Golden Boot winner England's Harry Kane with six goals - (soccer.ru photo)

France's 19-year-old wonder kid Kylian Mbappe is the first teenager since Pele to score twice in a World Cup game - (soccer.ru photo)

Since San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for America's national anthem he has had his life threatened, been criticized and received support and criticism from fellow professional athletes and he continues to TAKE A KNEE AGAINST RACIAL INJUSTICE KAEPERNICK TAKES A KNEE AGAINST RACISM

SPORTS NOTES - WORLD CUP THE BEST - RUSSIA WINS OVER VISITORS

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

The irony is 16 members of the French title winning squad have family roots to Africa. One of the sticky points for US president Donald Trump is he has made negative racist comments about the continent. Fortunately for Trump they are French and he won't have to be embarrassed that the team would turn him down to visit the White House to be congratulated

Sunday, July 15, 2018

THE BEST WORLD CUP EVER?

Without question this World Cup in Russia was the best we've ever seen since 2002 and perhaps the BEST EVER. In the title match France defeated Croatia 4-2 in a game that was still thrilling in spite of the score.

France won its second World Cup after a 20 year wait when they defeated Brazil 3-0 1998 on their home turf. France is only one of eight nations to win the event since it began in 1930.

Overall the competition thrilled billions of football fans around the world that overall viewed the 63 games on TV or smart phones. How could anyone ask for more given 4 penalty shoot-out results with Croatia being involved in two of them. The Croats also played an extra time semifinal contest DEFEATING England 2-1 in extra time four days prior to taking on France. With all of their extra time Croatia played almost entire game worth of minutes.

It was the changing of the guards of superstars as there are now new kinds on the block. The expectation was that fans wanted outstanding play from Ronaldo and Messi who many believe may be their final World Cup appearance. The results revealed two new super stars with Golden Boot winner England's Harry Kane with six goals and France's 19-year-old wonder kid Kylian Mbappe making strong showings.

Two goals against Argentina in the last 16 saw him become the first teenager since Pele to score twice in a World Cup game, and he followed that by becoming the youngest player since Pele to score in a World Cup final.

The VAR system that prevented many arguments and a lot of tension turned out to be a worthwhile addition. There were very few complaints about the system and it prevented wrong decisions and creating unworthy winners.

Complaints of the system primarily came from non participating referees that evidently don't want any decision making power taken from them and refuse to give up their authority to technology.

England, Croatia and Russia had to be the biggest surprises as they achieved more than was expected from there squads. Croatia reaching the finals was the biggest surprise since they come from a nation with a population of only 4.1 million people. Croatia lacks a national stadium and is embroiled in a corruption scandal.

England equaled their best performance in a World Cup in years. With a new faces squad of young bloods that produced strong performances. Harry Maguire had more than twice as many touches in the opposition penalty area (23) as any other defender in the competition as well as the joint-most headed attempts of any player (nine).

Kieran Trippier created more goal scoring chances than any other player (24), finishing ahead of Neymar, Kevin de Bruyne, Luka Modric, Eden Hazard and Philippe Coutinho, in that order. Harry Kane is only the second Englishman to win the Golden Boot at the World Cup.

Russia was felt to be undeserving but was the host country giving them a place in the competition. Their making it to the quarterfinals was shocking to many. They shocked the world as they barley lost to Croatia in a penalty shoot-out before losing 2-2 (4-3).

The most successful squads from the past that failed, Germany, Brazil and Argentina have to be the most disappointing. Previous Cup winner Germany had to be the most disappointing by being eliminated in the group stage. They looked terrible being unenthusiastic, inept and lethargic. They were ranked #1 in the June FIFA World Rankings but the surely that will change.

Brazil ranked 2nd in the FIFA rankings went out in the quarterfinals. Fourth ranked Portugal was eliminated in the group stage. Fifth ranked Argentina and 10th ranked Spain were both eliminated in the top 16 by Russia in a penalty shoot-out 1-1 (4-3). Argentina lost 4-3 to France and Portugal were dropped by Uruguay 2-1 in the quarterfinals.

The teams that maintained their FIFA ranking status were third ranked Belgium and ironically finished 3rd and France that were ranked 7th. It is a no brainer that that rankings will change drastically and most likely another team will replace Germany as #1.

High marks go to Japan who was ranked 61st. Japan's team and their fans received international media praise as they were credited to take their time after their games to clean up their trash in the stadium and locker rooms even after they were eliminated from the competition.

The World Cup Russia 2018 went on without a hitch with all credit due to the Russians and their superb preparations. There were no last minute or unfinished stadiums or infrastructures as has been the case in more recent World Cups during this century.

Foreign fans that attended the games were overwhelmed by the Russian hospitality and facilities. To those attending the games Russia is not what foreign politicians make in out to be as being a nation to fear. Those fans addressing the subject expressed that nothing could be further from the truth.

Russian citizens expressed how thrilled they were with in meeting so many nice foreigners from nations around the word and making friends with many of the visitors to their country.

The event coincided with racist US president Donald Trump invading the region to meet with NATO members, and a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The irony is 16 members of the French squad have family roots to Africa one of the sticky points for Trump who made negative comments about the continent. Fortunately for Trump they are French and he won't have to be embarrassed that the team would turn him down to visit the White House to be congratulated.

To be continued…

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