27 things we loved at the World Cup: Kante, Maguire, Hazard & more
The 2018 World Cup was an absolute cracker – and Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool men were among those to catch our eye at various points in Russia.
France lifted the trophy for a second time on Sunday after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final.
It was obviously an unforgettable tournament for Gareth Southgate and England, and we’ve rounded up some of the best moments on and off the pitch from a glorious summer.
N’Golo Kante
What. A. Man.
There is the suggestion tonight from several sources that during the on-pitch trophy celebrations, Steven N'Zonzi had to ask certain players to let N'Golo Kanté hold the World Cup trophy because the man himself was too shy to ask & didn't want to impose on anyone. What a hero.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) July 15, 2018
Milad Mohammadi
A moment so great it earned Iran’s left-back a place in our (alternative) team of the tournament.
Iran with the greatest throw in, in World Cup history 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/sPZVYRxbZW
— Kostya Georgievsky ¥ (@kostyacoffee) June 20, 2018
Alisson
Thanks for the gifs, Alisson.
GIF of the day pic.twitter.com/eFm4aQg26E
— SH (@Sennesation) June 17, 2018
Neymar
Annoying, but really good.
Neymar is enjoying himself … #BRA pic.twitter.com/OVYpTR60rs
— Voicing Football (@VoicingFootball) June 22, 2018
Eden Hazard
Just to reiterate the point: Eden Hazard is an absolutely wonderful footballer. This Nike ad summed the Belgian attacker up wonderfully.
John Jupp
He still belieeeeeeeeves.
C'mon England! John Jupp from Blyton's certainly got into the 2018 Fifa World Cup spirit!! pic.twitter.com/Jf8I3gEooz
— BBC Radio Lincolnshire (@BBCRadioLincs) June 14, 2018
Supporters
There are going to be lots of these. Football fans are ace.
Some Colombian and Mexican fans lifting up an Egyptian fan in a wheelchair in the fanzone so he can watch his country play 😩❤
It's really more than just a game 🙏 pic.twitter.com/rPSCvB41f9— OMAR 👑 (@Omaaar96) June 16, 2018
Ally McCoist and Jon Champion
Everybody’s favourite commentary duo. We hotly anticipate the buddy cop movie.
All set in Kaliningrad. First worked with Ally McCoist on WC98. Delighted to be reunited with this bundle of energy and enthusiasm! #CRONGA live on @ITV pic.twitter.com/3mhwYOFdnS
— Jon Champion (@JonChampionJC) June 16, 2018
Panini stickers
We’d all love to see ourselves as a Panini sticker. This Brazil fan made his dream a reality.
Here's a Brazil supporter dressed up a Panini sticker. Brillant. pic.twitter.com/qC6NpYVZF3
— Martin Flynn (@addictedaddick) June 17, 2018
Lionel Messi
After Argentina’s crucial win against Nigeria, a reporter told Messi: “After the first game I gave you a good luck amulet that my wife gave me, I don’t know if you threw it away or something…”
His disbelief when Messi shows him he had it on the whole time is wonderful.
Nigeria fans
We sing this at every single penalty now.
Every Nigerian household as they watch that Iceland penalty😂😂 pic.twitter.com/4k3QNgivsC
— THE M1 SHOW🌊 (@TheM1Show) June 22, 2018
The ITV studio
Wrighty, Keane, Bilic. ITV’s studio was a lot of fun this year. Keane was on such good form, in fact, that we analysed every single comment he made before, during and after England’s defeat to Croatia.
So much going on here.
Roy Keane reluctantly grinning at Ian Wright’s implication that Gareth Southgate was up to something in the woods when dislocated his shoulder. pic.twitter.com/644798xygi
— James McLaughlin (@jj_mclaughlin) June 20, 2018
Gareth Southgate
We love him. Of course we bloody love him. But he also deserves praise for services to waistcoat sales.
Gareth Southgate: Fashion icon? 👀
Waistcoat sales are up by 35% as people copy the @England manager's style. 👔
World Cup Daily Podcast 🎙️⚽️ https://t.co/X4R5uSJmVB#WorldCup #bbcworldcup pic.twitter.com/hUuT3Jraz5
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) July 1, 2018
England
Plenty of people have tried to denigrate England’s achievement in reaching the semi-finals, but what happened on the pitch is secondary. The real story is that the country has united behind its football team for the first time in a long time. It’s been great.
READ: 16 things we loved about England’s World Cup: Southgate, you’re the one
Jo Hyeon-Woo
Textbook goalkeeping.
#SWE vs #KOR still goalless thanks to Jo Hyeon-Woo's scrambling save to keep Berg's short-range effort outhttps://t.co/ukF3RDTdeN pic.twitter.com/S00CYI38oB
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) June 18, 2018
Harry Maguire
Give that man and his big head a knighthood.
Yeah so a good header doesn’t hurt. I mean the moment you head it proper, you feel it’s a good one. Know what I mean love? pic.twitter.com/a5b8UqDjv2
— Kyle Walker (@kylewalker2) July 7, 2018
Sadio Mane
Senegal quickly became one of our favourite teams, while it’s good to see Mane still loves to join in with a celebration.
Mane/Senegal's celebrations👌🏼pic.twitter.com/LevvArzdtY
— LFC KNOWLEDGE (@LFCknowledge) June 19, 2018
Like the Gods
Even St Petersburg’s Academy of Fine Arts Museum has got World Cup fever.
Michy Batshuayi
Still funny. Still sore, no doubt.
Still funny…#ENGBEL #worldcup #bbcworldcup pic.twitter.com/ckc4iwD94K
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 29, 2018
Sweden
Subjected to racist abuse after the defeat to Germany, Jimmy Durmaz had the backing of the whole Sweden squad.
Toulouse attacker Jimmy Durmaz was subjected to racist abuse on social media last night after his foul led to Toni Kroos' winning free-kick goal over Sweden. Today, he responded, backed by the whole squad: "F*** racism." pic.twitter.com/vAjhUQ4vg2
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) June 24, 2018
Mexico’s Korean embassy
This sounds like the start of a very good night.
Re: Korea defeating Germany, thus allowing Mexico to progress to the next round–this video of Mexican fans bumrushing the Korean embassy in Mexico City to thank the ambassador personally, and forcing him to down tequila shots is so beautiful and perfect 😂 #KORGER pic.twitter.com/E1GeZCRrlK
— Very Stable Genius (@Rantaramic) June 27, 2018
Nordin Amrabat
Not a fan of VAR, Nordin?
Iconic World Cup moment 😂 pic.twitter.com/dFzu4FeUcE
— VERSUS (@vsrsus) June 25, 2018
Harry Maguire and John Stones
You can take the boys out of Yorkshire…
Arise Sir John Stones and Sir Harry Maguire. The Yorkshire Two Towers. Hero's of Moscow. Masters of shithousery. pic.twitter.com/qcLYApjzQe
— Jamie Allen (@plymkrprss) July 4, 2018
Japan fans
Japan’s supporters earned plenty of praise for clearing up in the stands after themselves, and fans of other teams often joined in to help.
コロンビアサポーターが素晴らしいかった。
何人もからコングラチュレーション言われた。
僕らの青袋取って、ゴミも一緒に拾ってくれた。逆の結果で、僕らはできるだろうか?
サッカーの奥は深いね pic.twitter.com/4gE7HOb6Up— ちょんまげ隊長ツンさん (@tsunsan) June 19, 2018
Diego Maradona
A lively tournament for El Diego, shall we say.
90 minutes in the life of Diego Maradona. #NGAARG pic.twitter.com/tvSH8iEkWD
— • (@Beardamendi) June 26, 2018
Panama
It was worth a try.
Panama players tried getting kickoff when England players where celebrating 💀💀💀💀💀Imagine being this desperate pic.twitter.com/OHQ5XRBfwA
— Zayn (🖕🇫🇷)🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷 (@MahrezEsque_) June 24, 2018
Senegal supporters
Honestly, we might just start supporting Senegal now.
Despite Senegalese fans bringing real colour to Moscow, the police are currently searching all their rooms – supposedly to find out why the fans are dancing so much. I kid you not. A sweep is going on right now, with a police dog in tow. #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/UuW5S1pIIZ
— Piers Edwards (@piers_e) June 19, 2018
Football, bloody hell
This Germany fan’s reaction to Toni Kroos’ last-minute winner against Sweden pretty much sums up how we feel about the whole tournament.
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