Russia 2018: 5 things we loved about the World Cup

Could Russia 2018 really be the best World Cup in the tournament’s history? Time will tell. For now, here are the five things we loved about it.

The World Cup is one of those global events cloaked in its own history. There is always an urge to compare one tournament to a past one, current players to those of decades ago and whether the quality of games has either increased or decreased through the years.

Observers are also prone to hyperbole. Words like “legendary” and “thrilling” are tossed around with regularity. Every journalist has been known to use those words when confronted by a tight deadline. Language isn’t often limiting, but our memories are. In some cases, maybe it’s the human condition to think of what’s new as best.

Nostalgic types do the opposite, looking to yesteryear as better and the present as somewhat inferior. Often it is misplaced. Case in point: Italia ’90. Soccer fans around for that World Cup know what that tournament was all about. 

Where does Russia 2018 rank? The passion and drama witnessed across this beautiful and immense country over the past four weeks has arguably made this tournament one of the best World Cups in history, if not the very best ever. France were worthy champions, defeating a never-say-die Croatia side in a final that will be hard to forget. Please excuse the hyperbole, but it’s hard to resist after seeing so many late comebacks and set-piece goals. More on that further down. 

“It is the best World Cup ever,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino proclaimed Friday at a news conference in Moscow.  

Time will tell. For now, here are the five things we learned to love at this World Cup.  

5. Large numbers of Latin American fans

Despite being in Russia, fans from across the Americas flew to Moscow and the other venues in large droves. They added color and passion to the tournament, something many Europeans failed to do after deciding to stay home.

Tens of thousands of fans from across Latin America made the long trek to Russia to support their favorite national teams and the tournament was better for it. Peruvian fans were by far the most colorful (and beloved), but large crowds of Argentine, Brazilian, Colombian and Mexican supporters also made for a great atmosphere at the start of the competition. They were a wonderful addition to a tournament that had sensational hosts.

In some cases, South Americans outnumbered Europeans at games and Fan Fests. It made for a colorful atmosphere that delighted Russians and made the tournament a pageantry of colors. England fans, for example, had largely stayed home. Some 10,000 came to Moscow ahead of the Three Lions match against Croatia, which they later lost 2-1 in extra time.

4. VAR proves its worth

Controversial before the start of the World Cup, the use of video assistant review proved its worth in the end. There were still some controversial moments, but on the whole there were a lot fewer of them.

France’s first game against Australia was the first time VAR was ever used at a World Cup to award a penalty kick. Antoine Griezmann was inside the box before he went down under contact from Josh Risdon. Referee Andres Cunha initially allowed play to continue, but stopped the game after being alerted by the VAR crew in Moscow. The referee checked the replay on the monitor and awarded the penalty that Griezmann later scored.

As a result, decisions made by refs and their assistants became more accurate and it cut down on players fouling one another. It also had other ramifications. Reviews cost time and refs had to add more stoppage time than usual. It also led to an explosion of set-piece goals.

3. Major upsets

This was a tournament loaded with upsets. The defending champions, Germany, went out in the first round after a defeat to South Korea, a rudderless Argentina hobbled into the round of 16, only to be eliminated by France, and Brazil were ousted by Belgium in the quarterfinals. Stars like Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo were largely disappointments. Individual stars were replaced by collective efforts of teams.

Spain, another team many thought could win the whole thing, bowed out to hosts Russia in the round of 16 following a tense penalty shootout. The Russians became this World Cup’s Cinderella team, but the slipper tightened after being eliminated by Croatia in the quarterfinals.

As a result, neither Germany, Argentina or Brazil reached for the semifinal round for the first time since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 1930. The shock defeats opened the door to new teams, like dark horses Croatia and Belgium, to advance to the semifinals.

2. Late-game heroics and comebacks

VAR did mean more stoppage time. More time meant teams did everything they could to either win or equalize. It meant never turning off a game early and delighting in some brilliant comebacks.

Two of the biggest comebacks came in the knockout stage, where teams had little choice but go for it or risk elimination. The first was Belgium’s 3-2 win against Japan in the round of 16. After Belgium fell behind 2-0 in the second half, they mounted a great comeback that was capped off by Nacer Chadli’s strike in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The other great comeback took place in the semifinals, when Croatia defeated England. Mario Mandzukic’s extra time-goal sending the Croatians to their first ever World Cup final.

Next: Ranking every World Cup, from worst to best

1. Set pieces, set pieces, set pieces

Yes, this World Cup was all about the dead ball. Whether it was a free-kick from outside the penalty area, a corner kick or PK, players and managers were using these plays to maximum effect.

England were by far the best at them after setting a record for the most set-piece goals at a World Cup since 1966. Kieran Trippier’s goal to give his side a temporary 1-0 lead over Croatia in the semifinals gave the Three Lions their ninth set-piece goal at the tournament. That broke the previous record of eight England held along with Portugal’s 1966 side.

Dead ball plays came to define this tournament. The high number, more than the Champions League and Europe’s major domestic leagues, were a surprise. In such a short tournament, the sample size may not be enough. We will see if this becomes a more widespread trend going forward or whether the effects of VAR have already started to change the game before our very eyes.

Who knows? Only time will tell.