The ups and downs of the World Cup: From Mbappe to Lopetegui and all that there is between

The 2018 World Cup ended on Sunday as France beat Croatia 4-2 at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Press Association Sport retraces some of the highlights of the tournament

Best game: France 4 Argentina 3 (last 16)

The Blues showed what they could be capable of arriving a thrilling clash against the # Argentina, Kazan. Angel Di Maria and Benjamin Pavard both scored special goals on both sides before the impressive Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in four minutes to put France in the quarterfinals

Top of the flops: Germany [19659014] Speechless ? Germany came out of the [# #WorldCup . #DieMannschaft #ZSMMN #KORGER 2-0 pic.twitter.com/FhN2QtNZmp

– Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) June 27, 2018

The Supporters mounted a miserably unexpected defense of the title that they won so impressive four years ago in Brazil. After losing their opening match against Mexico, Sweden's last defeat gave hope for progress, but Joachim Low's men returned home after a tasteless match against South Korea, losing 2-0. in Kazan. Best Goal: Benjamin Pavard (France)

? @ BenPavard28 ?

What a great way to score your first goal for your country @Hyundai_Global #WorldCupGOT

] ? TV Lists ? https://t.co/xliHcxWvEO
? Highlights ? https://t.co/LOdKDX2Cwn pic.twitter.com/XVAzzukGsd

– FIFA World Cup ™ (@ FIFAWorldCup) 30 June 2018

There were many beautiful long-range strikes, while Belgium's last-minute missed goal to beat Japan in the last 16 years was a superb effort. team. However, the way defender Pavard opened his international account for France against Argentina with a brilliant half-volley in the top corner was the highlight.

Worst game: France 0 Denmark 0 (Group C)

Today, we attended our first 0-0 of the tournament ☹️

Do not cry because it's over , smile because it happened ? #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/bAQszQVOzn

– FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018

Nineteen days before competing in the finals at the Luzhniki stadium, Les Bleus participated in the only draw of the World Cup. A highly-changed France team, already qualified in Group C, and Denmark, who needed a point to join them in the last 16, pbaded the motions to Moscow.

Best fans: Senegal

D-1 before the match against #POL Senegalese fans prepare pic.twitter.com/tmPAWtCesr

– Cynthia Nzetia, FIFA ( @FIFAWorldCupSEN) 18 June 2018

The host cities of Russia were inundated with the color and dynamism of all nations but, for the joy of living, Senegal was beaten – and that without mentioning the did that he picked up his litter at the exit of the ground. Special mention to the followers of Japan, who also cleaned up after themselves.

Hits: Kylian Mbappe & Harry Kane

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– England (@England) July 15, 2018

The captain of the England Harry Kane won the Golden Shoe after his six goals helped Gareth Southgate's men reach the semifinals. However, it is the French teenager Mbappe who grew up in Russia. The 19-year-old announced his arrival on the biggest stage with a series of electric displays and scored the fourth goal of France in the final

Missal: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Julen Lopetegui

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Two of the greatest football stars leave #WorldCup the same day as #ARG & #POR

But how will we remember the era of Leo #Messi & @Cristiano to Russia 2018?

After showing sparks of brilliance, we take a look at ? https://t.co/Rx804Qik21 pic.twitter.com/PncxoCHhTl

– FIFA World Cup (@ FIFAWorldCup) 30 June 2018

They may be considered the two best players on the planet, but the Argentine talisman Lionel Messi and Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo were home before the quarter-finals, so that the new generation was rising. They have, however, at least had the opportunity to present to Russia 2018 – Spain sacked manager Julen Lopetegui two days before their first match due to the announcement of Real Madrid that they 'll have. had hired.

VAR: The star or a step too far?

Controversial Penalty France vs. Australia In their first Group C match, it was the first time that the Referee Video Assistant system led to a modified decision at the World Cup – and the Review system found in the center of the final. While the Argentine referee Nestor Pitana needed more than a few replays to decide himself that it was an intentional handball by Ivan Perisic that allowed France to take the lead again, all things considered. VAR in Russia. Well, maybe.

Best free kick: Kieran Trippier

English defender Trippier kept his promise of "Bury Beckham" with a soft ball shot resting in the first minutes of the semi-final against Croatia – which ,

Battle of the Pandits

Me and My Companion ?❤️ pic.twitter.com/mkMf5Fy5Hw

– Ian Wright (@ IanWright0) July 12, 2018

The Depth and the quality of television badysis has probably never been higher, with the two leading national broadcasters supporting their reliable experts with new smart signatures. Alan Shearer continued to talk about common sense at the BBC, which also benefited from the insights of Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Alex Scott. There was a lot of friendly jokes in the ITV studio – especially between Ian Wright and Roy Keane. Scores also climbed in England with 26.6 million viewers for the ITV Three Lions semifinal and 19.64 million viewers for coverage of the BBC win over Sweden in the quarter-finals

Howlers: Taxi for Hugo

Lloris waited for the final to ensure the presence of a star on the Bloopers track of the World Cup. 2018, while his poor attempt at clearance allowed Mario Mandzukic to take the advantage. The guardian, however, was later on the man to lift the trophy.

Best result: Danijel Subasic

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove, while the British number one Jordan Pickford made memorable saves – and not only during a shooting session at the goal against Colombia. However, it was the slightest touch on the part of Croatian goalkeeper Subasic to push Kane 's effort on a post – second after rebuffing a feeble effort from the English captain – who turned out to be the only one. most telling stop of the World Cup, without which the semi-final could have had a very different result

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? sorry …

– Mats Hummels (@matshummels) 27 June 2018

The German Mats Hummels sums up the grief of his country after their elimination with a single word – sorry

It hurts a lot. It'll hurt for a while. We can be proud and we will come back. Thank you for your support. #ThreeLions #ENG #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/mJKOWtAOlK

– Harry Kane (@HKane) 11 July 2018

Captain of England Kane, meanwhile, echoed the feelings of a nation when he pondered the determination to come back stronger after more semifinal heartache – which was loved more than 191,000.

The tournament in figures

… [19659021] France won the #WorldCup ! #FRA #FRA #FRA pic.twitter.com/jAmXCvQDNe

– FIFA World Cup ™ (@FIFAWorldCup) – July 15, 2018

169 – Total number 64 – Croatia's ranking in the world rankings of FIFA, the lowest-ranked nation to reach the final of the World Cup

6 – goals for the English striker Kane, who won the Golden Boot

29 – penalty awarded, which sets a new record

2 – the number of times France has now won the World Cup

Tournament Team:

Golden Ball Prize adidas:

?Luka MODRIC ( # CRO )
DANGER O ((19459076) #BEL )
?Antoine GRIEZMANN ( #FRA ) #WorldCup pic.twitter.com / KQSRiwUznh

– FIFA World Cup ™ (@FIFAWorldCup) 15 July 2018

Courtois (Belgium); Varane (France), Maguire (England), Vertonghen (Belgium); Trippier (England), Kante (France), Hazard (Belgium), Modric (Croatia), Golovin (Russia); Mbappe (France), Kane (England).

Press Association