Issue 1

Although we
know well that the
French will nonstop rub
their victory on our eyes for
the next four years, the drapes
had to come down on the 2018
World Cup.
Lucas, Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba,
Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane,
Samuel Umtiti,... got graciously crowned
on top of all football players of the whole
world.
Les Bleus have the exclusive rights to boast
and take pride, with Croatia finishing as second place
and Belgium claiming third spot in a tournament that left us with
many unforgettable memories.
Paradox winked at the sworn Croatian enemies, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, who were the
gladiators of the team as they’ve went through a lot of storms and still reached final following three
extra-time periods and two penalty strikes in their legs. The Barcelona midfielder, Ivan Rakitic ,was left
engulfed with arrogance after seeing his Real Madrid rival and Croatia team-mate, Luka Modric, hailed the
best player at World Cup 2018, they were swept in a game of glory, just like Belgians who were about to touch
the Cup before being beaten in the semi-final.
Roberto Martinez proudly stood watching the skills of his three musketeers; Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard,
and Kevin De Bruyne as they climbed to the bronze medal spot. They have conquered Brazil in the
quarter-final and their counter-attacks were wildly stunning and equally fatal.
Even the Russian authorities and police had chance to shine in the tournament as their unprecedented
security measures and safety standards prevented the ultras and other fellow hooligans from acting out
or merely showing up at the stadiums.
Everything went smoothly and even the host nation outdid their potentials by reaching the
quarter-final.
Video Assistant Referee also appeared for the first time is world cup history for it has now
claimed a steady place among football main elements. It helped the referee by highlighting
various mistakes and was an achievement in a World Cup in which modest teams have
unexpectedly risen a step and made it a tournament of numerous surprises.
Sweden reached the last eight, Iran hard-pressed Portugal and Spain to their
boundaries, planet Japan shuddered Belgium before being eradicated and
not to mention cleaning up their dressing room.
THE GOOD
But not everything sparkled under the tournament’s
flood lights.
In a World Cup that is being discussed as one of the
best of recent editions, it also had some less positive
aspects.
While the organisation, services, logistics and transport
were immaculate, some of the over qualified teams’
performances weren’t impressive in any way.
The premature elimination of the reigning champions:
Germany, Argentina, Brazil, and Spain shocked fans all
over the world.
Likewise, giant players like Robert Lewandowski, Neymar, Thomas Muller, and Lionel Messi documented
awful disappointment after all of the bright hopes placed upon them.
Another nasty smack came with boundless displeasure of the African and Arab nations.
Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco and Nigeria all exited even before the group stage and left them
without significant representation for the first instance since 1982.
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