London, Sep 25: The 2018 FIFPRO World XI announced here includes four current Real Madrid players and erstwhile teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. The team was presented at The Best FIFA Football Awards gala here on Monday, reports Efe. Ronaldo — now with Juventus —
MoreLondon, Sep 25: The 2018 FIFPRO World XI announced here includes four current Real Madrid players and erstwhile teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
The team was presented at The Best FIFA Football Awards gala here on Monday, reports Efe.
Ronaldo — now with Juventus — is joined on the list by Real Madrid defenders Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos and midfielders Marcelo and Luka Modric.
Only two other clubs had more than one player qualify for the World XI: Chelsea, with Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante; and Paris Saint-Germain, with Dani Alves and Kylian Mbappe.
Blanco’s archrival FC Barcelona are represented by Lionel Messi, while the goalkeeper spot goes to Manchester United’s David de Gea.
Nobody was surprised to see so many Real Madrid players selected after the side won the Champions League for the third straight year, but some of the omissions were striking.
The World XI excludes Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah, a finalist along with Madrid and Ronaldo for a male player of the year, and Thibault Courtois, even though the Belgian international was named goalkeeper of the year.
France vs Croatia has lived up to the expectation of a FIFA world cup final. Both the sides have entertained the fans with their own style of football.
However, France’s incredible conversion rate has helped them secure an easy win. On the other hand, Croatia have had an incredible run to the world cup final. The team takes a lot of pride from their efforts.
Here we look at the top 5 talking points from the biggest event in football.
The Croatian captain Luka Modric has been named the FIFA 2018 World Cup Golden Ball winner. While, France’s 19-year old star Kylian Mbappe was named as the best young player at the tournament.
Modric helped Croatia to the World Cup final with his outstanding play in the middle of the park. The nation of just over 4 million people made a fairytale run through the competition with wins over the likes of Argentina and England along the way.
Modric edged out Belgium’s Eden Hazard and France’s Antoine Griezmann, who finished second and third respectively, for top honours. Mbappe was also impressive throughout the tournament and was among the scorers in the final. The 19-year-old also scored a brace in a 4-3 win Argentina in the round of 16.
England’s Harry Kane claimed the Golden Boot for the competition with his six goals for England. His side made it all the way to the semi-final before being knocked out after extra time by Croatia.
Griezmann was the man nearest Kane at the top of the scoring charts. Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku finished third while his side also finished as third after defeating England 2-0.
Lukaku’s team-mate Thibaut Courtois was named as the tournament’s top goalkeeper. He won the Golden Glove award and Spain claimed the FIFA Fair Play trophy.
France’s array of superstars came out to shine as Antoine, Mbappe and Pogba fired them to World Cup glory with an emphatic 4-2 win over Croatia. France became the first team to score four goals in a World Cup final since Brazil beat Italy 4-1 in 1970. While, Croatia are the first team to lose in their first ever appearance in a World Cup final since the Netherlands in 1974.
Golden Ball Winner: Luka Modric (Croatia)
Best Young Player Of The Tournament: Kylian Mbappe (France)
Golden Boot Winner: Harry Kane (England)
Golden Glove Award: Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)
FIFA Fair Play Award: Spain
fThere is absolutely no denying that winning the World Cup is the pinnacle of football for almost every footballer. The prestige associated with winning the coveted trophy of the holy grail of the game lasts a lifetime. Being a part of the World Cup-winning team immortalise the player in his country’s football history.
What makes winning the title even more glorious is that it only comes around every four years. The top 32 nations vying for the top prize in the game makes this competition one of the best spectacles. Well, the World Cup trophy is not the only thing the 32 teams competing in the tournament are playing for.
As with most top-level football competitions in the modern era there are financial rewards for winning the World Cup. And what makes the World Cup even more interesting is that there is some lucrative reward even for every side. Even for those who don’t win the title or progress far.
In October 2017, FIFA had confirmed that a total of $400 million would be shared between the participants at the tournament in the form of prize money. The amount was a 12 percent increase from the previous tournament in 2014.
Simply qualifying for the tournament was worth a minimum of $9.5m ($8m for taking part in the group stage and $1.5m for tournament costs).
Teams that lost in the quarter-final received a further $4m ($16m) and the semifinalists each received different amounts based on the result. The beaten semi-finalists who contest the third-place play-off shared $46m, with $24m going to winner and $22m going to the loser.
The final was a $66m game and the winner received $38m with the runners-up getting $28m.
#FRA are the raining/reigning #WorldCup champions!
Sorry/not sorry about that pun. ☔️ pic.twitter.com/FAWosoP8lX
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
| Finish | Payout | Team(s) |
| Champion | $38,000,000 | France |
| Runner-up | $28,000,000 | Croatia |
| Third Place | $24,000,000 | Belgium |
| Fourth Place | $22,000,000 | England |
| Quarterfinal | $16,000,000 | Uruguay, Russia, Brazil, Sweden |
| Round of 16 | $12,000,000 | Portugal, Argentina, Mexico, Japan, Spain, Denmark, Switerland, Colombia |
| Group Stage | $8,000,000 | Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Australia, Iceland, Peru, Nigeria, Serbia, Costa Rica, South Korea Germany, Tunisia, Panama, Senegal, Poland |
France won their second World Cup after beating Croatia 4-2 in a pulsating final on Sunday in Moscow.
The Les Bleus took the lead in the 18th minute through a Mario Mandzukic own goal. However, Ivan Perisic fired home an equaliser 10 minutes later. But seven minutes before half-time, referee Nestor Pitana controversially awarded a spot-kick for a handball by Perisic after consulting pitch-side replays, which Griezmann duly converted.
Second-half goals from Paul Pogba (59) and Kylian Mbappé (65) took the game away from Croatia before Mandzukic pulled one back for his side after a Hugo Lloris error.
⭐️⭐️#FRA
France have won the 2018 FIFA #WorldCup in Moscow! #FRACRO // #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/fZhmJmxjVh
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
If this World Cup was full of drama then the finale just put the icing on the cake. Contrary to the popular speculations, Croatia, the debutants in the final, started the stronger. They enjoyed the majority of possessions early on and tested France from both the flanks.
However, France took the lead against the run of play in the 18th minute. Griezmann tumbled when Marcelo Brozovic clipped his heels and the Atletico Madrid star’s floated free-kick was headed unintentionally into his own net by Mandzukic. But Croatia soon responded in style as Perisic scored the equaliser just ten minutes later.
Perisic was tripped by N’Golo Kante, who was booked for his indiscretion. France failed to adequately deal with Luka Modric’s deep free-kick and Perisic seized on a knockdown from Domagoj Vida with a clever right-footed touch and an eye-catching left-footed finish. But Perisic’s joy soon turned into despair afterwards when a lengthy VAR review saw him penalised for handball from Griezmann’s corner. Replays left no doubt the ball struck Perisic’s left hand.
Croatia started brightly after the break too. Three minutes after the restart, Ante Rebic was put through on goal by a wonderful pass from Ivan Rakitic. However, his effort was tipped over the bar by Hugo Lloris. Croatia kept on attacking but just could not find the back of the net. And they soon paid a hefty price for it.
One minute before the hour-mark, Pogba handed France a two-goal cushion. The Manchester United star started the move with a sensational half-volleyed through ball for Mbappe who then found Griezmann. The ball was laid back to Pogba and on his second attempt, fired a left-footed shot that completely wrong-footed Danijel Subasic.
Six minutes later, Mbappe put the game to the bed by scoring France’s fourth. In the process, he became the second teenager after the legendary Pele to score in a World Cup final. Mandzukic scored one after a howler from Lloris but it was a mere consolation. France held on to lay their hands at the coveted title for the second time and the first time since 1998.
France ended Croatia’s fairytale run in the World Cup in the most of brutal of fashions, thrashing the first-time finalists 4-2 to win their second World Cup title.
The first time since 1958 we've had six goals in regular time of a #WorldCupFinal!
Pretty nerve-wracking for #FRA and #CRO fans, but for neutrals… how you feeling? #FRACRO 4-2 pic.twitter.com/lVZ0FXeBUZ
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
Despite being far from their best, France headed into the break with a 2-1 lead. The Les Bleus’ two goals came from set-pieces as Mario Mandzukic became the first player to score an own goal in the World Cup final. Ivan Perisic brought Croatia level with a crisp strike on his left foot. However, he was then the villain as Antoine Griezmann’s corner struck his hand and after a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot. Griezmann duly converted to put France back in front at the break.
Annnnnnd breathe.
That was pretty eventful! #FRACRO // #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/tH7SPTBaQh
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
After the break, Paul Pogba all but sealed Croatia’s fate by scoring France’s third just before the hour mark. Kylian Mbappe then put the icing on the cake by scoring the fourth in the 65th minute. Four minutes later, Mandzukic pulled one back for Croatia but it turned out to be merely a consolation goal.
Contrary to popular speculations, it was debutant Croatia who started the game on the frontfoot. Croatia showed no nerves as they applied pressure to the 1998 winners. However, France once again showed their strength at the back as they dealt with the Croatian attack quite well.
In the third minute, Peresic won the ball off Pavard and burst forward on the counter-attack. He drove into the penalty area but Varane came across to make a crucial tackle. Six minutes later, Rakitic released Strinic into the box and he almost made some room to fire a low ball across the face of goal. However, Mbappe got back in time to make the challenge, diverting the ball out for a corner.
But all the early pressure counted for little as France took the lead against the run of play in the 18th minute. After being fouled at the edge of the box, Antoine Griezmann whipped the resulting free-kick into the penalty area. The ball flicked off the head of Mandzukic before finding the back of the net.
Croatia, however, were not pegged back by the unfortunate goal and soon got the reward. In the 28th minute, Perisic scored a brilliant goal to equalise. France failed to clear the danger from a free-kick as Manzukic then Vida knocked the ball towards Perisic. The Inter Milan star took time and space to pick his spot on his left foot before drilling his effort past Lloris.
A moment to remember for @paulpogba and the @FrenchTeam!#FRACRO // #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/PRe4x4pPJw
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
But 5 minutes later, Perisic turned into villain when he handled Griezmann’s corner-kick. The referee pointed to the spot after reviewing the VAR and Griezmann made no mistake from the spot. Croatia tried to find the equaliser before the break but France held on to keep their lead intact.
Croatia started brightly after the break too. Three minutes after the restart, Ante Rebic was put through on goal by a wonderful pass from Ivan Rakitic. However, his effort was tipped over the bar by Hugo Lloris. Croatia kept on attacking but just could not find the back of the net. And they soon paid a hefty price for it.
One minute before the hour-mark, Pogba handed France a two-goal cushion. His first effort was blocked by Vida before he curled in with his left-foot from the rebound. Six minutes later, Mbappe put the game to the bed and in the process became just the second teenager after the legendary Pele to score in a World Cup final.
Teenagers to score in a #WorldCupFinal
* Pele
* Kylian MbappeThat is all. pic.twitter.com/Cy3RvGOoV7
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
A howler from Lloris then saw Mandzukic reduce the deficit but France held on to win the coveted title.
5 – Mario Mandzukic has become just the 5th player to score in both World Cup and European Cup/Champions League finals, after Ferenc Puskas, Zoltan Czibor, Gerd Muller & Zinedine Zidane. Platform.#WorldCupFinal #WorldCup #FRA #CRO pic.twitter.com/jc7TNR7YRG
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/Carra23/status/1018532923505627136
Great French ?? generation, incredible team they have ?? but up most respect for Croatia ?? who was the underdog the whole tournament ??????
— Ryan Babel (@Ryanbabel) July 15, 2018
Congratulations to the determined players from France for winning the FIFA World Cup! Special wishes to the gallant Croatia team #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 15, 2018
-Own goal
-Handball Penalty
-Pogba screamer (chill…)
-19 year old (teenager) Mbappe goal
-Lloris 5* skill failure……THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED IN THE #WORLDCUPFINAL!!!!!!
You going to love this video…… #FRACRO
— Castro1021 (@Castro1021) July 15, 2018
France just making sure that the world doesn't feel they won it by a dubious VAR penalty. Lloris even gave them a goal. #WorldCupFinal
— Ali Anjum (@alianjum_) July 15, 2018
Anyways , Croatia deserves a lot of credit for making the final against all the odds, Played beautiful football and showed amazing fighting spirit, well done ?? #WorldCupFinal
— Narimene ?? (@narimane_7) July 15, 2018
What were you doing at 19? #Mbappé #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/AZ94bl5c8x
— Arsène's Son ? (@hughwizzy) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/LuckyHeronSay/status/1018536597128646657
Not a free-kick and not a penalty… #CRO extremely unlucky with both #FRA goals in this #WorldCupFinal
— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) July 15, 2018
How rare is it that you’re the goal scorer and moments later the guy who gets called for the handball and causes a penalty? Hay Perisic ??♂️ #WorldCupFinal
— TJ Manotoc (@tjmanotoc) July 15, 2018
I always told my friends that Ivan perisic was underrated and was one of the main factors that inter made it to ucl but as most people don't watch Serie A he hasn't received the recognition he deserves however today he has shown the world that he is phenomenal.#WorldCupFinal
— harsh chaudhary (@iharshchaudhary) July 15, 2018
Antoine Griezmann has converted the first penalty kick goal (excluding shootouts) in a #WorldCup Final since Zinedine Zidane in 2006.#FRA is the first team to score 2 goals in the first half of a World Cup Final since… France in 1998. pic.twitter.com/XzuzNO5pvk
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 15, 2018
Can't wait to see VAR trending worldwide ? #WorldCupFinal
— SAUTI SOL (@sautisol) July 15, 2018
Let's go back to the VAR dweebs to see if it still has to be a deliberate handball for a penalty… #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/kPkI8DU1Fn
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 15, 2018
An own goal and a VAR penalty!
Croatia fans won't be happy. #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/RhsXvRaTdd
— Transfer Site (@TransferSite) July 15, 2018
Someone give an oscar to these colonizers for such a great performance. #WorldCupFinal #FRACRO pic.twitter.com/APwoUPgYIX
— natalia⁷ ? ? (@dracarys_puta) July 15, 2018
An own goal and a controversial penalty resulting from VAR sees France heading into the break with a 2-1 lead over Croatia in the ongoing World Cup final.
Contrary to popular speculations, it was debutant Croatia who began the much-anticipated clash on a brighter note. They tested the Les Bleus with a dazzling attacking display but the 1998 winners managed to keep things tight at the back.
How are you feeling, #FRA fans? #FRACRO // #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/gxjyW2Sz1I
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
In the third minute, Peresic won the ball off Pavard and burst forward on the counter-attack. He drove into the penalty area but Varane came across to make a crucial tackle. Six minutes later, Rakitic released Strinic into the box and he almost made some room to fire a low ball across the face of goal. However, Kylian Mbappe got back in time to make the challenge, diverting the ball out for a corner.
France then had their first shot on the target in the 18th minute and it gave them the lead against the run of play. After being fouled at the edge of the box, Antoine Griezmann whipped the resulting free-kick into the penalty area. It was a teasing cross and it found the back of the net after being flicked off the head of Mario Mandzukic who had hit Croatia’s winner in the semifinal.
But the heartbreaking goal did not peg back Croatia as they continued to attack and they finally had their reward. Just before the half hour mark, Ivan Perisic, who had also hit the equaliser in the semifinal, scored to restore parity. France failed to clear the danger from a free-kick as Manzukic then Vida knocked the ball towards Perisic. The Inter Milan star took time and space to pick his spot on his left foot before drilling his effort past Lloris.
What a response from @HNS_CFF!#FRACRO // #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/gNb9RWabfb
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
The game soon witnessed its first controversy when France were awarded a penalty in controversial manner. Perisic turned from hero to villain as Griezmann’s corner struck his hand.
Annnnnnd breathe.
That was pretty eventful! #FRACRO // #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/tH7SPTBaQh
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 15, 2018
The World Cup final could not have been better as France and Croatia head into the break with the former leading 2-1 after a thrilling first half.
Just a couple of days ago Mario Mandzukic was the toast of the nation after his winner took Croatia in their first-ever World Cup final. However, the hero turned into a villain in a blink of an eye after he scored a own goal in the ongoing final against France. The Juventus striker’s own goal separates the two teams at the break. However, Ivan Perisic scored the equaliser just before the half-hour mark to bring Croatia right back in the game. But 5 minutes later, Griezmann scored from the penalty spot in to restore France’s lead.
It was the debutants who made a bright start to the showpiece event, testing 1998 winners France early on with some eye-catching attacking display. Croatia showed no nerves as they applied pressure to Les Bleus. However, France once again showed their strength at the back as they dealt with the Croatian attack quite well.
In the third minute, Peresic won the ball off Pavard and burst forward on the counter-attack. He drove into the penalty area but Varane came across to make a crucial tackle. Six minutes later, Rakitic released Strinic into the box and he almost made some room to fire a low ball across the face of goal. However, Mbappe got back in time to make the challenge, diverting the ball out for a corner.
But all the early pressure counted for little as France took the lead against the run of play in the 18th minute. After being fouled at the edge of the box, Antoine Griezmann whipped the resulting free-kick into the penalty area. The ball flicked off the head of Mandzukic before finding the back of the net.
Croatia, however, were not pegged back by the unfortunate goal and soon got the reward. In the 28th minute, Perisic scored a brilliant goal to equalise. France failed to clear the danger from a free-kick as Manzukic then Vida knocked the ball towards Perisic. The Inter Milan star took time and space to pick his spot on his left foot before drilling his effort past Lloris.
But 5 minutes later, Perisic’s hand ball saw France taking the lead after the referee awarded them the penalty after consulting the VAR. France then held on to go to the break with a slender lead.
Not a free-kick and not a penalty… #CRO extremely unlucky with both #FRA goals in this #WorldCupFinal
— Ben Hayward (@bghayward) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/MohammadKaif/status/1018521993589608448
How rare is it that you’re the goal scorer and moments later the guy who gets called for the handball and causes a penalty? Hay Perisic ??♂️ #WorldCupFinal
— TJ Manotoc (@tjmanotoc) July 15, 2018
I always told my friends that Ivan perisic was underrated and was one of the main factors that inter made it to ucl but as most people don't watch Serie A he hasn't received the recognition he deserves however today he has shown the world that he is phenomenal.#WorldCupFinal
— harsh chaudhary (@iharshchaudhary) July 15, 2018
Antoine Griezmann has converted the first penalty kick goal (excluding shootouts) in a #WorldCup Final since Zinedine Zidane in 2006.#FRA is the first team to score 2 goals in the first half of a World Cup Final since… France in 1998. pic.twitter.com/XzuzNO5pvk
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 15, 2018
Can't wait to see VAR trending worldwide ? #WorldCupFinal
— SAUTI SOL (@sautisol) July 15, 2018
Let's go back to the VAR dweebs to see if it still has to be a deliberate handball for a penalty… #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/kPkI8DU1Fn
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 15, 2018
An own goal and a VAR penalty!
Croatia fans won't be happy. #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/RhsXvRaTdd
— Transfer Site (@TransferSite) July 15, 2018
Someone give an oscar to these colonizers for such a great performance. #WorldCupFinal #FRACRO pic.twitter.com/APwoUPgYIX
— natalia⁷ ? ? (@dracarys_puta) July 15, 2018
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp is full of praise for Croatian defender, Dejan Lovren after the latter’s run to World Cup final. Lovren has been the cornerstone in Croatia’s defence and has contributed to their success in recent years.
The defender recently claimed he is one of the best in the world. Although Klopp did not draw comparisons, he reckons there is still room for improvement for the 29-year old.
The Croatian international also played an excellent role in helping Liverpool reach the Champions League final last season. But Lovren needs to be at his absolute best to give Croatia a chance at winning World Cup against favourites, France.
“People very often judge other people pretty early. I don’t know exactly what happened before I came in,” Klopp told Liverpool’s website. “Since I came in, maybe Dejan made three or four mistakes, two of them in the Tottenham game, maybe one in a Champions League game last year. But it’s for sure not 15 or 20.
“Ninety percent of the time he played outstanding, 95 percent absolutely OK, and five percent probably he was not at his best. But you will find these problems for pretty much all the players in the world.
Despite Lovren having a knack of misjudging few situations, he has developed into a terrific defender during his time at Anfield. He has been one of the leaders on the current Croatian team and will play a massive role for them on Sunday. Klopp reckons Lovren can still improve to reach his potential.
“I’m completely happy. I’m happy that he used the little advice we gave him in the last few years in a very good way. He can still improve, 100 percent.
“But he is on a really good way. I didn’t see all of the World Cup games but a lot — he played a fantastic tournament so far. It’s well deserved, I’m really happy for him.”
Dejan Lovren has enjoyed a great World Cup on a personal note so far. The Croats has surprised everyone with the level of football they played over the past month. They managed to finish, as toppers in Group D and then defeated Denmark, Russia and England.
The team has worked as a single unit and ensured they made their efforts count by scoring goals at crucial moments.
However, France is a different class, as they are one of the best teams in the world. If anything to go by, then Croatia will need to play the game of their lives to win the coveted trophy in Moscow.
Twenty-two players on the pitch will battle for the ultimate glory in Moscow tonight. In terms of experience, France are well ahead as they played the 1998 and 2006 finale, while for Croatia, it’s their first ever World Cup final. Here we list the five players to look out for in the finale.
But experience sometimes doesn’t matter in the final if any individual lights up on their day. Here we take a look at the top five players to look out for in the finale.
