Sports
Of 169 goals, Pavard’s stunner voted best World Cup goal
Football fans all over the world have voted Benjamin Pavard’s stunning goal as the best of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The French defender struck during his country’s 4-3 victory against Argentina in the second round of the just-concluded Russia showpiece.
France went on to win the competition, after going past Uruguay in the last eight, Belgium in the semifinals and Croatia in the final.
Pavard becomes the first European player to win the Goal of the Tournament accolade since its creation in 2006.
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Super Eagles’ Ahmed Musa’s second goal against Iceland was also included in the 18 goals shortlist, from which over 3 million online users voted for Pavard’s.
The defender had told FIFA.com after the game: “The ball bounced up as it came to me. 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 stunner came first above second-placed Juan Quintero’s delightful low free-kick for Colombia against Japan and third-placed Luka Modric’s long-range stunner for Croatia against Argentina.
Golden Boot winner and Colombia’s star man, James Rodriguez won the accolade in 2014, after Maxi Rodriguez of Argentina and Diego Forlan of Uruguay had won it in 2006 and 2010 respectively.
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