Reasons why Russia 2018 might be the most enjoyable world cup ever
FIFA World Cup 2018 is now in its final stages. While we are yet to find who wins the final prize, it has certainly brought us high levels of drama, unpredictability and emotion. The month-long tournament is already being touted as the best in recent times and Naman Mehra narrates a few factors that has made it so enjoyable to the footballing world.
Competitiveness
One of the major reasons this edition of the World Cup is garnering love, is the competitiveness among the teams. Almost all the games have been quite close, we have seen very few drubbings and the so-called minnow nations have put up a fight in each game they have played.
Rise of the underdogs
This World Cup has seen nearly all smaller footballing nations compete strongly against the traditionally stronger ones. This has introduced unpredictability and the games have been a delight to watch. This is not because the favourites have failed to fire, but more of the fact that the smaller footballing nations actually matched them on the pitch- physically, technically and tactically. A shining example of this is when Mexico outplayed and beat Germany in their opening game. Croatia taught Argentina a footballing lesson and Belgium’s first half performance against five-time winners Brazil in the quarters was among the best by any in the tournament. They have refused to stay beaten or put. They weren’t there just for the numbers and even ones who didn’t make the final stages like Japan and Iran or South Korea certainly had their moments.
Teams over Individuals
This is the first World Cup in my memory where few individual performances have been responsible for their team’s winnings and often it’s the better teams now getting the right results. A big example here would be Argentina’s Lionel Messi or Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who both did individually well but failed to inspire their teams to respectable positions. Strong team performances by the France and Uruguay proved too big an obstacle for the stars to pull through as their teams deservedly exited the tournament. Another example of excellent teamwork would be Belgium, who have relied on a host of players to perform as they have made the semis.
Close finishes
One of the most enjoyable facets of football is a close finish. A late goal, teams defending a one-goal lead and a great save by the goalie or even the passion shown by defenders at the end winning a last-ditch tackle. This World Cup has had a lot of such tight finishes, scenes that would live long in memory.
Belgium vs Japan was the pick of the lot with the former coming back from two goals to win it in the 94th minute. A few other games that deserve a mention include Brazil vs Belgium, Portugal vs Spain, Serbia vs Switzerland, Colombia vs England and Germany vs Sweden. A number of games in the knockout stages have been too close to call and decided on penalties.
Goals Galore
Goals define and ultimately separate the teams in the game. At the time of writing, we have had 62 out of the 64 games, and astonishingly only one game finished goalless so far. Also, all the 32 teams playing the WC finals in Russia managed to score at least twice.
Video Action Replay (VAR)
VAR introduced for the first time at a major international tournament had its share of sceptics but overall it has had an extremely positive impact. While there are still some areas of improvement, and the footballing world still needs to adjust to the technology, VAR has the potential to change the way the game is played.
It has majorly been on the right side at crucial situations and a good example of what it brought to this World Cup was seen in the closing moments of the Germany-South Korea game. With Germany needing just one goal to avoid elimination from group stages, South Korea found the net but it was ruled offside. A video review of the disallowed goal showed the ball actually came off a German defender and the goal stood in one of the crucial moments of the tournament.
VAR looks like is here to stay and make the game a fairer one and this World Cup has certainly been made enjoyable by the moments of drama VAR has added on to the games.
Stories
One of the favourite aspects of the football World Cup is the underlying overtones about how beautiful the game is and the way it is loved. Schools in Uruguay cancelled all classes during the games for the kids to watch the national side. Reports came in that Warsaw had trains standing at platforms post departure times as the passengers were watching the games. The Croatian Prime Minister flew economy to be in Russia to be able to watch the national side emulate the golden generation of ’98 and make it to the final. The stories behind Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri’s celebrations after their goals vs Serbia and the nod to the history between Albania and Serbia.
“The Albanian Eagle” celebrationFantastic Goals
This World Cup has had so many goals, and so many of them could have made the top 5 at any other edition. Edison Cavani’s curler vs Portugal (his 2nd that night) and the outrageous hit from Benjamin Pavard from France in the Round of 16 vs Argentina would be my pick of the lot. But others would have a huge bunch to choose from. Nacho vs Portugal, Diego Costa vs Portugal, Ronaldo’s free kick vs Spain, Aleksander Kolarov’s free kick vs Costa Rica, Toni Kroos’ last gasp free kick vs Sweden, Philippe Coutinho vs Switzerland, Takashi Inui vs Belgium.
Last gasp moments
Touched upon previously, this World Cup has had a lot of last minute dramas that have changed the fate of the game. Kroos’ winner vs Sweden. The counter attack from South Korea with Manuel Neuer upfield to eliminate Germany, Ronaldo’s equalizer vs Sweden, Belgium’s devastating counter attack vs Japan, Russia digging deep vs Croatia to equalize, Kasper Schmeichel’s penalty save vs Luka Modric, Yerry Mina’s equalizer vs England, Marcos Rojo’s winner vs Nigeria to keep Argentina in the tournament. These are moments we wouldn’t be able to forget.
Heartbreaks
With the good, comes the heartbreaks where a side gave it their all, but just couldn’t make it and this cup had plenty of them as well. Iran’s last minute missed opportunity that would have seen them through. Japan’s unbelievable performance ending in defeat after conceding in the 94th minute. Russia defying the odds and nearly making the semis to be denied on penalties. Kasper Schmeichel’s amazing penalty save vs Croatia and still not being able to qualify.
Host nation exceeding expectations
Expectations were little from the world no. 67 Russia as they hosted the cup, but they defied it all and nearly made it to the semis, outlasting nations like Germany and Argentina. That added to the flavour of the cup with crowds flocking to support their home nation and cheer for them.
Shots from the stands
The camera shots of the legends and the politicians brought a different aspect alive this World Cup. Who can forget Maradona’s celebrations vs Nigeria. Or the disdain from Klose as Germany crashed out of the World Cup. The celebrations from the Croatian PM as her nation won in the quarters. But the pick of the lot was Danish legend Peter Schmeichel celebrating his son’s heroics vs Croatia.
Club Performers finally stand up
We have often had players from leagues like the English Premier League (EPL) fail to deliver when it comes to the biggest stage. Many legends have been guilty of this, but this world cup proved to be an exception with players like Harry Kane, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne or N’Golo Kanté who are loved at their clubs, make the step up when it mattered.
Unexpected Keeper heroics
Loved and highly rated keepers in David De Gea and Neuer had inconsequential campaigns, often caught in embarrassing moments. The World Cup gave us some unexpected keeping heroes in Jordan Pickford from Everton. Or an old Igor Akinfeev. Or Danijel Subašić from Croatia. Some of their saves will live in memory long.
New Stars
Be it Kylian Mbappe punishing Argentina with pace. Or Inui getting Japan to be noticed. An injured Subašić with heroics for Croatia or Colombian Mina or the Russian Denis Cheryshev, this World Cup has given us new names to remember and cheer for.
Conclusion
Russia has been a great host, which has added on to the experience of this World Cup. While the month-long competition is now in its final stages, this cup has given us two unexpected semi-finalists in Belgium and Croatia, an English side finally meeting expectations. There has been unexpected drama and emotions. But possibly the thing I’ll take from the cup is the coming of age of the minnow nations. They’ve not only matched the traditional heavyweights but beaten them at their own game as well, boding well for the future of the game. Stars may no longer define teams, teams are now defining football.
About Naman Mehra
Naman Mehra is a follower of Arsenal in English Premier League and he follows European football and A-League as well. You can reach him at @naman_mehra on twitter
