Best Player
Martin Laurence -- Eden Hazard: Not just because he’s the highest rated player according to WhoScored! In a World Cup in which the attacking stars on show were generally hit and miss, Hazard was the most consistent by a distance in my opinion.
🥈 according to @adidasfootball
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 15, 2018
🥇 according to @WhoScored
Eden Hazard of #BEL was our highest rated player (8.53) at the 2018 #WorldCup 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/HPvjgEGeyf
Ben McAleer -- Eden Hazard: Was at his scintillating best over the duration of the World Cup and earned a better WhoScored rating (8.53) than any other player in Russia. Scored three and assisted two in what was a hugely impressive tournament for the Belgian.
Josh Wright -- Raphael Varane: Raphael Varane didn’t have his best game in the final but he was brilliant for France overall. His performance against Belgium in the semi-finals was personally my favourite individual display of the tournament. Varane only made one tackle at the 2018 World Cup but his positional play was generally outstanding. Aside from a few moments in Sunday’s final, the 25-year-old was usually in the right place at the right time to alleviate danger on France’s defence. The Real Madrid centre-back only committed two fouls in 630 minutes of action and has now added a World Cup trophy to his Champions League winners’ medal from May. A decent few months for the Frenchman…
Best Goal
Martin Laurence -- Benjamin Pavard vs Argentina: There were some great strikes this summer, and I loved Nacho’s hit against Spain - striking both posts on its way in - but it was another right-back and equally unlikely scorer that gets my vote. The technique of Pavard’s goal - the ball is still spinning somewhere - was unreal and its importance to the win over Argentina for the eventual champions makes it the best.
Ben McAleer -- Lionel Messi vs Nigeria: There was a number of stunning goals scored at the World Cup, but Lionel Messi’s against Nigeria wins top gong here. Ever Banega’s ball was perfectly weighted, yet for Messi to cushion it and take the pass away from the defender with the same leg in one fluid move before executing a fine finish with his weaker foot was world class.
Josh Wright -- Cristiano Ronaldo vs Spain: There were a lot of amazing goals at the 2018 World Cup but my favourite was Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick goal in Portugal’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain in the group stage. There was so much to love about the goal. Not just because it was scored in the 88th-minute to draw level with rivals Spain, but the nature of the strike was so interesting. Nine times out of 10, Ronaldo goes straight over the wall but, on this occasion, he bent the ball round the wall. It’s best illustrated by Sergio Busquets’ reaction on the end of Spain’s wall. The Barcelona midfielder anticipates Ronaldo’s usual free-kick style by jumping vertically before desperately sticking his head out to meet the curl. He was too late.
Best Breakthrough
Martin Laurence -- Harry Maguire: Imagine an England side without Maguire in it now. You can’t can you? His ‘slab head’ makes up 90 per cent of the starting XI and was literally the best weapon the Three Lions had this summer. Southgate’s side caused havoc at set pieces and the Leicester centre-back was the cause of some chaotic and at times ludicrous defending on route to the semi-finals.
Ben McAleer -- Cho Hyun-woo: Put in a man of the match performance in the historic 2-0 win over Germany and undoubtedly raised his profile significantly with three notable outings in Russia. Club side Daegu FC could well struggle to retain his services.
Josh Wright -- Gareth Southgate: Gareth Southgate's appointment seemed underwhelming at the time and few people, myself included, didn't have any expectations of him going into the World Cup, but he has really won me over, as well as an entire nation. He handled everything perfectly, speaking eloquently on various subjects, not least fixing the disconnect with supporters. England are now a team supporters can finally get behind and it’s testament to the work he’s done in eight months in charge.
Best Game
Martin Laurence -- Belgium 3-2 Japan: A bit of a curve ball perhaps, but Spain-Portugal was too early to carry any real meaning despite being an outstanding match and France-Argentina was one of the few I missed unfortunately. Japan’s last 16 match with Belgium may have only come to life in the second half but the drama of the Red Devils comeback was crucial to the latter stages remaining competitive and there were great goals from Inui and Chadli too.
Ben McAleer -- France 4-3 Argentina: Few expected such an open encounter when France faced Argentina in the first last-16 game, yet an end-to-end match up between two of football’s heavyweights was my match of the tournament. Angel Di Maria and Benjamin Pavard scored two great goals, Kylian Mbappe made Marcos Rojo look a rank amateur, while Federico Fazio was… well… Federico Fazio. One of the best matches in World Cup history and my favourite at Russia 2018.
Josh Wright -- Colombia (3)1-1(4) England: It wasn’t the best game from a technical standout, but England’s penalty shoot-out win over Colombia was the game I enjoyed most. From despair when Yerry Mina equalised in injury time to utter fear when the referee signalled for penalties. We never win on spot-kicks, but, somehow, we managed it on this occasion. For the first time in World Cup history, England had won on penalties. Amazing.
Favourite Moment
Martin Laurence -- England win on penalties: The failed flip throw-in by Milad Mohammadi so nearly got my vote but England winning a penalty shootout was just pure joy. Doing so from behind after Jordan Henderson’s spot kick was superbly saved made it all the more sweet.
Ben McAleer -- Michy Batshuayi's celebration: It was something of a dead rubber match, but Adnan Januzaj’s great solo goal secured Belgium a 1-0 win over England secured the Red Devils top spot. However, better than Janzuaj’s goal was Michy Batshuayi’s celebration as the striker booted the ball against the post, only to have it rebound and smack him in the face.
Josh Wright -- Eric Dier's winning penalty: England vs Colombia was my game of the tournament and Eric Dier’s winning penalty is my favourite moment. The fact he gave David Ospina a real chance to save the penalty made it feel all the more English. We just don’t win penalty shoot-outs and the ecstasy that engulfed the country as soon his effort sneaked in is a moment that will be hard to forget.
Biggest Disappointment
Martin Laurence -- Decisions in the final: France ultimately ran out worthy winners after Croatia finally ran out of steam but two cruel decisions in the first half from the referee cost Zlatko Dalic’s side in the biggest match in the nation’s history. That’s exactly the sort of thing VAR was supposed to prevent and ultimately didn’t.
Ben McAleer -- Robert Lewandowski: He rattled in 16 goals in qualifying, more than any other player, and this was supposed to be the tournament where Robert Lewandowski thrived. However, the Poland international flattered to deceive and then some. He mustered just nine shots over his three outings and hit the target on just three occasions and failed to score. Poland were disappointing, with their struggles epitomised by Lewandowki's thoroughly underwhelming performances.
Josh Wright -- David De Gea: After another unbelievable season for Manchester United, few would have expected David De Gea to endure the World Cup campaign he did. Of players to start at least three World Cup matches this summer, De Gea finished with the lowest WhoScored rating (5.63). He only made one save and conceded six goals, failing to save a single penalty in their shoot-out defeat to Russia.
Best Coach
Martin Laurence -- Gareth Southgate: He made some mistakes in the semi-final, sure, but Southgate has become revered in England for bringing the national team back into the hearts of the fans. The Three Lions weren’t without fault but what more can you ask from a coach whose appointment was met with apathy in the most part.
Ben McAleer -- Zlatko Dalic: Appointed back in October for Croatia’s crunch qualifying clash with Ukraine and having secured victory, then successfully navigated the playoffs. The 51-year-old came into the World Cup as a relative coaching unknown, yet excelled to oversee their progression to the final before their eventual 4-2 loss to France. Gareth Southgate was another who impressed, but Zlatko Dalic worked wonders to turn Croatia’s fortunes around and guide them to the World Cup final.
Josh Wright -- Didier Deschamps: Before the tournament started I didn’t think France would ever win a major tournament with Didier Deschamps in charge. It still feels like the 49-year-old stumbled through the tournament until settling on his best XI in the knockout stage, but it’s hard to argue against the Frenchman now. He is only the second manager to lead France to World Cup glory and did so with nearly everyone against him. He’s turned France into winners this summer, even making the bold decision to sub N’Golo Kante off in the final with the game in the balance! Fair play.
