Just over two weeks have passed since France's golden generation came of age and lifted the game's most prestigious prize. Although the withdrawal symptoms are real one need only cast their eye back on the four weeks of football we were gifted this summer . What the tournament as a whole lacked in quality it more than made up for in entertainment. In the age of social media it was the most engaging World Cup to date. Trends were set, VAR debuted, stars were born and shocks were aplenty but what were some of the highlights?
TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
GK - JORDAN PICKFORD
The Everton man certainly came of age in this tournament. Although dimunitive in stature as pointed out by Belgium's Thiabaut Courtois the English goaltender made up for this in bravery and presence alone. The English goalkeeping position has always been one under huge public scrutiny but the Sunderland boy has ensured with some valour performances against Colombia and Sweden that the English faithful can hold confidence in him for years to come.
RB - SIME VRSALJIKO
Although both Pavard and Trippier had great tournaments it was the Atleti man who impressed the most for me. More than capable of filling in as an extra center half and always positionally astute, Vrsaljiko in every game still managed to pace up and down Croatia's right flank and it was his tireless performances most notably against England which freed up space for captain Luka Modric to stamp his authority on the game.
CB - DEJAN LOVREN
One of the world's best he may not be but no one can argue over Lovren's presence in this team. The Liverpool man was an impenetratable fortress in Croatia's backline and although he impressed defensively he displayed great poise in possession and was largely tasked with breaking the opposition press and feeding messrs Modric and Rakitic in the Croatia midfield.
CB - RAPHAEL VARANE
For a 25 year old there are fewer players in the game as decorated as the Real Madrid center half. France's World Cup success can now join the haul of Champions Leagues and La Liga titles which Varane can now boast. Although in his foundation years he was prone to mistakes and largely unavailable due to injury the Madrid man has become a reliable cornerstone of Deschamps side and is widely touted to be the next French captain succeeding Lloris.
LB - LUCAS HERNANDEZ
April 26th this year is a date that won't mean much to the majority of us but one which the Atleti man will not forget in a hurry. Due to injuries and suspensions Diego Simeone's hand was forced and he was compelled to play their then fourth choice center half in the left full position. Coached during the game by Godin and Gimenez, Lucas adapted quickly and relished the challenge. This did not pass the eye of Deschamps and in the warmup games prior to their opener versus Australia, the dependable Lucas was placed in the side ahead of the marmite figure of Benjamin Mendy. As each game passed he improved and at 22 can look forward to a bright career should he continue to flourish.
CM - N'GOLO KANTE
There is not much to say which has not been said about the Chelsea man. There are not enough superlatives that underline the importance of the Parisien to the French and Chelsea setup.s Each time Kante plays you expect a 9 or 10/10. With more energy than a duracell bunny Kante flourished throughout and when colleagues and opponents alike wavered in their attempts it was the Chelsea man who time and time again came to the fore.
CM - PAUL POGBA
Two summers ago many questioned the then record transfer fee Manchester United had forked out for the French starlet. Although he has underwhelmed throughout the following two club seasons, he went some way throughout the tournament in Russia in justifying his astronomical fee. He embodied every bit the midfielder Mourinho craved to forge him into. Positionally adept, focus and exquisite array of passing were just a few of the qualities which Pogba displayed in abundance during the tournament. Manchester United fans and players alike will hope he can repeat the same trick for club come next season given the chance.
CM - LUKA MODRIC
Off pitch scandals aside there are fewer likeable players than the Madrid maestro particular when in possession of a football. More than deserving of the player of the tournament, some circles believe the Zadar man can too this year break up the Ronaldo/Messi axis which has dominated the Ballon D'Or gong for many a year. Given his age and looming jail sentence in what could possibly be his final World Cup no Croatian could fault the Madrid man guilty of not pouring every ounce of his sweat into a maiden World Cup triumph for his home nation.
RW - KYLIAN MBAPPE
Golden Boy - this tournament will forever be etched in history as the one where PSG sensation Kylina Mbappe left his mark. The PSG man tore up the opposition on numerous occasions and was the difference maker against Peru and Argentina in the process breaking long held records by Pele. PSG's new no.7 will be hoping his rapid rise to prominence shows not ends of letting up.
CF - ROMELU LUKAKU
Derided among many critics for his Premiership performances for Manchester United, Lukaku displayed in Russia an all round nature to his game. Not only did he do the expected with his tally of four goals he also contributed effectively to Martinez' system and was just more than a mere target man. The Brussles born striker who has been known to be selfish at the best of times was anything but during the Red Devils display in Russia. This was most evident in his performance versus Brazil where he was the counter attacking outlet time and time again on the right flank exploiting the space Marcelo vacated frequently. Also too was his moment of genius in the final moments of the game versus Japan where Lukaku had the awareness to step over the oncoming ball for teammate Nacer Chadli to finish and snatch a last minute winner.
LW - EDEN HAZARD
The Chelsea man could have been forgiven for having sub par tournament given all the speculation surrounding a potential move to Real Madrid however the Belgian captain proved once again why he is one of the most revered players worldwide. Hazard was his usual mecurial, genius self and provided us with one of the performances of the tournament with his display versus Brazil being likened to that of Diego Maradona in 1986 versus the Belgians. Hazard certainly proved a few of his doubters wrong with his performances in Russia.
NOTABLE MENTIONS
Benjamin, Diego Godin, Juan Quintero, Philiipe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann and Harry Kane among others can all count themselves as unlucky for having missed out on the XI.
STAR PLAYER
Luka Modric
BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER
Kylian Mbappe
SURPRISE PLAYER
TAKASHI INUI - the 30 year old Japanese player was relatively unknown outside his home country and La Liga prior to the tournament. He can now rest assured that he has caught the world's attention with some of his performances in Russia. Dynamic and fluid; Inui controlled the Japanese tempo from the left wing coming into on his favoured right occupying the no.10 position. and interchanging so frequently with Shinji Kagawa. His performances were consistent right throughout and he contributed to two fine goals with strikes against Senegal and Belgium. The man highly rated by Brazil legend, Zico can count himself as unlucky having missed out on a place in the team of the tournament. Real Betis signing of Inui on a free prior this summer's tournament could prove yet to be one of the most astute transfer deals completed in recent years.
SURPRISE PERFORMANCE
CHO HYUN-WOO - yes I did not know his name before the tournament and am not likely to remember it now after. However the South Korea goalkeeper's performance throughout his country's stay in Russia was one he ought to be applauded for. Going into the tournament he was third choice and only springboarded into the side before their opener versus Sweden due to the coaching staff's concern regarding the Scandinavian's physical threat. Solid against Wweden and Mexico, it was not until matchday three did South Korea's man give one of the finest goalkeeping performances in recent years with his man of the match heroics in his nations's historic win versus Germany. Hyun-Woo saved all six of the German's shots on goal.
SURPRISE TEAM
JAPAN - save for the sportmanship they displayed in their final ten minutes versus Poland the Samurai players and fans won many plaudits throughout their stay in Russia. On the pitch they were a breath of fresh air and although positionally aware and hard working they possessed a naivety and braveity in possession of the ball and this was none more apparent than their heartbreaking round of 16 defeat to Belgium where they were sucker punched wby a cruel last minute Belgian winner. The creative fulcrum of Kagawa, Inui and Honda all illustrated their apparent talents throughout and impressed one and all. The neutral's love for the Japanese also extended as far as their fans who after their match versus Senegal provided us with one of the ever lasting memories of the tournament as the fans of both nations stayed back after the game to clean the stands.
MOMENT OF THE TOURNAMENT
CRISTIANO RONALDO: Day 2 of the tournament in the Sochi heat, prior to kickoff CR7 had just been informed of the eight figure sum he owed the Spanish tax authorities. In the 88th minute against Spain, Ronaldo lined up a free kick as his Portugal side trailed their arch rivals 3-2 with Ronaldo netting both of his side's goals. In a tricky group along with Iran and Morocco it was a game Portugal could afford to lose. Ronaldo netted to complete his hatrick and tie the game past the hapless De Gea with his trademark technique and unbelievable execution. Unlike Portugal's performances in the tournament, Ronaldo's goal will surely be remembered for many a year to come.
GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT
BENJAMIN PAVARD (FRANCE V ARGENTINA): very rarely do you see a goal of such exquisiteness and technique in a game of such magnitude, even rarer do you see a full back capable of that. But that's what the French right back achieved in their round of 16 battle versus Messi and Argentina. France were trailing the Argentine's just after half time and all the momentum seemed to lie against France however Pavard's right footed strike off the outside of his boot proved to be the catalyst for France to overcome their opponents and along with being the best was arguably the most important of their campaign too.
FUNNIEST MOMENT
MICHY BATSHUAYI: while the Chelsea man's finishing provides many a neutral with constant laughter from time to time it was the moment which succeeded Adnan Januzaj's fine strike versus England which provided the greatest laugh of them all. Batshuayi picked up the ball and launched it recklessly of his right boot only to rebound off the post and hit the Belgian square in the face. This GIF is likely to last for many a year to come.
SADDEST MOMENT
ANDRES INIESTA: there are few other players past and present that can boast the legacy of the Bracelona great. It was very unbefitting then that in what was the ex-Barcelona man's final appearance for Spain was a round of 16 defeat on penalties versus hosts, Russia. While few neutrals find it hard to find sympathy for Iniesta given his international and club triumphs over the years it was of great sadness to many of his admirers that the Spaniard now departs for pastures in Japan unlikely to feature on any of our screens for the forseeable future.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
GERMANY: Although Messi's and Ronaldo's inability to claim football's most coveted prize comes a close second I challenge anyone to point out to me a bigger shambles that what Die Mannschaft were throughout and in fact after their stay in Russia. What was an internal state of affairs has now turned into a national crisis. Sub standard performances against Mexico and South Korea saw Joachim Low's side return home early. However it was the treatment of start such as Mezut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan pre ,intra and post tournamnet from the German football powers and political authorities which has caused much scorn and criticism worldwide. The Turkish born duo met with Turkey's prime minister Erdogan prior to the tournament which was not well received nationwide at the time. Germany's exit over a month later was then pinned on the furor surrounding Ozil from the German FA much to the behest of player and public alike. Ozil has since retired and if Germany are to replicate their 2014 success in Brazil anytime soon they first best get their house in order away from the pitch.
LEGACY
This World Cup was one of the most memorable ones in recent years for a variety of reasons and the footballing public had cause for few complaints throughout the entirity of the tournament. In future years will we look back and see this World Cup with the success of teams like Belgium and Croatia showing that size and population need not be a predeterminor for success? Or perhaps will one look at this tournament showing the effect which a long club season can have on players leading to international teams to be more expertly coached and tactically astute given the already narrow margin for error involved. There are very few minnows now that participate in the World Cup, will we continue to see the trends of nations such as Mexico and Switzerland continue to compete against the very best? Such shocks are diminished when you see both sets of sides had in fact over 270 Champions League appearances among their players. Can Kylian Mbappe or Luka Modric break the Ballon D'Or duopoly between Messi and Ronaldo later this year? Or could be this the start of a new French dominance, Deschamps team became the youngest side since Pele's Brazil of 1970 to win the tournament and rest assured neither Deschamps or the litter of young talent at his disposal will have no intention of letting up anytime soon.