Benjamin Pavard’s stunner against Argentina in the round of 16, has been selected as the best goal of FIFA World Cup 2018, the FIFA confirmed on Wednesday. The online vote which took place on FIFA.com had more than three million fans from across the world voting for different players.
This World Cup saw 169 goals in 64 matches that were played in Russia from June 14 to July 15. But none could beat Pavard’s wonder goal which eventually emerged emerged as the best goal of the tournament.
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France was trailing 1-2 against Argentina, when the 22-year-old struck from just outside the box after bringing down a Lucas Hernandez cross to score an astonishing equaliser. ‘Les Bleus’ went onto win the knock-out match 4-3 and beat Croatia 4-2 in the final to lift their second World Cup.
“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,” said Pavard.
Juan Quintero’s clever free-kick for Colombia against Japan came second, while Golden Ball winner Luka Modric’s long-range effort against Argentina in the group stage finished third.
Colombia’s James Rodriguez won the award in 2014. Whereas it was clinched by Uruguay’s Diego Forlan in 2010 and Argentina’s Maxi Rodriguez topped the list in 2006. This is the first time an European player has achieved the feat.