Golden Ball
Tincho: Luka Modric (Croatia)
Pretty unanimous at this point. Arguably the best midfielder in the World who had a tremendous World Cup as he led his nation to their first final. Magical midfielder from start to finish who seemed to have two extra lungs which allowed him to keep his high intensity over the course of 120 minutes on three separate occasions. One of the few World class players that exceeded our expectations for the tournament. Croatia’s heart and spirit in a 5’8, 146 lbs body form. Undoubtedly the player of the tournament.
Cam: Luka Modric (Croatia)
Luka Modric fully deserved the Golden Ball after taking his team to the finals of the World Cup, the best finish in the countries history. Modric along with his goal scoring ability ran more miles than another player at the World Cup and his ability to expose gaps and play prefect passes were the main reasons Croatia were able to advance that far. He also converted three of his four penalties to help Croatia advance through the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals.
James: Luka Modric (Croatia)
Even though it makes more sense to give this to a player on the winning side, it’s hard to take this award away from Luka Modric. He was the key to Croatia’s inspirational run to the final. His ability to distribute, control the tempo and come up with a goal when it’s needed all played a part in him taking home the Golden Ball. Even when he had his extra time penalty stopped against Denmark, he stepped up in the shootout with ice in his veins.
Modric has been a world class midfielder for some time now but often overshadowed by the flashier type of central midfielder. Modric is a man who means business who deserves to put the Golden Ball and silver medal alongside his Champions League winners’ medals.
Quinn: Luka Modric (Croatia)
Luka Modric is well deserving of the Golden Ball. He has been my favorite midfielder for years and I have always tried to mirror my play after his. I admire his vision up and down the field, finding players making runs most others would not even think of. He can turn a calm play into a thrashing attack with one single pass. He is very calm on the ball and his quick one touch passes are something I enjoy watching very much. He isn’t the most theatrical offensive player, his feints and changes of direction create the space he needs. He is unpredictable and hard to defend because wherever he is on the field, he will get the ball to go wherever he wants.
Best Keeper
Cam: Thibault Courtois (Belgium)
The Chelsea man made the most saves of any shot stopper at the tournament, helping his team to a third-place finish. His best performance came in the quarterfinals vs Brazil making eight saves including one acrobatic save in the dying minutes of the game. Other than his save, Courtois was able to use his size to take command of the six-yard box, along with his indicts to start the counter-attack he fully deserved the Golden Glove.
James: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
With three clean sheets and only six goals conceded over seven games, Thibaut Courtios is an easy pick for this. Winner of the Golden Glove, Courtios had a stellar tournament with 27 saves and coming up with a big one when needed. His save against Neymar in stoppage time of the quarterfinal is arguably the save of the tournament. This tournament could be a huge boost in a potential move from Chelsea to one of the Spanish giants.
Quinn: Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico)
I want to say that solely because of his performance against Germany, the best goalkeeper was Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico. He took German shots left and right and blocked them all. His clean sheet led to the Mexican upset of Germany and people STILL underrate him as a goalkeeper. Another notable goalie not being talked about is Kasper Schmeichel. Even though his last game was the loss to Croatia in penalties, he still played well enough that I would consider his performance one of the best. Blocking a penalty from the Golden Ball winner Luka Modric is no easy task. That game could have been a breeze if it weren’t for the heroics of the Denmark keepers blocks. Big shout out to the keeper of the tournament, Thibaut Courtois, as well.
Tincho: Thibaut Courtois
This one could’ve been a toss up. Several keepers made a case for themselves including World Cup winner Hugo Lloris, Croatia’s Subasic, Uruguay Fernando Muslera and even Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa. In the end, I think Courtois made more crucial saves over the course of the tournament and had an impressive game against Brazil including a handful of saves in the last 15 minutes to help keep the lead. The reason I put Courtois over Lloris was the fact that Courtois was tested a lot more over the course of the tournament. Belgium’s defense improved as the tournament went on whereas France and Uruguay’s defense was very solid from the start. At the end of the day, Belgium wouldn’t have gotten to where they got without Courtois massive saves.
Best Game
Quinn: Spain vs Portugal (Group Stage Game 1)
Like the best goal section, there are so many to choose from it is ridiculous. This World Cup was filled with last minute winners, tragic own goals, and major upsets. My personal favorite would have to be one of the first games of the tournament, Portugal vs. Spain. This game featured 6 goals (one of which is in my top two of the entire tournament) and it was an absolute thriller till the very end. Ronaldo’s hat trick was also in this game which was exciting to see as well. It was back and forth all 90 minutes and even though it ended in a tie, it was still one of the more exciting games of the tournament. The Mexico upset of Germany was also one of my favorites. Only one goal was scored but Germany had countless chances to tie it up but Mexico’s goalkeeper Ochoa had magnificent saves that kept Mexico alive thanks to Lozano’s goal
Tincho: Argentina vs France (Round of 16)
France was coming in as the clear favorites to advance but with an inspired Messi leading Argentina anything could happen. Over the course of 90 minutes, the game provided us with non-stop excitement on both ends of the pitch. Two World class strikes, a wonderful counter that led to a penalty and a late goal which brought the game back to life. Despite being locked down by Kante for most of the game, Messi was able to find Aguero with a wonderful ball in the dying moments of the game. It was also the game in which Mbappe really exploded this World Cup. A seven goal thriller between two of the most talented teams on paper to start the Round of 16 that did not disappoint. Well…. It left me disappointed but that’s besides the point..
Cam: Belgium vs Japan (Round of 16)
Drama by every meaning of the word. Before the match started, you had a Belgium team that cruised through the group and Japan who had become one of the most likably teams at the tournament. The match did go 90 minutes but didn’t pick up until the second half. Japan snatched two quick goals to take the lead with 35 minutes left to play. A few changes by Roberto Martinez change Belgium’s approach and the Red Devils were back in it after two goals in six minutes. Eiji Kawashima pulled off great save after great save and when tested Courtois responded with a few saves of his own. Heading into the final minute of stoppage time Belgium than show how to properly conduct a counter-attack. One dribble, seven touches, three passes, and nine seconds between four players was all it took to take the game with Nacer Chadli scoring with no time left on the clock. Romelu Lukaku, who didn’t touch the ball, made the play after dragging the left-back infield and his dummy let the ball fall to Chadli. A truly epic game finished off with a wonderful goal.
James: Argentina vs France (Round of 16)
The first game of the knockout stages was an absolute treat. Although it would’ve been more entertaining as semifinal or final, France v Argentina will go down as the best of this tournament. This was the first for France, on the tougher side of the bracket, which proved them worthy of being world champions.
Griezmann opened the scoring for the French before an Angel Di Maria wonder strike equalized for Argentina before halftime. After Argentina took a lead early in the second half, French fullback Benjamin Pavard matched, or bettered, Di Maria’s strike to level for France. Kylian Mbappe would shine the brightest with a second half brace to send France into the last eight.
Best Goal
Tincho: Cristiano vs Spain (Group Stage Game 1) and Pavard vs Argentina (Round of 16)
It was impossible for me to chose between these two. In a World Cup filled with amazing goals, it was difficult to even narrow it down to two. Nevertheless, I chose these two not just because of the way they hit the ball, the angle in which the ball was hti and the importance of the goal but how difficult it is to replicate that exact shot.
Cristiano’s free kick was nothing short of amazing. Though he is not the reliable free kick taker he once was, Cristiano proved that he can still bang these in from time to time. With the game coming to an end, it was Cristiano’s unstoppable free kick that rescued a point from Portugal. A win for Spain could’ve sentenced the group very early on but thanks to that tie, the group would eventually be decided down to the last five minutes of the third game. What else can we even say about this beauty? Summed up Cristiano Ronaldo’s last two years to perfection.
As an Argentina fan, Pavard’s goal ripped my heart out. Right as Argentina had somehow taken the lead and were starting to play better, Pavard came in with that perfectly hit strike that swung the momentum back in favor of France. I think people don’t seem to realize just how perfect his shot was. The way in which he had to position his body to make sure he didn’t hit it too high. How he hit it with the outside of his foot to add that spin to it. How he timed it to perfection because if he had hit it too early or too late, the ball could’ve spiraling over the goal. A once in a million goal that eventually led to France’s victory. A World class strike.
James: Nacer Chadli v Japan (Round of 16)
While the finish was simple, Chadli’s dramatic winner against Japan is my goal of the tournament. After Belgium shockingly went down 2-0 to Japan, they stormed back with a second half comeback capped off with Chadli’s stoppage time winner. From Courtios’ hands to the back of the night in 10 seconds, a finer team goal won’t be scored.
Courtios’ distribution. De Bruyne’s pace and vision. Meunier’s cross. Lukaku’s dummy. Chadli’s finish. Roberto Martinez couldn’t have drawn up a better counter-attack if he tried.
Quinn: Pavard vs Argentina (Round of 16) and Nacho vs Portugal (Group Stage Game 1)
There were so many beautiful goals in the last month that it is almost too much to handle. I am extremely indecisive already so this is super difficult. I have sat here watching my two favorite goals over and over again and cannot decide between the two. So I will have to go with a tie for the Goal of the World Cup. My choices are Pavard’s volley against Argentina and Nacho’s volley against Portugal. Both similar in some ways. Right-footed half volleys to the far post that looked as if they would go wide but curled back in. Nacho’s hit the post and bounced all the way across the goal, I don’t know about you but any shot that hits the inside of the post and shoots back across the mouth of the goal gives me goosebumps. Pavard’s came at a big point in the game that helped boost the French to a victory so that adds to its brilliance.
Cam: Denis Cheryshev vs Croatia
A big goal in a big game. Cheryshev who may have not seen the field if Alan Dzagoev didn’t get injured in the first game of the tournament. Cheryshev came in to score twice and establish himself in the team. A few games later, Cheryshev starts just near the half way line, dribbles past one and plays a one two with his striker. Cheryshev receives the ball dribbles past another and unleashs a powerful strike from over 20 yards out into the top corner leaving the goalkeeper no chance. This strike came out of nowhere and was in my opinion the best goal of the tournament in a World Cup full of superb strikes.
Biggest Surprise
Cam: Russia
The host nation were the best surprise at the World Cup. The lowest ranked country at the tournament made a statement in their first game coming out and winning 5-0 against a poor Saudi Arabia side. The Russian were seen by many as walk overs with former champions Uruguay and Mo Salah’s Egypt to advance out of the group. Russia sealed passage to the knockout stage just after two games and were given the tough task of Spain. Shockingly Russia beat the favorites on penalties send many former World Cup winners home. Altough the game may have not been pretty Russia completed their task and made their country proud.
James: Croatia
While it may seem obvious, it has to be Croatia. After needing a playoff just to qualify for the tournament, a coach who took over toward the end of the qualifying campaign, and being in arguably the “Group of Death,” not many expected Croatia to achieve what they did.
Quinn: Croatia
The biggest surprise of the World Cup for me is probably how far Croatia made it. Don’t get me wrong, they are a fantastic team. However, there were plenty of other teams that were expected to be in the Final over Croatia. They fought until the very end of every single match, playing an extra 30 minutes in three matches in a row and still advanced to the final. Another notable surprise was the WC host themselves, Russia. They came into the tournament being the worst ranked team and made it out of group stages, the home country should be proud of its national team.
Tincho: Croatia
I know most people are saying Russia is the biggest surprise of the tournament and although I agree, I won’t make you read yet another article on how Russia shocked the World. To me, Croatia was the biggest surprise. Not to say I didn’t expect Croatia to have a good World Cup. I simply didn’t think they were “World Cup final” material until the brackets started coming together. We’re talking about a team that finished second to Iceland in their qualifiers group and had to beat Greece to make the tournament. It was no surprise that Croatia had World class players but it was the role player’s performances and the overall team’s performance that came as a surprise to me. A tournament as short as the World Cup is all about temporary form and confidence. A team or player that can start off on the right foot and can begin to gain confidence can shine. Their victory against Argentina not only helped them win the group, it installed that belief in them that they could beat anyone that stood in their way. Let’s not forget that collapses by Argentina, Spain and Germany gave Croatia a wide open door to the final in which the most difficult opponent they faced was England. Had those teams performed as well as we expected, Croatia doesn’t make the final.
Biggest Dissapointment
James: Spain
Spain was given gifts in this tournament that they made nothing of. Even with the managerial drama days before the tournament, they were still in a group they were always going to progress from. Portugal missed opportunities to win the group and be on the easy side of the bracket. Spain failed to capitalize on being on the side of the bracket many thought they would be able to reach the final from. David De Gea wasn’t at his best by any means. Failing to beat host Russia in the round of 16 is something the Spanish will rue, especially following their even more lackluster performance in Brazil 2014.
Quinn: Germany
I am sure many feel this way, but Germany was the most disappointing team in this tournament in my opinion. Regardless of this “curse” that the reigning champs do not make it out of the group stages, they had a roster far too skilled and experienced to be knocked out without even a game further than the group stage. Their shocking loss to Mexico set them up for failure in the group stage. Not only did they win it all four years ago, but they had such a good squad that they were one of the favorites to win it all again this year. Their departure in the group stage left football fans across the world stunned.
Cam: Germany
The reigning World Champions flew to Russia expecting some hardware returning with them. It would be the complete opposite for the four-time world champions. After dropping the opening match to a lackluster Mexican side, they responded with a late victory over Sweden. This left the simple route for Germany, win and your in. Goal difference worries were thrown away due to the 3-0 Sweden victory over Mexico. Yet, with 80 minutes play against South Korea the score was still 0-0. The German conceded off a Toni Kroos error know needing to score two in the final ten minutes. The couldn’t and went on to concede another, putting them at the bottom of the table. Maybe the curse of the reigning champions is real.
Tincho: Argentina
Germany’s elimination took over all the international headlines but most people forget that Argentina needed a great strike from Marcos Rojo himself to make it out of a much easier group. Even with the best player in the World, Argentina struggled in all three group stage games and ironically, their best game came against France. My biggest concern with Germany before the tournament was their lack of a dominant “9” and a game changing player. Eventually, both of those factors came back to haunt them in pivotal games against Mexico and especially South Korea. Though Argentina did not have necessarily a great squad as previous years, they still had an in-form Sergio Aguero, a rising Dybala, a golden boot winning Messi and Higuain coming off the bench. With Messi dropping more to the midfield to help create, Argentina’s midfield could be overlooked and the team could still make some form of noise. However, critical injuries to Sergio Romero and Manuel Lanzini would end up being critical. Not to mention Sampaoli atrocious starting lineups which included an out of shape Enzo Perez, out of form WIlly Caballero and limited minutes to Pavon and Dybala. Argentina had a team that could’ve made the quarterfinals and even semifinals by the way that the bracket was designed. But alas, a poor start to the tournament led to their premature exit.
Team of the Tournament
Tincho:
Cam:
Quinn:
James:
