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World Cup 2018: That's a wrap!

Hey guys, The world cup came to it's conclusion this afternoon when France took on Croatia to take the crown in a thrilling encounter with goals galore! All football fans were treated to a special final with lots of goals - A penalty, an own goal and a keeper's fumble... But some excellent strikes also, Perisic's goal my favourite! What was yours?!? Not only was it an excellent final but we also saw VAR used in a World Cup final for the first time!! What an exciting time for football! I think you will all agree with me in saying that I am glad the use of VAR didn't directly impact the result of the game - By that I mean it wasn't just the one goal between the teams. As a big footie fan, I am sad to see the end of the World cup, but what a World cup it has been! The highlight for me being Belgium's last grasp winner against Japan and also the superb strike from Nacho in Spain's 3-3 draw with Portugal. Special mention to Pavard with that special goal and also Kroos with that last minute masterpiece against a spirited Swedish side. We have been treated to some amazing football over the course of the World cup and France deserved winners at the end of it all. Wasn't to be for the mighty Croatia on finals day but what a journey they had getting to the final alone. Only four more years until the next World Cup now! What was your highlight? Let me know below in the comments!

I enjoy looking at statistics and so I have decided to pick out some interesting ones from the World Cup to share with y
ou all! Here's my top 8! And yes it was hard to just pick 8!
  1. There were 22 penalties scored at the 2018 World Cup, the most in any edition of the competition.
  2. There were nine winning goals scored in the 90th minute or later at the 2018 World Cup (excluding extra-time), more than at any other edition of the tournament.
  3. Against Argentina in the round of 16, France's Kylian Mbappe became the first teenager to score at least twice in a World Cup match since Pele netted twice for Brazil against Sweden in the 1958 final.
  4. Essam El-Hadary (45y 161d) broke the record for the oldest player to appear at a World Cup, with the Egyptian goalkeeper aged two years & 158 days older than Colombian Faryd Mondragón, who previously held the record. He also saved a penalty in this match for Egypt.
  5. Didier Deschamps is the third person to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager, after Brazil's Mario Zagallo and West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer.
  6. Brazil have been eliminated by a European nation in each of the last four editions of the World Cup (France 2006, Netherlands 2010, Germany 2014 and Belgium 2018).
  7. England scored nine goals from set pieces at the 2018 World Cup - the most by a team in a single World Cup tournament since 1966.
  8. Olivier Giroud didn't attempt a single shot on target in 546 minutes at this World Cup for France.
And now I have picked out some personal highlights from this summer's edition which include save of the tournament, team and individual goal of the tournament, best player and finally the best and worst games all which are in my opinion! Feel free to have your say below! I'd love to hear your views!

Here it goes...

Save of the tournament:
- Jordan Pickford vs Belgium
Pickford was arguably the best keeper at this year's world cup, although he didn't pick up the golden glove award, he did however pulled off save of the tournament in my opinion in England's 2-0 defeat to Belgium. 

Team Goal of the tournament: 
- Chadli (Belgium vs Japan)
Belgium scored with the last kick of the game to progress against a spirited Japan side. The Belgians went 2-0 down before mounting on a massive comeback which saw them progress with a 3-2 win, Nacer Chadli finishing off a brilliant team effort which started from defense. A classic counter attacking move. 

Individual Goal of the tournament:
- Pavard (France vs Argentina)
A defender who not many had heard of coming into the World cup really did establish himself didn't he? I think you all know the goal I'm referring to! His thunder strike against Argentina of course. Skill, Technique and Precision! Pick that one out! 

Best Player: 
- Luka Modric
Undoubtedly the best player has to be Luka Modric. In a team which never said die, the Croatians fought til the final whistle, winning each of their knock-out games on a penalty shootout. But 32 year-old Luka Modric shone for me, coming up with the magic when his team most needed it, wheter he was setting up a team-mate or finishing it off himself.

Worst Game:
-Russia vs Saudi Arabia
The opening game of the world cup and what a boring one in my opinion! I've seen better Sunday league games! The Russians winning out 5-0 in the end but it was far from an exciting encounter.

Best Game:
- Portugal vs Spain
Compared to the Russia-Saudi game this was a beast of a game! A 6-goal thriller between two top teams in World football. Cristiano Ronaldo, the star of the moment as he scored a hat-trick to spoil the Spanish party, sharing the points. His 88th minute free-kick won't be forgotten anytime soon! 

Finally, just for fun, here is my starting 11 of the tournament:
GK - Jordan Pickford (England)
DEF - Raphael Varane (France)
DEF - Yerry Mina (Colombia)
DEF - Benjamin Pavard (France)
DEF - Harry Maguire (England)
MID - Luka Modric (Croatia)
MID - Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)
MID - Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
FWD - Kylian Mbappe (France)
FWD - Harry Kane (England)
FWD - Eden Hazard (Belgium) 

Notable Mentions also go to Andreas Granqvist (Sweden), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), Diego Godin (Uruguay), Takashi Inuai (Japan), Ante Rebic (Croatia) and Kieran Trippier (England). Also big congrats to France! Deserved winners!


So, that's all for today guys! Hope you enjoyed this slightly different post! Feel free to post your opinions in the comments below and as always share! 

Talk soon,
Kate!









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