Match of the tournament Russia and Croatia had everything: a spectacular goal from Denis Cheryshev, an unbearable tension during a period of prolongation, of rejoicings where Mário Fernandes equalized and then drew heartbreak. Love for guests – quickly followed by a recognition that they should keep their heads high
Tournament Player Luka Modric. He was influential in the first game, but in extra time of the Croatia match against England, it was impossible to take his eyes off him. Modric played more fluently but the way he dragged himself and his team was breathtaking.
Goal of the tournament A long time ago, but the "trivela" of Ricardo Quaresma for Portugal against Iran was
Personal Surprise It seems a bit ugly but I look at the sun to get up on Kazan Arena from my apartment, only a few hours after seeing France beat Argentina 4-3 there in a magnificent football game, gave rise to a feeling of immense joy simply from … be here. No one would take to cover this tournament for granted.
The biggest disappointment That we have not seen a more diverse tournament from the quarterfinals. The primacy of Europe was disconcerting and, although we will have to wait to see if it is a trend, it is not really surprising. It was also a regret on the ground, because the dynamism that tens of thousands of Latin American fans brought to the early stages was one of the aspects that made this month special.
Most Difficult Off-Scene Moment Responsibility has rarely been heavier than when, having booked a minibus to take yours and his seven colleagues from Kazan to Samara in time for England against the Sweden, the vehicle arrived with an hour and 20 minutes late. That was the good news. A confused driver, who was somehow lost en route to our apartment, then emerged and explained that (a) the sound of his GPS was packed and (b) he did not know Samara's way anyway. At that time, the risk of losing inches in several important organs of the UK seemed severe but, with the help of our phones and a rotation of seat badistants, we we are almost unsuccessful to cover the quarterfinals.
The most beloved memory of Russia Less a specific memory than the simple pleasure that the fans and the locals who clashed so happily interacted and saw the best sides. In the regional cities such as Samara and Volgograd, in particular, one could see how much it meant for people who had never experienced anything like this before; the only shame is that so few fans from Western Europe, in particular, felt emboldened to join them.
What is happening now for England? The good feeling of this summer must be bottled because the normality will soon be felt and the reality is that, for England to succeed, it must make sure that the best players have a practicable path to the summit. Current harvests are decent but not good enough to raise major trophies: until the development process of big clubs leans in favor of the players who will stay in the game.
Dominic Fifield
Tournament Match Portugal 3- 3 Spain, a game that set the bar high for the tournament and probably gave both teams false hopes for their own abilities in Russia. Cristiano Ronaldo was a force of nature, Spain stole their pbades and seemed irresistible and an optimistic tone was set for everything that followed. The World Cup, though it is not necessarily Spain and Portugal, has met expectations afterwards.
Player of the tournament Eden Hazard. The Premier League has long been used to Belgian genius, but here it shone on the world stage. He provided goals, badists and dribbles and he was disappointed in private to finish third only, although his statement that his time in Chelsea could be up was a sting in the lineup.
Eden Hazard pbades the ball during the third day of play-off in the World Cup World against England. Photography: Tom Jenkins / Guardian
Goal of the tournament The rearguards had fun in Russia. Make your choice between Nacho's goal, leveled in both posts, against Portugal and Benjamin Pavard's magnificent award against Argentina.
Jordan Pickford personal highlight of Carlos Bacca and Eric Dier claiming a penalty shot for England. Followed closely by the glory of The Motherland Calls and the Stalingrad Memorial.
The biggest disappointment Argentina, which I had found disconcerting could win the tournament. There was no rhythm, no energy and far too much confidence in Lionel Messi. They had the chance to escape the group and were beaten more convincingly by France than the score of 4-3
The sharpest moment Flies , flies, Volgograd flies off the swamps of the Volga. Oh, and Repino's mosquitoes, who came out with a vengeance at dusk. My God, they loved me as much as I hated them. They will not be missed. That said, vanilla oil was a bit of a find, and nicer than the DEET
Most Valuable Souvenir of Russia St. Petersburg. An incredible city, a glorious mix of Paris, Vienna and Amsterdam, with a touch of Scandinavia. It was comforting to see English players enjoy their days visiting its sites, from the Hermitage to the Winter Palace, through the fairground.
What is happening now to England? For once, England leaves a tournament in a promising place. They have a plan, a manager with a vision and a crop of young players waiting behind the scenes to make their mark. The League of Nations, which begins in the fall, will not be simple but it could cultivate renewed interest in international football. The World Cup was a matter of progress. Now they have to maintain it
Thomas Hitzlsperger
Tournament Match Portugal v Spain.
Player of the tournament Eden Hazard.
Goal of the tournament Benjamin Pavard against Argentina
The Frenchman Benjamin Pavard hits his sumptuous volley against the l […] Argentina. Photography: Kieran McManus / BPI / Rex / Shutterstock
Personal high point Mbappé's solo race against Argentina
The biggest disappointment The Germany team
Moment of out-of-field The most disconcerting Because England did so well and Gareth Southgate He was asked to wear a vest in the TV studio. The team was really excited but I was not happy at all. I decided against it. Fortunately, they kept me until the last day …
Most Expensive Souvenir I went to Volgograd before the World Cup and I was overwhelmed after having visited the monuments of Mamayev Hill and Rossoschka, a Russian-German military cemetery. It was a lesson in history as I have never experienced it.
What is happening now in England? Keep the spirit of the team alive and practice more possession and fewer coins in play.
David Hytner
Tournament Match Belgium v Brazil. For Belgium's counter-attack masterclbad in the first half and the breakneck drama after the interval. The pace and intensity were incredible.
Tournament Player I liked how Paul Pogba was doing but Luka Modric was the featured performer. I've long thought that he was the best central midfielder in world football and he was oozing clbad and control. Has shown his courage to step up in the last 16 shootout against Denmark, having missed a penalty in extra time.
Goal of the tournament Toni Kroos v Sweden. OK, this has seriously disturbed me to the deadline, but the intelligence, technique and execution, with the hopes of the World Cup of Germany on the line, have been extraordinary. I thought that would trigger Germany in life. I was wrong.
Personal Highlight So much. That's some. Watch Brazil live. Enjoying Tite (Cheechee). Be there for the equalization of Mário Fernandes. Take a walk in Gorky Park and Neskuchny Garden. People watching on Novy Arbat. Being in a busload of fans filled with Colombians when the Colombian team bus doubled. Meeting with Carlos Valderrama. Know what a good guy Dejan Lovren is. The emotion at the finals
The biggest disappointment Neymar was the coolest kid in the world in Brazil 2014. I remember him doing keepie-uppies while he was walking for a workout and seemed not to have a care – as 200 million Brazilians have invested their dreams in him. The king has turned into a princess here. Neymar reacts after a challenge in the Brazilian group match against Serbia "src =" https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/909e7ba354658a7d60daf5e8a67e96e872bdd6f5/0_80_2406_1443/master/2406.jpg?w=300&q=55&auto= uSM & size = 12 & did = & s = max 21bef287673cc1d67a588b34c2b668d8 "/>
Neymar reacts after a challenge in the Brazilian group match against Serbia. Photography: Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
Decisive Moment Out of the Field My first full day was in Rostov-on-Don, where I was covering Brazil against Switzerland. I had to go to the stadium for press conferences. There was no tube. I could not get a uber, yandex or regular taxi. I had not yet discovered the game changer which was Google's translation app. I was completely stuck and it was a horrible feeling. I would be saved by a loving couple, whom I had met the night before, and they drove me to the stadium. He gave a good tone.
Most Valued Memory of Russia My departure was the sincere desire of the Russian people that his country be appreciated. All the Russians I met in all the cities were faced with the same questions. What do you think of Russia? What do you think of our city? And, invariably, what do you think of our women? It was important that visitors leave with different perceptions. Moscow is now one of my top five cities.
What is now for England? Quite simply, to enjoy positivity as long as it lasts
Stuart James
Tournament Match Belgium 3-2 Japan. I expected Belgium to go to victory but Japan was absolutely great. When Japan made it 2-0, thanks to Takashi Inui's superb goal, Telegraph's James Ducker and I looked at each other in the press box as if to say, "What the heck is going on here?" where he is due, replied brilliantly. What a way to win the match, the best counterattack I've ever seen.
Tournament Player Hard to look past Luka Modric, who was so influential for Croatia in what will surely be her last World Cup, but let's not know the contribution of N & # Golo Kanté, even if the Frenchman would pbad rather well under the radar. Kylian Mbappe also deserves a mention – he will be a superstar, though he is not already there.
Kylian Mbappé of France takes a corner in the group match against Peru. Photography: Michael Regan / FIFA via Getty Images
Goal of the tournament The embarrbadment of choice. Benjamin Pavard's strike against Argentina was huge. I've also loved Nacho's goal for Spain in their 3-3 draw with Portugal – what a technique yet. But I reject Denis Cheryshev's second place against Saudi Arabia. Elegantly caressed in the upper corner with the outside of his left boot, it was a thing of beauty and set the tone for this World Cup.
Personal Highlight Watch England in the World Cup first semifinal since 1990, when I was 14 years old. I never imagined for a minute that I would be in this situation when I left for Russia. And what a free kick by Kieran Trippier hit the back of the net. We will not go with what happened later.
The greatest disappointment The amount of play, but especially that of Neymar. It was embarrbading to watch him sometimes and sad too, given his talent. He's not alone, though, and he's at the stage where Fifa has to face the issue head on. Unfortunately, he will probably ignore it.
The sharpest moment out of the field I could write a book on this one. I got very lost and did not master the metro in Moscow until day 30 (I went home the next morning). Getting in and out of the hammock in my apartment in Sochi was testing. And I finished with five courses after ordering soup for lunch in Saransk. Thank God for Google translate, which prevented more buffoonery like that and became my best friend.
Most beloved memory of Russia So many choices but I would probably say walk to Mordovia Arena in Saransk for the first world of Peru. Cup of play in 36 years. I remember turning this corner and seeing thousands and thousands of red and white shirts stretching out as far as the eye could see. They walked, sang, laughed and smiled – having the time of their lives. It was an amazing sight and it gives me goosebumps every time I think about it
What is happening now for England? The balance does not feel good in midfield and this showed against Croatia, so Gareth Southgate has some work to do there. But let's be positive: there is a factor of well-being that has not existed for a long time. Heck, I would like to take my son to an England match now and I never thought I would say it.
Martha Kelner
Tournament Match I watched the group match between Spain and Portugal a poky hotel room in Volgograd on a 13-inch TV at less a few decades ago. But even that could not curb the enjoyment of a game for ages. He lived up to all the hype. As for Ronaldo's free kick in the end, he just knew that he was going to score. Incredible
Tournament Player Eden Hazard may not have reached the finals, but he has always been brilliant for Belgium, getting three man-match performances. He still captivated his audience in the mixed zone after the third-place barrage, announcing that he wanted to get out of Chelsea
Goal of the tournament Maybe slightly colored by the fact that I l & # 39; I saw live but The curler of Jesse Lingard, author of 25 yards against Panama, his first international goal, was staggering. Yes, the opposition was limited and England was already well on its way to a rout, but after seeing it remove pieces throughout the afternoon, that 's all right. was a welcome, a nice interruption. Englishman Jesse Lingard, second from left, pbades the ball deep into the net for England's third goal in his 6-1 win over Panama. "src =" https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b1d2da05b7bbf14ed766701c06aa0d12f5c4ff5c/0_100_3728_2238/master/3728.jpg?w=300&q=55&auto=format&usm=12&fit=max&s=d6d46affbd5b42b9792011ad0103a8ec "/>
The Englishman Jesse Lingard, second from left, pbades the ball deep in the net their 6-1 win over Panama. Photography: Dave Shopland / BPI / Rex / Shutterstock
Personal High Point Being inside Spartak Stadium to attend England finally won a penalty shoot-out. You try to remain impartial as a journalist, but you also point out how you feel and it's impossible not to feel Gareth Southgate's joy that night. He then said that he would never catch the missed penalty at Euro 96, but that you hope to lead a team to a shootout victory.
B Largest Disappointment That Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could not say more about the tournament. But this blow was softened by the emergence of another superstar at Kylian Mbappé
Most Reeling moment of trepidation Stuck in a nice match day in Kaliningrad before England does not play in Belgium. We were still half an hour about three miles from the stadium with the clock getting closer to the bidding. Cue abandoning my taxi, renting a bicycle from a nearby store and cycling up to the stadium on the main highway, which they had happily closed for the afternoon.
Remembrance of Russia Meeting with a 17-year-old waitress at a restaurant in Samara, a town 1,000 km southeast of Moscow. When I told her that I was from London, she could not contain her excitement. She wanted to know everything about England and we are now friends on social networks. In fact, this whole trip was a reminder not to confuse people with politics. Especially the younger generation of Russians has been friendly, curious and so welcoming.
What is happening now for England? To continue to progress, new bloody talents like Ryan Sessegnon and Phil Foden. And to use the knowledge that Euro 2020 will feel a bit like a home tournament, with seven games at Wembley, to train in the future.
Amy Lawrence
Tournament Match France 4-3 Argentina. If your heart did not fly to the sight of what Kylian Mbappé did here, you have no activity watching sports (except the Argentines). Interwoven intrigues, high emotions, brilliant goals, sticks and pitch drama have made for a clbadic of all time.
Tournament Player Mixing this in the days before the final the cases for Luka Modric and Mbappé felt particularly strong. Not much changed in the final – both deserve the highest honors – but something about Paul Pogba, his way of playing, made his mark, played his role insistently and influenced the finale.
Frenchman Paul Pogba holds the trophy as he celebrates the victory of the World Cup. Photography: Dylan Martinez / Reuters
Goal of the tournament Welcome to the old screamer against the purity of the technique versus the dilemma of the team. Belgium's match against Japan was very impressive, especially in the context of a match that they were leading 2-0. Lionel Messi's second muted contact against Nigeria is a beauty thing in itself. The laser volley of Benjamin Pavard gives me a whim.
On the outside of the stadiums, being in the evocative Kazan Snob Bar named riveted to the 3-3 humdinger between Spain and Portugal accompanied by high speed house music and a guy who hangs out in a giant polar bear costume without obvious reason. In the stadium, see the Swedes and Mexicans start an impromptu dance on their song "Bye Bye Germany" after the dramatic end of group F.
The biggest disappointment Not being able to lay hands on a T- shirt "Arsenal Rock" – the best radio station of Ekaterinburg, do not you know – despite an intensive hunting.
Out-of-Shooting Moment Trying to survive 90 minutes of Japan against Senegal sitting next to someone who had absolutely no idea how to handle a very intense body odor.
The most beloved memory of Russia Peruvians. They seemed to be everywhere I went. Watching the world flowing from the shores of Iset to Yekaterinburg, where I would have never dared to venture without this World Cup, was charming and of course reinforced by small groups of wandering Peruvians.
What is now for England? Creativity. Find it, feed it, encourage it, use it. A culture of doing well in tournaments is now in place in all age groups. The addition of finesse to the next level is the missing ingredient that could make a significant difference.
Sid Lowe
Tournament Match Spain 3-3 Portugal, my first match, was a good way to start a tournament in which I had the look of having often lucky (confession time: journalists do not feel "lucky" exactly when the games are dramatic and decided by late goals). Even Switzerland-Serbia, supposedly a beautiful quiet night, has turned out to be grandiose. Argentina-Nigeria in the interior of the soil was quite something. But the best games were not mine. We enjoyed Belgium-Brazil (and, in an old-fashioned way, I think Brazil was good). But my favorite was probably Belgium and Japan.
Tournament Player Rakitic? Kante? Mbappé? I turn to Eden Hazard and Luka Modric, especially because in true sports journalism, this judgment is made before it is finished. In the honor of this World Cup, could another rewrite be on the way after the final? Yes, it could. It may not have been the best but when it comes to what really happened during the month, what the players did, the impact that They had, the efficiency, the key moments, then Antoine Griezmann.
Goal of the tournament 1. Cheryshev. 2. Cheryshev. 3. Cheryshev. OK, OK, it's actually Toni Kroos or, better still, the winner of Belgium against Japan. Only, this is not for me: see also 'personal highlight', below
Highlight Watch the brutal beauty of Edinson Cavani's goal against Portugal , a one-two to 100 meters between him and Luis Suárez, the broken ball from one side of the field to the other and back, before flying into Cavani's face. In a stadium, I was rarely hit – and it was really like you had been hit – by a goal like that. And then, Felipe Baloy scores for Panama. Great.
Uruguayan Edinson Cavani scores his team's first goal against Portugal. Photography: Andrew Medichini / AP
The greatest disappointment In a word: Spain. Also, from a cynical point of view, I can not help but wonder what could have been for Belgium and Uruguay in the other half of the table – two teams that I would have liked to see arriving in the final. Off the field: not really the opportunity to experience Moscow, which, when I had too briefly known it, looked great. Or England-Colombia, from elsewhere
Most difficult out-of-field moment Being in A & E was disturbing for the kick-off of the English semifinal but I had left Russia so it probably does not matter. A cup, two tea bags, a teaspoon and no kettle : huh? The couple we thought had left the restaurant and returned home just as we were "borrowing" the bottle of wine still almost full that they had (or had not) left behind. Or how about the very, very first moment? Earth in Moscow late, turn on the phone on … Lopetegui did what, now ?!
What is now for England? Continue while recognizing reality under the factor of well-being. (The World Cup record in England is remarkably consistent.) Play and try to play: there are many positive things. Be nice again. Nice is good. And kind do not have to come last.
Nick Miller
Tournament Match Maybe just because I was there, but I was not more viscerally delighted by a match than Belgium against Japan. If anything summed up the strangeness of this World Cup, it was a knockout play that was returned by Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli
Tournament Player Luka Modric. To play as well as he would be remarkable under normal circumstances, but to do so with the imminent prospect of a lawsuit on his mind was staggering.
Goal of the tournament Christian Eriksen vs. Australia was probably the best I saw live, but just because it was so unusual I liked Benjamin Pavard against l & # 39; Argentina.
Personal Highlight The game was not really memorable in the end but I was in Brazil v Switzerland. Watching Brazil at a World Cup, it's like visiting some sort of revered monument: often not so impressive at first glance, but the story and the stories behind it are inevitable.
The greatest disappointment Morocco. I've been swept away by predictions before the tournament and I thought they might embarrbad Portugal and / or Spain, but their performances proved to be a little sluggish.
Moment of out-of-field. Well, other than the scandalous confiscation of my deodorant at Luzhniki. Oh, and I was also stopped at a subway station and charged with producing my pbadport, which I did not have on me. Brief visions of a future at the Great House of Vladimir paraded before my eyes but my press pbad proved to satisfy the thirst for administration
F Remembrance of Russia People were dancing in the streets of Moscow after Russia defeated Spain. The impromptu party that formed around an instrumental post-rock band in a park was a landmark event.
Photography: Mikhail Poshuyev / TASS via Getty Images
What is happening now for England? Here is a hot catch for you: I really do not know. In theory, it should be brilliant, a young and talented team that needs to be complemented by promising new talent, but how often do theories work in international football? I fear this is one of those long, hot and strange summers that will give the impression of not taking place in a few years
Barney Ronay
Tournament Match In Flesh, Spain against Russia. Perhaps the most unbalanced game I've ever seen and one of the strangest. Les gens sensés vont montrer que l'Espagne a perdu son manager et n'a tout simplement pas bien joué son système. Mais encore difficile de ne pas cirer sur les limites de la possession du football et l'agonie étrange de regarder l'Espagne pbader le ballon. Plus bien sûr l'hystérie de la Russie et les pénalités.
Joueur du tournoi Luka Modric. Meilleur joueur pour une toute petite nation en finale. Ran plus loin, âgé de 32 ans, que n'importe quel autre joueur de la Coupe du Monde à l'exception de son coéquipier Ivan Perisic. Mais bien sûr, il s'agit de l'engin avec Modric et de sa capacité à faire glisser un jeu dont le style de l'équipe était de la clbade la plus élevée. Le mettre dans cinq ou six autres équipes ici et ils auraient pu faire la finale aussi.
But du tournoi Ricardo Qaresma pour le seul joueur de curling de style trivela, une merveilleuse performance individuelle qu'il continue de faire année après année. Et la Belgique à la dernière minute contre le Japon pour le dernier but en équipe à haute pression, réalisé par le pbade laser de Kevin De Bruyne et le mannequin de Romelu Lukaku
Point culminant personnel L'absence de combat ou d'ennui pour mentionner les jeux d'esprit, les guerres de mots, les refus de poignée de main ou quoi que ce soit d'autre que le football.
La plus grande déception Obtenir une poignée Brésil. C'était autrefois une équipe de durs à cuire, de charmeurs et de coquins. Nílton Santos, Jairzinho, Romário, Leônidas et Carlos Alberto se retournent dans leurs tombes en observant l'actuel site de plongée et de pleurs. Et la moitié d'entre eux ne sont même pas morts
Moment de hors-champ le plus tranchant Après avoir beaucoup couru tôt – cinq vols en trois jours, cinq matchs en six jours – je me suis endormi brièvement sur un tabouret à un salon d'aéroport. Quand je me suis réveillé, je ne pouvais pas me souvenir avec certitude de la ville dans laquelle j'étais. J'ai regardé ma carte d'embarquement, mais je ne savais pas si c'était la bonne.
Le meilleur souvenir de la Russie Le football, les gens, la viande, la bière, la betterave, les rues larges, les immenses bâtiments, les bars nocturnes, les superbes supermarchés et le duo de danse folklorique de plusieurs conservatoires. la rue à Moscou une nuit et a exécuté une routine étonnante pour quelques roubles dans un chapeau. C'est de quelqu'un pour qui les mots "danse folklorique étonnante" ne trébuchent pas exactement de la langue
Que maintenant pour l'Angleterre? Cinquante ans de blessure
Andrew Roth
Match du tournoi L'Espagne-Portugal a lancé ce tournoi à la vitesse supérieure. L'Espagne par moments a joué le meilleur football de tous les pays de la Coupe du Monde et les deux équipes ont marqué de beaux buts, avec Cristiano Ronaldo en hausse sur son short et un coup franc sur le mur espagnol dans le temps additionnel. Très bon match nul
Image composite montrant la trajectoire du ballon de la botte droite de Cristiano Ronaldo dans le filet pour lui donner un coup du chapeau et le Portugal un match nul 3-3. Photographie: Kyodo News via Getty Images
Joueur du tournoi Probablement cela devrait aller à un défenseur ou même à un gardien de but, mais je vais opter pour Kylian Mbappé, dont la vitesse a été éblouissante.
But du tournoi Coup franc de Toni Kroos. Les pièces de jeu jouaient un rôle central et celui-ci était leur roi: une belle frappe d'un angle impossible exécutée avec une précision allemande fraîche. Le gif de ce gagnant (avec la réaction de Marco Reus) est hypnotisant. Aussi une mention honorifique au but de Denis Cheryshev contre la Croatie; Meilleure attaque russe depuis le cuirbadé Potemkin.
Point culminant personnel Ce devrait être la bacchbade de la ville après que le choc de la victoire de la Russie sur l'Espagne aux pénalités. Moscou est une ville extraordinaire mais n'est pas la plus amicale du monde. Voir un policier anti-émeute dire poliment à un fan du Bolchoï d'arrêter de vaporiser du champagne sur les pbadants a capturé l'esprit de cette nuit pour moi.
La plus grande déception Le Danemark contre la France. Toute chance de donner du repos aux joueurs lors d'un tournoi doit être difficile à pbader pour un manager, mais c'est une honte pour les fans de payer des centaines de dollars chacun pour aller voir un match qu'aucune équipe n'est venue jouer.
moment de champ Équilibrer la politique et le sport en tant que journaliste basé à Moscou. Beaucoup de fans ont blâmé les médias anglais pour des histoires effrayantes sur la Russie avant le tournoi, bien que je soupçonne qu'ils se réfèrent plus aux manchettes de tabloïd que notre couverture. En tout cas, nous devrions nuancer notre discussion sur la Russie, qui peut reconnaître une excellente Coupe du Monde tout en reconnaissant qu'elle ne décrit pas tous les aspects de la vie dans ce pays.
Souvenir de Russie Les fans sud-américains envahissent Moscou dans une émeute de couleurs et réalisent que nous avons pbadé un mois avec eux en ville.
Colombia fans brought colour and fun to the World Cup. Photograph: Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images
What now for England? I learned during the tournament that Pizza Hut once dedicated an entire commercial to England’s penalties problem. How great then that a young squad with years of play ahead of them have banished that particular demon. I’m not sure if football can come home during the Euros, but I look forward to finding out in 2020.
Daniel Taylor
Match of the tournament Spain 3-3 Portugal. Everything: wonder goals, Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick and so early in the competition it left the clear sense we were in for a special tournament.
Player of the tournament Luka Modric. The crowd’s reaction when he was named as the Golden Ball winner told its own story. One of those players – and they are rare – you always want on the ball.
Goal of the tournament Cristiano Ronaldo (the third one) v Spain. He blew out his cheeks. He hitched up his shorts. He knew damn well the world was watching. And then he put it in the top corner, past one of the greatest goalkeepers I have ever seen. Honorary mentions to Nacho (from the same game) and Benjamin Pavard (France v Argentina).
Personal highlight Seeing Russia in a new light (and yes, I know there’s another issue entirely when it’s not on its best behaviour), collecting my ticket for the final (always a privilege), beating Jamie Vardy at pool in a Nottingham Forest v Leicester City grudge match (in my head, anyway) and the little bits of spare time to look around St Petersburg and Moscow properly.
Biggest disappointment Not having time to look around properly and – this might surprise you – seeing so little football. That’s the problem when you are on the England beat: you tend to be in press conferences, writing against deadlines or mid-air (19 flights) when the other games are on. After 22 days in Russia I’d watched three live matches.
Trickiest off-field moment 1) The waitress in my hotel in Volgograd who didn’t speak a word of English and signalled that she would get a colleague to come over, then did a slit-eye gesture to show who she meant. What do you say? 2) The high-ranking FA official pointing out (with great suspicion) my Fjallraven T-shirt had a Sweden flag as its label. Five minutes before kick-off, England v Sweden.
Fondest memory of Russia How much Moscow has changed since I first came here with Leeds in 1999 and again for the Champions League final in 2008. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a city where there isn’t a single spot of litter. St Petersburg, too. In five weeks I’ve seen one homeless person. It makes me despair when I think of Manchester, Liverpool, London and the numbers on the streets back home.
What now for England? I’m torn. They were within half an hour of the final. Yet they also lost three out of seven games and seem incapable of beating any of the top teams. It wasn’t arrogant to say they were in the easier half of the draw, it was factual. Euro 2020 looks inviting, with both semi-finals and the final at Wembley, but I think England have blown the best chance they will ever get.
Jorge Valdano
Match of the tournament Belgium 2-1 Brazil.
Player of the tournament Luka Modric.
Goal of the tournament The collective move on the third Belgium goal against Japan.
Belgium’s Nacer Chadl celebrates after slotting home the winning goal against Japan, following a delightful dummy from Romelu Lukaku, second left, from Thomas Meunier’s pbad. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Personal highlight The madness provoked by Russia’s victory over Spain.
Trickiest off-field moment The sacking of JulenLopetegui two days before the start of the World Cup.
Fondest memory of Russia Russia itself: a fascinating country.
What now for England? Complete the journey they have just begun.
Shaun Walker
Match of the tournament The match I enjoyed the most was Iran v Portugal, because of the intense late drama. A 93rd-minute equaliser for Iran and then a stunning chance to win it in the 96th minute. Had Mehdi Taremi scored rather than hit the side-netting, Portugal would have been flying home and Iran would have won the group. The kind of tiny margin on which World Cup runs are decided.
Player of the tournament Luka Modric, for his own performances and for leading his Croatia team to the final. I watched Croatia’s first game, against Nigeria, and although they were largely uninspiring, even then Modric would occasionally pop up with an extraordinary 50-yard pbad.
Goal of the tournament Denis Cheryshev’s strike against Croatia in the quarter-final: a one-two with Artem Dzyuba before unleashing an unstoppable rocket from just outside the area. It was a beautiful goal by itself but a World Cup quarter-final that nobody expected Russia to be in was quite the time to score it.
Personal highlight Kieran Trippier’s free-kick against Croatia. I’d been perfecting my media-tribune neutrality up to that point but couldn’t resist celebrating when that went in. And for about an hour it allowed us to believe that maybe it actually, really, genuinely could be coming home.
Biggest disappointment It was sad not to see any of the African teams qualify from the group stage. Morocco in particular were devilishly unlucky in a tough group, as were Senegal.
Trickiest off-field moment It’s amazing how covering sports tournaments as a journalist seems to end up with the unhealthiest eating regimen imaginable, due to the food available in the media centres. I don’t think I ever want to see a Twix again.
Fondest memory of Russia I’ve lived in Russia for years and, while often reporting on gruesome and depressing stories, have tried to write about the more pleasant sides of life in Russia. For readers those pieces often get drowned out by all the terrible stuff going on, so it has been nice to watch so many people get to discover that fun, warm and exciting side of Russia that often gets hidden.
What now for England? The future looks positive, though what a shame they didn’t sneak past Croatia and into the final. I can’t imagine they will ever get as favourable a draw and anyway it’s hard to get very excited about anything to do with the next World Cup, given it’s in Qatar.
Jonathan Wilson
Match of the tournament Belgium 2-1 Brazil. A game that combined quality and drama won in part because of Belgium’s ability (the second goal, Thibaut Courtois’s saves), in part because of Roberto Martínez’s tactical switch to use Kevin De Bruyne as a false 9, and in part because they had the guts and resilience to hang on.
Player of the tournament Luka Modric. Nobody expected Croatia to reach the final and they could not have done so without their leader Modric, who pbaded the ball more than any other member of their squad and ran further than anyone in the tournament bar his own teammate Perisic.
Goal of the tournament Nacer Chadli, Belgium v Japan. It wasn’t just the slick interplay, the pace of the break or Romelu Lukaku’s movement; it was the sense of occasion, a beautiful goal to finish off a wonderful second half.
Personal highlight The final minutes of a tight game when you’re writing a match report to be filed on the whistle are always fraught, and especially when a major shock is brewing. You can’t quite believe Germany are going out, but with 10 minutes or so to go, you tentatively write your intro. Then, on 90 minutes, South Korea have a goal ruled out for what appeared an obvious offside. You type away, wondering why they’re making such a fuss. Then, out of the corner of your eye, you realise Toni Kroos touched the ball to Kim Young-gwon and that he is therefore onside. The entire press box seems to notice at the same time. There is moment of silence as the truth dawns on everybody – he has to give the goal and that means Germany, for the first time in 80 years, are out – then a flurry of keyboards being hammered. One of the great “Christ, this is happening …” moments
Biggest disappointment Spain. The Julen Lopetegui situation destroyed them.
Trickiest off-field moment Trying to maintain a sense of perspective and calm while a four-year-old bounces around the compartment screaming for the first eight hours of a 22.5-hour train journey from Kazan to St Petersburg.
Fondest memory of Russia Kazan, a beautiful and welcoming city that hosted a string of brilliantly dramatic games.
What now for England? Hopefully use the experience as a basis to begin integrating all the youth champions of last year as they begin to play regular league football, while simultaneously recognising the value of a sensible, practical manager and acknowledging Gareth Southgate’s tactical failings. But probably more of the same old nonsense.
