Let’s start with a disclaimer- I have not seen all the World Cups. Surely, there have been great World Cups before this. Players like Pele, Maradona, Johan Cruyff and Garrincha have dazzled football fans with their skills. There has been big upsets and surprises before too. However, none of these seems to has had the collective shock and awe factor that the FIFA World Cup 2018 has displayed so far (and none has surely caused an earthquake).
As the World Cup takes a well-needed customary break before the last 8 stage, let’s sit down and talk about why we are so impressed with the Russia edition. While the group stage action of the FIFA World Cup 2018 has ensured its position among the greatest tournaments, the Round of 16 matches have elavated its status even higher. We’ve seen it all in this World Cup- brilliant play, spectacular goals, exciting skills, last minute drama and big-big surprises.
If I may borrow a famous Bollywood line- “Iss kahani mein drama hai, emotion hai, tragedy hai.” Things could, and might still, go wrong- but they remain on the same trajectory, Russia is on its way to staging the best World Cup ever. Minnows Matter The difference between the good and the bad is not ugly anymore. One of the best reasons to celebrate this World Cup is the closing of the gap between the so-called weak and big teams.
Teams like Russia, South Korea, Iceland, Iran, Morocco have not only chellenged but also some times knocked down the traditions powerhouses. While big teams have been upset before in World Cups, the frequency of such matches has given rise to an unpredictability where ties are no longer ‘done and dusted’ even before being contested. This has added significant intrigue to the tournament.
Russia sent back Spain, South Korea knocked out Germany and Japan almost upset Belgium. England, a minnows in their own right when it comes to penalty shootouts, also slayed their demons for a famous win. We have some surprising names in the last 8. However, each of these newcomers deserves their place and are not riding on dumb luck.