This article about the 2018 World Cup interested me because I've been playing soccer my whole life and my favorite sport to watch is soccer. While the World Cup was going on my dad and I watched all the between all the countries that competed. The men's World Cup is held every 4 years. It really surprised me that France won this year. I had a strong feeling Croatia was gonna win. The final score of the game was 4-2. The last time France had won the World Cup was 20 years ago, which is insane. After the French players won the World Cup, they were ecstatic. Half of the team went into the stands to take French flags from the fans.
This article about the World Cup interested me because soccer is my favorite sport and I watched a lot of the World Cup. This tournament is held every four years, but this has been the best one by far. It had a lot of upsets and a bunch of late goals that always took the drama right to the end. I thought Germany would win it because they're one of the best teams in the world, were favorites to win it, and won it the previous time. Also, they're my favorite national team so just like most people i had them to win it, but they ended up getting knocked out in the group stage. France deserved to win it at the end though. They got first in they're group, beat Argentina in the round of sixteen, and then beat Belgium in the semis, two very difficult teams. Croatia had a lot easier path playing worse teams to get to the final. At the end of it all France had a great tournament and deserved to raise the trophy at the end of it.
This game certainly lived up to the exciting and nerve-racking ideals of the World Cup, which drew me towards this article. France, the very young, underdog team, overcame adversity and ended up on top of the world. Croatia, a small country also beat the odds and made it all the way to the final. What really intrigued me was the foundation and belief that the French Team had. As seen through their celebration, they worked hard against disbelief. One of the youngest teams to be in this years World Cup, they worked together to shock the world. It's amazing to see how a team can grow in the midst of one month of crazy competition and how cool and collected the players are while being watched by millions. The most intriguing part of this article and this year's World Cup, was how the sport brought the world together. How nations rallied and supported their teams. How fueding countries could stop the fighting just to watch a 90 minute game. And how a whole world came together in love for a sport.
A big thank you to NYT for the coverage of the 2018 World Cup. I for one, enjoyed very much the breath of the news and I consider it was a well deserved "time off" from the news coming from this White House at Washington DC.
Croatia deserves a lot of praise, but it is wrong to say they were the better team. Why disregard their own goal and penalty but not Lloris gifting them a goal? Take them all away and it is still France 2, Croatia 1. Time of possession is a meaningless stat, rewarding useless kicks to teammates far from the goal and penalizing quick attacks which produce goals.
It is also worth noting that their road to the final in the knockout round was against much lower ranked teams than France faced and still required 3 comeback wins--I think Belgium would have beaten Croatia. But again, Croatia does deserve great praise for such a small country producing such an excellent result. The US should learn from them.
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Clearly we did not all watch the same game. A player is always allowed to dive to avoid being hurt. The Croatian defender was not playing the ball but the player. So the penalty kick was a normal decision. Griezmann played it well with a bit of luck. Or was it Mankusic that was unlucky.
And the idea that the Croatian hand ball was not intentional is almost funny. The Croatian player had his eyes on the ball and could have lift his hand up rather than down to avoid the ball. He clearly thought he could get away with it. Croatians players are not amateurs. Most play in the best European clubs and many play the Champions League. Everyone likes underdogs stories. But here it is the Croatian players who were the most experienced.
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I’m so happy that “Africa town” or “little Africa “ won the World Cup ! Vive la France-ish!
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@Volany All of the players were born in France except for one who came when he was two years old, which makes them all French, no matter their skin color (Instead of « imported » like some people are claiming ). Europeans tend to identify first with where they are born, anyway. And even if many of their parents did immigrate from other countries (including one whose parents are from the Phillipines- a first for a World Cup Champion team), just goes to show that diversity and inclusion in a country or on a team can bring about great outcomes.
By your logic, I guess most U.S. sports teams aren’t American either, since most of them are not Native American and quite a few of them have ancestors from Africa. Ridiculous.
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Gutted for Croatia, but full props to France, they were the better team. Croatia played their hearts out and left everything out there. France were canny and tactical, but they could choose their moments and when they opened up in the second half, they scored twice with shocking ease before shutting it down again. You got the feeling Croatia were on the limit and France never had to get out of third gear. France going flat out would have been a sight to see -- too bad Deschamps is the wrong driver for that.
Much more entertaining WC than I had anticipated. Big questions now are: where do Asia and especially Africa go? How will Germany, Spain, and England respond for Euro2020? Can Argentina finally get its act together? And who'll be the next Cup's Croatia or Japan?
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The coverage, both written, and via commentary during the game, has emphasized the narrative that the Croatian team outplayed France and therefore should have won. This idea that the team with the most possession, passes, and offensive opportunities should automatically win is not what soccer is about. Anyone see the Spain-Russia game? Sure, it may seem logical, but the game often defies logic. Just like the beautiful, looping, seemingly impossible angle shots that land in the back of the net, just as often we see, ugly, haphazard goals that look more like mistakes or luck that can be attributed to skill. And yet, they still count! Its interesting to me that many of the comments from Croatian fans simply state, great game, well done France, and go Croatia! They clearly know the "beautiful game" and how it can bring as much joy as disappointment, yet we still come back for more. I for one can't wait until 2022.
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This was this game. Not the whole tournament. This game. Who wins this game wins the tournament, not who does whatever, or has done, or did not do whatever, over the last month.
Second, Croatia labored under two bad ref decisions, each of which led directly to a goal.
The dive was hard to see, so maybe the free kick award should be forgiven.
But the penalty shot was an egregious decision. One, the "handball" was not a handball, per the rules. Second, even if it had been a handball, it was not called as such on the field. The VAR is only supposed to be used to correct clear errors, or for measurement (did the ball cross the line). The ref peered into the screen forever - trying to decide what happened - and peered again, and again. This by definition is not clear, and therefore the nod goes to the call on the field, made in real time. That's what's supposed to happen. Did not. Instead, the ref allowed the VAR to overrule his field call. Bad.
It's very possible that France might have won this game, even though Croatia was, marginally, the better team. But we'll never know.
The result of the 2018 Cup is unfortunately tainted.
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@John Xavier III nope nope nope
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Aside from the the match, there was something in the ceremonies which I found very revealing. Watching the match on German television, on my computer in California, during the presentation ceremonies, in the middle of pouring rain there was Putin covered by one umbrella.
For seemingly minutes, the French and Croatian leaders were standing in pouring rain. It seems that the polite thing to do for the host of the games would have been to offer his umbrella. If not to the French President than at least to the female Croat President. But, that did not seem to have concerned Putin in the least.
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@Liviu
No. Nor would it have me.
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I saw the french president said no to the offer at the beginning . Then the rain got harder, at this time they didn’t ask him anymore ,they just put the umbrella on.
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This narrative that Croatia is somehow more deserving than France defies logic. Fortunately in football, possession is not destiny. If it were, then none could be more deserving of the World Cup than Spain.
"But what about the controversial calls?" critics of France would say. But what about them? There can be endless debates about free kicks and penalties, but controversial calls and non-calls are part of football and any sport. Also, how many teams and players have squandered such opportunities? Just ask Messi, who missed a crucial free kick against Iceland. Certainly, there was nothing certain about Griezmann's converting those calls into actual goals. But he did, thus giving his team an advantage.
But was France simply lucky? Maybe. But didn't we, just a few days ago, talked about how lucky England was for being in a relatively easy bracket? Of course, all that talk ended after they lost to Croatia.
Ultimately, here are the results: France finished on top of their group. In the knockout stage, they defeated South American football powers, before spoiling the dreams of Belgium’s golden generation. And during the final game, France scored four goals, including awesome strikes by the talented Pogba and Mbappé.
France played pragmatically at times and was given opportunities along the way; but this team’s ability to maintain control and turn chances into victory makes them no less deserving of a place in the pantheon of this sport’s great teams.
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Vive La France! There victory celebration was wonderful to watch and well deserved but I will miss Rory Smith’s writing about the 2018 World Cup!
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A terrific game, lots of attack by the Croatians, who were really good at cutting off French and getting them off the ball. France countered well and made the most of their opportunities. I think the handball call was legit--I don't think it should matter whether it was intentional or not, it's whether it significantly changed the course of the ball, which it did, basically knocking the ball to the ground and keeping it from going on in front of the next. He didn't have his arms pinned behind him, which is what you see a lot of defenders do in the box. You would have a ton of "accidental" handballs go uncalled if you didn't call that one. None of the commentators disagreed with the call.
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@steve
"I think the handball call was legit--I don't think it should matter whether it was intentional or not, it's whether it significantly changed the course of the ball, which it did, basically knocking the ball to the ground and keeping it from going on in front of the next."
Sorry, man, what you think should matter, and what the rules are, are two different things, and unfortunately for you the rules have the upper hand in this case. And the rules say "deliberate", which is a synonym for "intentional" except perhaps stronger -with a connotation of premeditated, planned.
The commentators are told not to criticize the referee, although one of them did anyway; they also called the ref out on the dive. In polls around the world, the verdict is 50/50 on the handball, but most soccer professionals (players, managers, etc.) think the penalty was incorrect, especially after the VAR.
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It was, regrettably, a huge win, most of all, for Putin and his gang. And that is what the West just cannot afford these days. In the eyes of his own people, and those from other non-free nations of the world, Putin is legitimized once more. Those who say the world Cup should not be politicized are dreaming: it is a simple and undeniable fact that the dictatorships of the world turn such things to their propaganda advantage... for the last 10-15 years, it has been nothing but win after win for Putin... What a doozy.
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I have traveled there and watched games. I have tell you you are absolutely right. Now I see what Russia really is, a free and beautiful country with good people, good food, good culture and history. People there live good lives and have fun. I fell I love with this country. Thank you World Cup that allowed me to see through the media and see the truth myself
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Bravo les Bleus, and bravo to Mr. Smith for him sublime reporting. Reading his articles is like eating journalistic candy.
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So happy for this French team and a special shout-out to The Boys From the Banlieues!
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As a Croat, I am happy for these guys. French team would have probably won even without help of chance (in soccer I regard referee as I do weather - it doesn't do what it does because it wants to sway game one way or the other). You could say they have best talent of Africa in their team. Just look at the picture: three white guys! In contrast Croatia's team came from a nation of less than 5 million. Something in the blood, as I tell my sons. But also these guys worked and never gave up! What an example for Croatians and underdogs everywhere!
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Les bleus won. But barely if you look more closely. Griezmann managed a dive (Neymar style). This resulted in the free kick that Mandžukić deflected with his head into the Croatian net. Own goal. The pressing Croats got a well deserved equalizer, a powerful well-placed shot by their best player, Perisic. Then came the questionable penalty kick. Same Perisic was in an unfortunate situation. Blocked by a French player he could not see the ball and react quickly enough to get his hand out of the way. The ball touched his hand. Pitana, the Argentine referee decided first: corner kick. French protests. The video referee was consulted, the video still showed the ball touching Perisic's hand. But the image did not decide whether this was deliberate or accidental. Nevertheless: penalty kick and goal for France by Griezmann. The two goals by Pogba and Mbappe, the super fast youngster, within six minutes were decisive and France assured the win, blemished only by Mandzukic who cleverly scored on a very stupid error by the French goalie Lloris. For most of the game Croatia was the better, hard pressing team that, frustratingly, did not capitalize on the many goal chances they had. In the end, France showed enough moments of class and brilliance to win their second cup. Croatia was a very worthy, admirable and surprise runner up. It was an exciting final in this very unpredictable tournament where most favorites fell by the wayside, notably the 2014 champion Germany.
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Typical soccer writing, more like the coverage of an opera than sport. No mention of the fact that France's first goal, which might have turned the game around, came from a call of a phantom foul. But no, destiny was with France, and don't disrupt the narrative! Don't note that whether review should have been used at all on the hand ball was at issue.
Also, the way soccerland treats all own goals the same is odd. This one basically glanced off a defender's head as he was battling for it. In hockey these accidental deflections aren't portrayed the same as a player batting it into his own net. I think people just love saying "own goal." So footbally.
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in a world final the referee ought not to have so many doubts...
2 goals allowed by his indecion...
i hope this guy doesn't get another job...
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The article, like many of the announcers, seemed to make it sound like France fell into the win. Modric was given golden ball- I thought as consolation- he played well, but not as well as a 19 year old from the Paris slums. Think of all the super stars- where were they in the final? no where to be seen- Messi, Ronaldo, only Mbappe left- & he was brilliant- fast, dribbling unparalleled, & he produced- passing to his teammates who were better positioned & scoring. Griezmann always scored when given the opportunity- from the pitch or on penalty. France was the favorite- they had the best young talent- & not just Mbappe- they played classy- they certainly deserved to win as much as anyone & more so than Croatia who distinguished themselves, but were not, as the article suggested, the better team. They were more aggressive- pressing the goalie every time he would have an easy 'free' kick, until finally scoring a goal on the french goalie's tremendous error of judgement- not holding the ball and free kicking it down field, but rather trying to out kick in close quarters the Croatian. Other than that mistake, I only had 2 questions- with the supposed Mueller 'witch hunt' going on, I found it oddly strange that Fox was covering the cup, (hmmmm), and Macron was sitting in sky box with Putin- think they were discussing trump in the breaks?
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France's Lloris was lucky that his error was inconsequential. Thibault Courtois, the Belgian goalie, was awarded the gold glove for best goalkeeper of the tournament.
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Croatia had multiple fouls that weren’t called in this game. France played better. They won by two goals, and one of Croatia’s goals was basically a gift from Lloris. The story that the world seems to want is that France didn’t deserve it, but they beat Argentina, Uruguay, Belgium. They had talent in truckloads. The story that Croatia would have won, if only, if only, if only, is just a story. And quoting two of the losing side as authorities on the matter? Come on.
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The final, at least for me, shall always bear a tint owing to two key disgraceful decisions by the referee: first, Griezmann was not fouled; he slipped and fell and should not have been awarded a free kick (leading to France's first goal). And, secondly, it was not a penalty - at least it was not a clear and obvious error. True the French were probably the best overall team in the WC - but, on the day, Croatia was the better team. Who knows what the outcome would have been if the score had been tied at 1-1 at half-time. So, hats off to Croatia for playing some brilliant football . . . and, France, for showing that integration and diversity (at least in its football team) is beautiful . . .
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Rory Smith, a brilliant piece that accurately depicts what I experienced watching the WC this past month. Well done!!
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Thanks to Rory Smith for great articles throughout the World Cup. After each match, I eagerly awaited Smith’s analysis and was always impressed by and grateful for his insight.
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What odd logic to concede that Croatia was the better team in the final, but to say that France deserved to win it all based on the month-long tournament.
On those grounds, Croatia, a tiny country compared to France, with consecutive come-from-behind wins in the knock-out round, deserved to win the World Cup far more than France ever did. Not to mention that Croatia played far more beautiful and creative soccer.
Even in the final, after the referee mistakenly gave France the goal-scoring free-kick (instead of issuing a yellow card to synchronized diver Griezmann), Croatia, again, came back to equalize. It took the ref's infuriating decision to give a nonexistent penalty to France, for Croatia to finally, but still not without a brave fight, surrender.
No team can win a World Cup final when it walks onto the pitch two goals down, courtesy of the referee.
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Sour grapes
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@Natalie
Yes, France was so good they beat the "better"team!
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I love the way this piece is written!
This World Cup has been inspiring and entertaining to say the least. Congratulations to France!
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Congratulations to France! However in my sixty five or so years, they are far from the most impressive World Cup champions, I've seen.
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So beautifully written.......
It was a great tournament; a great final. Two wonderful teams and for the reasons so eloquently presented here, a great winner in France!
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A fitting final, with drama and excitement flashing like the lightning over the stadium. So many happy memories from this tournament! And cheers to both France and Croatia. The two best teams from a wobbly draw made it all the way to the finals. And an electric final it was.
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My husband and I had our fit bits on and spent the last month stepping in front of the tv! lol - we had a blast. We watched with the tv muted and played the radio commentary from FDP radio The Spanish radio announcers are the best! We were momentarily saddened when Argentina (his team) lost. The google feature online was really fun too- people commenting from all over the world. We only discovered the stat feature during the last game - this was the best World Cup we've experienced together. It was fun to Skype and text friends around the world as the cup progressed and the playing field narrowed. In the end France, a country we both love won! Thanks for your coverage NYtimes! We enjoyed the interactive articles and look forward to the Women's World Cup, next year in France! U.S. is the reigning champion!
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France, like many other teams before, won because of luck pushed on by talent. The writer makes a virtue out of the team's narrow victories (but in soccer no one looks askance at a gift or chicanery as long as it is a goal). The first two goals were gifts and that put Croatia in a deep hole. This meant that Croatia had to abandon its tight defense, go on the attack and leave huge spaces open, hence the subsequent two goals. But to the victors's go the spoils and the accolade. The problem is ascribing to virtue what was due to the accidents of the game.
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Even if we accept your statement that the first 2 goals were gifts, France was moe than capable to score and win... as they did. Controlled superiority works that way as pointed out by Rory Smith's beautifully written article.
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The better team won, congratulations, but we Croats are still proud of our team and what they achieved in Russia, thank you guys! Until the next World Cup!
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Hard to argue with this tournament or the outcome. I enjoyed every minute! Long live the Beautiful Game!
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Great game. Both teams were superb. Kudos to Croatia, a team that turned out to be stronger than anyone thought. Salute to the French team!
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