Cup of Joy

By Paritosh Pramanik

HEY ran haywire, jumped in air, soaked in the rain and slid on the green water logged lawns of Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. Last Sunday witnessed history rewritten as France, for the second time, claimed the FIFA World Cup. The 18-carat gold trophy, weighing just over 6 kgs and 36.8 cms in height went to France since 1998 when they hosted the global event.
The entire world witnessed how France, with outside chance and without being bookmakers’ favourites, thrashed a resolute Croatia 4-2 under the milky lights at Luzhniki Stadium. A legion of world leaders including French president Emmanuel Macron, Russian Premier Vladimir Putin, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic witnessed France’s demolition act.
The month-long sporting extravaganza produced surprising, shocking and enthralling results and provided a fitting end to the tournament. France created their own space. They were treated as a novice when the tournament started on June 14 with very less chance of reaching the last 16 itself.
However, as the mighty teams tumbled one after other, France kept on making gradual and calculated moves to the top only to wipe out the sore memories of Euro 2016 where they were stunned by Portugal in front of their own supporters in Paris.
It was redemption time for France coach Didier Deschamps who was criticised then for his style of functioning.
The 1998 World Cup winning captain proved his critics wrong. He presented his country with another trophy, this time as a coach. The double title put him alongside greats like Brazilian Mario Zagallo and German Franz Beckenbauer to win World Cup as captain and as coach.
The French Government rightly rewarded the entire team with Legion of Honour for their stupendous performance. Deschamps, who had already received the reward at the hands of the then president Jacques Chirac, will now be promoted from Legion Knight to a higher grade such as officer.

 SHOCKERS AND SURPRISES

The 32-team tournament produced some big shockers, which jolted the world. It also had some surprises with fringe teams stunning big guns on their way to the next round.
The biggest shock of the tournament was defending champions Germany being knocked out in the first round.
Never in the recent history were the reigning champions booted from the preliminary rounds. The 2014 champions performed below par to their abilities, which coach Joachim Leow, failed to arrest in time as they suffered the worst choke since 1930s.
Germany were clueless, far from their self. Their defence, which was one of the best four years ago, was breached repeatedly. Their sojourn started with a stunning 1-0 defeat at the hands of Mexico. They managed to scrape past Sweden but it was over when Asian giants South Korea blanked them 2-0 to see them off in the first round.
Another Asian team, Japan made a giant stride as they sneaked into last 16 beating Colombia, sharing points with Senegal and losing to Poland.
If Germany were knocked out in first round, giants like Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, and Spain bit the dust in the round of 16 making the tournament one of the most open in recent times. Stars failed on the biggest stage once again. Argentinean Lionel Messi, Brazilian Neymar Jr, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Uruguayan Luis Suarez all fell in causing a big dent to their world famous stature.
Messi’s Argentina tried hard to stay in contention but they were shown the exit door by France in a seven-goal thriller. Kylian Mbappe’s double strike in the second half was all to see Messi probably end his Argentina career without the silverware. Ronaldo, despite scoring one of the best goals of the tournament in the first round from the set-piece, was unable to weave his magical web. He failed to save his side as they were edged out by Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani’s twin strikes on either side of the half.
Spain, the 2010 champions, too exited without making much of an impact. They created a sort of record of playing with maximum passes, the art which helped them win the title eight years back. But that was not enough for a team boasted with the talented players like Diego Costa, David Silva, Isco to name a few. A fighting Russia held their nerves to beat them on penalties.
Russia put up one of the best shows at home. They were the lowest ranked team in the tournament (70th) but played like a top 15 side. They qualified for the round of 16 with their powerful show from Pool A finishing second.
They became giant-slayer by ousting Spain to book quarter-final date with Croatia.
The hosts were on song until they went out of steam in the shoot-out. Croatia held their nerves to beat them 4-3 and move into the last four. Luka Modric was the star performer for the Croatians this World Cup. The player proved that it does not require big names to take a team to the final. He was the lynchpin of his side journey to the final.

 COMING HOME? NOT YET

England, the 1966 champions entered the tournament without any chance. Pundits, in England and around the world, did not give them an iota of chance to move past the first round.
However, Gareth Southgate’s team forced critics eat the crow. With minimal pressure from the die-hard football fans back home, England, led by Harry Kane, played freely. They showed their skills and moved ahead without being noticed. It was only after their entry into the knock-outs that heads started turning.
With a relatively easy group, they recorded convincing wins over Panama and Tunisia and fielded a second string team against table toppers Belgium only to lose the match and finish second. This was probably done to avoid Brazil in knock-outs and have easy passage towards final.
However, it was not that easy for Kane’s side as they would have expected in the knock-outs. Colombia almost pulled out a siege with an injury time leveler. However, England hung by the thread as they pipped them on penalties.
England’s performance improved as they moved into the quarters. The England of yore was back with a clinical 2-0 win over Sweden which made their way into semi-finals, the first in 20 years.
The roar of ‘It’s Coming Home’ grew louder as England booked last four spot. The British Colonies started singing hosannas of their men as they started believing in them, albeit a bit late. Kieran Trippier bulged the net in the 5th minute against Croatia to send England in frenzy. They managed to hold that slender lead in the first 45 minutes. Everything was going according to script until the 68 minute.
Croatian Ivan Perisic ignited hope for his side with a 68th minute leveler. That goal took the match into extra time, once again for Croatia. And when it looked another penalty corner was in store, Mario Mandzukic came from nowhere to bury British hopes with his stunning goal. England returned home, once again without trophy, extending their title drought to 52 years, over half a century!
However, England’s performance back home was lauded. Southgate’s performance from the sidelines was hailed and he was duly rewarded with a Metro Station named after him.

 BELGIUM, STORY OF THE 
 WORLD CUP

If any team entertained and made several thousands of fans this World Cup, it was Belgium.
With a consistent performance throughout the month-long tournament Belgium showed their improving credential with each passing year.
Being 11th at the inaugural Football World Cup in 1930 and finishing fourth at 1966, the third place finish for this side proves their fast northward journey.
The Golden Generation of Belgium almost produced a heist. They finished as the topper from Pool G ahead of England with an all-win record. They also scored highest number of goals in the league round (9) and subsequently in the entire tournament.
It was the flair and flamboyance with which they earned so many admirers. With the world acclaimed players like Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Thomas Meunier and the ever dependable Thibaut Courtois at goal, Belgium looked to go till the last post. They were galloping in their strides with some crushing performance against Tunisia, Panama and England in the league round. With a blank sheet, Belgium entered the knock-outs with loads of confidence.
The secret was they played as a cohesive unit. They were united on and off the field. Such was their confidence that they did not panic despite being two-goal down against Japan. That pressure situation only brought the best out of Roberto Martinez managed side. The likes of Lukaku, Hazard, and De Bruyne took back seat, for a while as Jan Vertonghen, Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli scored in an exhilarating 35 minutes of classical second half football. Belgium were in quarters with mighty Brazil lurking.
Playing Brazil, the five times World Champions, would always be a pressure game. Opponents would feel more burden of expectation than Brazil themselves.
But, this Belgium side had just passed the furnace with a come from behind 3-2 win over Japan and were oozing with confidence. Their chances grew in the 13th minute when Brazil scored an own goal in first quarter of the half. Another goal just over the half hour mark marked their confirmation into semis and Brazil’s departure from the tournament. A late goal from Brazilian Renato Augusto, too, could not stop Belgium from making the last four.
They lost the semi-final to eventual champions France but left an indelible mark on the tournament with their determined performance, which will be remembered for years to come.

 RISING STARS

This World Cup definitely gave birth to a few rising stars as it also saw shining lights fade into oblivion.
If Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar Jr, Suarez failed to make much of an impact with their performance bowing out quickly from the scene, players like Romelu Lukaku, Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann shone brighter in Russia.
It is time Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar pass the baton to these rising stars. 
Mbappe, the best player of French League 1 showed what he is capable of. He matched legendary Pele by becoming only the second player in history to score in final as a teenager. His feat was also applauded by the Brazilian legend himself.
Mbappe scored in crucial time. More than that he had the ability to burst ahead with a Bolt-like speed, which opposition defenders failed to tackle. His dash against Argentina and winning a penalty with his scorching speed forced all to take notice.
Lukaku mesmerised all with the deft skills and control with the ball. His knack to deliver ball and anticipation helped Belgium win several battles. He was lurking in the French defence all the time during their semis battle. It is a pity his Belgium side missed on winning the World Cup this time. Similarly, Eden Hazard led Belgium very effectively. He was dangerous upfront and in the midfield.
Antoine Griezmann is another talismanic footballer who would mark his own space in football world in days to come. 
He scored from the spot in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia and was also an important cog in his side’s march to the final.
The Atletico Madrid forward made stunning forays upfront and was instrumental during the set-piece. His assists in the final were very crucial in France’s title victory.
The stars have arrived at Russia and with age on their side, they will rise above the expectation in Qatar in four years.

 THE BEST WORLD CUP EVER

There was a lot of apprehension to the build up of the World Cup. But Russian government proved all doubters wrong. They opened their arms to welcome the world community to their country. The conservative nation, tweaked their own rules only to give international fans a chance to change their perception for Russia.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino did not waste any time in praising the organisation and terming the World Cup as the best ever. This he did on several occasions as the curtains came down on World Cup on July 15.
Russian President Vladimir Putin changed Visa rules for the soccer fans visiting the 11 cities. In a first, a Fan ID was issued to all those having valid match tickets which helped spectators move freely in entire Russia.
The Russian police, who are known to be one of the most strict and robust, were asked to be mild until very severe offence by the people. There was hardly any commotion during the entire 30 days of the World Cup. Russia showed the world that they can survive despite sanctions.
All in all this World Cup brought the other side of Russia. 
As the baton passed to Qatar for 2022 World Cup, football lovers hope that same cordial and easy passage would take place in the Arab nation.  
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