By Gary

I predicted Argentina would win this World Cup and it was never in doubt, was it?

After Argentina lost their opening game against Saudi Arabia 2-1 it wasn’t looking good.

Other shocks in the Group Stages followed with Japan beating Germany 2-1 and Cameroon beating Brazil 1-0 in their final group game.

Morocco probably shocked everybody and became the first African team to reach the semifinals, finishing fourth after losing the 3/4th playoff to Croatia.

The Moroccan fans were amazing making all their matches feel like Morocco were the home team.

Some of the big countries like Germany and Portugal were all really disappointing.

As were Brazil and Spain in the end, they started well but things went badly wrong against Morocco for the Spanish in the last 16.

The Final itself was absolutely incredible, probably the best World Cup Final ever.

Argentina thought they have won; they were 2-0 up until the 80th Minute when Kylian Mbappe came to life and ended up scoring a Hat Trick, to become the second player ever scored in a World Cup Final after Geoff Hurst in 1966.

Sadly unlike Hurst, Mbappe lost in the game. The final went to Penalties and Argentina held their nerve to lift the trophy. Argentina’s Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is definitely a character and did his best to put the French player’s off.

For one of the Penalties, he actually through the ball away and made the taker go and get it.

Martinez was Booked for his antics but I’m sure he will take that given his team won the World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe finished as the World Cup’s top Goal Scorer winning the Golden Boot, scoring 8 Goals with 3 in the final.

Argentina picked up three awards with Lionel Messi taking the Player of the Tournament, Emiliano Martinez won the best Goalkeeper and Enzo Fernandez and Young player awards.

My Goal of the tournament was in the 3rd/4th game when Mislav Orsic for Croatia curled the ball over the goalkeeper on the right-hand edge of the area.

For England I think we got to about where I would have expected us to, losing in the quarterfinals to France.

My Team Of The Tournament

Goalkeeper – Dominik Livakovic – Croatia – Plays his football in Croatia for Dinamo Zagreb. You would think he will move to a bigger league before long. At 27 he is still young for a goalkeeper and I could easily see him playing in one of the top five European leagues.

Right Back – Achraf Hakimi – Morocco – The 24-Year-Oldplays his club football for Paris Saint Germain. Hakimi is a very good attacking Full Back.

Centre Back – Josko Gvardiol – Croatia – The 20-Year-Old has been really dominant in this World Cup. Gvardiol plays for RB Leipzig in Germany, and I believe he could play for any club side in the World, he is that good.

Centre Back – Cristian Romero – Argentina – Romero is 24 and he plays for Spurs. He can be a little over aggressive, but his quality is undeniable.

Left Back – Ivan Perisic – Croatia – Perisic has looked really impressive in this World Cup wherever Croatia have chosen to play him. At 33 this will probably be his last World Cup.

Centre Midfielder – Jude Bellingham – England – I was really impressed with the 19-Year-Olds performances for England in this World Cup. He looks such a more experienced player than his age. Bellingham has shown really good leadership qualities and maturity. Bellingham plays his club football in Germany for Borussia Dortmond. I predict a big move for him in the Summer with teams like Real Madrid, Man City and Liverpool all being linked with a move for him.

Centre Midfielder – Sofyan Amrabat – The Morocco Mid-Fielder really makes his team tick; he sits just in front of the Defence. Amrabat plays his club football for Italian side Fiorentina.

Centre Midfielder – Gavi – Spain – Incredible that Gavi is only 18 year old. He controls matches from the Midfield or both Spain and Barcelona. Earlier this year Gavi became Spain’s youngest ever player.

Attacking Midfielder – Luka Moderic – Croatia – The Croatian midfielder just never gives the ball away and his technique is exquisite. An argument could be made that he is the best player the world has ever seen in his position. Still plays at the highest level for his club side Real Madrid.

Attacking Midfielder – Lionel Messi – Argentina – I’m not sure what I can say that hasn’t already been said about Messi. One of the greatest players of all time. I am so glad he finally has his World Cup Winner’s medal. Argentina allow Messi to play at his own pace, sometimes he seems to be just walking around the pitch. But when he turns it on it is a joy to behold. Messi is now 35 so could possibly be his last World Cup.

Striker – Kylian Mbappe – France – So fast and powerful, Mbappe is also a great finisher. I think he is probably currently the best player in the World.

Honourable mentions:

Goalkeepers:

• Bono – Morocco
• Emiliano Martínez – Argentina.
• Hugo Llorris – France.

Defenders:

• Denzel Dumfries – Netherlands.
• Virgil Van Dijk – Netherlands.
• Matthijs de Ligt – Netherlands.
• Marquintos – Brazil.
• Theo Hernandez – France.
• Alphso Davies – Canada.
• Pepe – Portugal.

Midfielders:

• Declan Rice – England.
• Pedri – Spain.
• Sergio Busquets – Spain.
• Frenkie De Jong – Netherlands.
• Casemiro – Brazil.
• Adrien Rabiot – France.
• Enzo Fernandez – Argentina.
• Alexis Mac Allister – Argentina.
• Bruno Fernandes – Portugal.

Attacking Midfielders/Wingers.

• Phil Foden – England.
• Marcus Rashford – England.
• Joao Felix – Portugal.
• Cody Gakpo – Netherlands.
• Antoine Griezmann – France.
• Ousmane Dembélé – France.

Strikers:

• Robert Lewandowski – Poland.
• Harry Kane – England.
• Richarlison – Brazil.
• Julián Álvarez – Argentina.
• Olivier Giroud – France.
• Gonçalo Ramos – Portugal.