As fans voted, Benjamin Pavard’s goal for France against Argentina in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Russia World Cup was chosen as the best goal of the tournament on Thursday.
The 22-year-old netted sublime equalizer for France in 4-3 comeback win over Argentina in the Round of 16 which granted the team a quarterfinal berth. The defender’s effort pips 17 other sublime World Cup goals to top accolade, FIFA reported on its official website.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia treated football lovers to 169 goals in 64 matches.
In an online poll where over three million users casted their votes Pavard’s outside-of-the-foot rocket for France against Argentina, in which the 22-year-old displayed marvelous technique, has been voted as the Hyundai Goal of the Tournament. Hyundai name comes for the sponsorship reasons.
“The ball bounced up as it came to me,” said Pavard about his goal. “I didn’t even think about it. I just tried to get over it and keep it down. I was trying to hit it in the direction it came from, which is what the strikers always tell me. I didn’t think it over, and when it went in I just felt so happy.”
Pavard’s goal saw off stiff competition to win the accolade, including Juan Quintero’s delightful low free-kick for Colombia against Japan in the group stage which finished second, and Luka Modric’s long-range stunner against Argentina, also in the group stage, which came third in the voting. Pavard becomes the first European player to win the Goal of the Tournament accolade since its creation in 2006. At Brazil 2014, it was bestowed on eventual Adidas Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez, whose venomous, dipping volley also later earned him the 2014 FIFA Puskas Award.
Other previous winners include Maxi Rodriguez of Argentina and Uruguayan Diego Forlan winning in 2006 and 2010 respectively.
Add new comment
Read our comment policy before posting your viewpoints