylian Mbappé was the standout player on the pitch, Benjamin Pavard’s goal was the most memorable moment of the match, and also set a prelude for some great goals in the knockout stage.

Belgium had managed to level up with Japan after going 2–0 down and after Courtois comfortably catches the ball from a Japanese corner, he throws the ball to De Bruyne, who continuously runs at the defense before an option opens up. Once he plays Meunier on the flank, Meunier puts a low cross in which is dummied by Lukaku, opening up the opportunity for Nacer Chadli to score in an open net. This goal has been one of the nominees as goal of the tournament, but what made this goal great was the transitioning phase that Belgium went through from defense to attack, and how well they were able to do it.

Big players turning up

2006 belonged to Zinedine Zidane and Fabio Cannavaro. 2010 belonged to Diego Forlan and Wesley Sneijder. 2014 belonged to James Rodriguez and Lionel Messi. 2018 belonged to Luka Modrić and Kylian Mbappé. While Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar all scored goals and performed well in certain games, this World Cup wasn’t about them. It was about Mbappé and Modric.

Kylian Mbappé is undoubtedly the best young player in the planet. He’s the first teenager since Pelé to score in a World Cup final, scored 3 goals in 4 games, and single-handedly turned the game around for France against Argentina. Kylian Mbappé this tournament has cemented himself as someone who will become the best player in the world, and someone who isn’t afraid of pressure, and will turn up when it matters.

While Kylian Mbappé is just at the beginning of his career, Luka Modrić is towards the later stages. The midfield maestro won the golden ball this year, putting in quality displays and pulling the strings in Croatia’s midfield. Throughout this World Cup, Modric proved to be the most important player, playing through balls on a regular basis, and creating the tempo in midfield, as though he’s a midfield metronome waiting to play that final pass.

A World Cup final that had it all

A high-scoring affair

It was also the joint highest goal tally in a final since 1958, when Brazil beat Sweden 5–2.

The World Cup final ended up with a 4–2 victory for France, a game that saw 6 goals scored, with 3 goals in each half. While in the last 3 World Cups extra-time/penalties was required to find a winner, this game was what the fans wanted, an entertaining affair with both teams looking to play with attacking intent and not playing in such a cagey affair. Because of the attacking intent from both sides, we were able to see the best of Kylian Mbappé, Paul Pogba, Ivan Perišić, Antoine Griezmann, and more.

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand said on BBC One: “Sometimes these games can peter out to being boring chess matches but this was anything but. Croatia deserve credit for the way they attacked France.”

VAR controversy

This is the first World Cup to use video assistant referees (VAR). After being utilised regularly in the group stages, it went quiet for most of the knockout stage. But it was used in the final to award France a penalty.

When Samuel Umtiti flicked a corner towards Ivan Perisic’s hand, the referee did not award anything. But, after a lengthy discussion with the video assistant referee, he went to watch it on a screen — and awarded a penalty.

While many such as Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand disagreed with the referee’s decision to award a penalty, thankfully that decision didn’t singled-handedly determine the outcome of the game, as both teams continued to attack in the second half

Bizarre errors

Samuel Umtiti passed the ball back to his captain, the Tottenham goalkeeper. Lloris casually tried to step around Mandzukic — only managing to kick the ball off the striker and into his own net.

“What on earth is Hugo Lloris doing? He is in a World Cup final and he’s been punished for taking liberties,” said BBC One co-commentator Martin Keown.

It was probably the biggest mistake of the World Cup, although Germany keeper Manuel Neuer losing the ball 80 yards from goal as South Korea scored a second to knock them out in the group stages will live long in the memory.

The goal did give Mandzukic a couple of claims to fame. He is only the second player to score a goal and an own goal in a World Cup game — and the first in a final.

And he is just the fifth player to score in a World Cup and European Cup or Champions League finals — the first since Zinedine Zidane.