Best game
The final
Well, duh. There have been some stinkers over the years, and there is always a fear the two teams in the last game will be extra cagey. But Monday’s decider was an absolute barnstormer featuring some wonderful football and every dramatic twist you could imagine. And it ended, appropriately, with a magic little fella sealing his G.O.A.T status with victory.
Honourable mentions
Netherlands v Argentina
A quarterfinal for the ages that had both niggle (18 yellow cards and all manner of stoushes) and sublime football. Argentina looked home and hosed with a 2-0 lead before the Netherlands pulled one back. Then, in the 10th minute of stoppage time (about average for this tournament, weirdly), the Dutch pulled off the greatest free kick routine in history to send it to extra time. The Argies then won on penalties.
Cameroon v Serbia
A good old six-goal thriller that ended in a draw. Not that it was a result that helped either team.
Favourite moments
1. Salem Al-Dawsari’s rocket of a goal to give Saudi Arabia a 2-1 lead in the opening round against Argentina. That was the final score, and it already seemed Messi’s dream was ruined.
2. Japan celebrating. Surely the most popular team at the tournament. Celebrated victory over Spain, celebrated victory over Germany, celebrated a 1-0 lead in the first knockout round against Croatia . . . before losing on penalties.
3. Family moments. The son of Tottenham star Ivan Perisic running to console a tearful Neymar after Croatia knocked Brazil out. And Morocco’s Sofiane Boufal dancing with his mum. Nawwww.
4. Mr Sulk. Cristiano Ronaldo got pilloried for claiming a goal he did not touch, got dropped, got knocked out, and got to watch rival Messi win the tournament and the best player award. And his best mate is Piers Morgan.
Best predictions
Hat tip to ODT online editor Sean Flaherty and Southern Football boss Dougal McGowan for correctly predicting Argentina would win the tournament. The less said about sports reporter Adrian Seconi tipping Germany, the better. (This guy? Brazil.)
Team of the tournament
GK: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina) - of course the best goalie in the world right now plays for Aston Villa.
LB: Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) - did not play every game but just looked like the complete fullback
CB: Raphael Varane (France) - a class act at the back
CB: Josko Gvardiol (Croatia) - the masked man (well, he is still just 20) helped the efficient Croats conceded just three goals in five games before being undone by Messi.
RB: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) - absolutely phenomenal in the African nation’s fairytale run to the semifinals.
CM: Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco) - and not just because he might be heading to Liverpool, but because he was extraordinary.
CM: Luka Modric (Croatia) - the old stager just strolled around doing what he does best.
LW: Mbappe (France) - next to Steph Curry, the most thrilling athlete in a team sport on the planet, and did not deserve to lose the final.
ST: Julian Alvarez (Argentina) - nobody was tipping him to be a contender for a player of the tournament but the Manchester City man was the perfect foil for Messi.
RW: Messi (Argentina) - the king, and the G.O.A.T.
Reserves: Dominik Livakovic (Croatia), Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina), Romain Saisse (Morocco), Antoine Griezmann (France), Enzo Fernandez (Argentina), Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), Olivier Giroud (France).
Manager: Walid Regragui (Morocco).
Missing out: Theo Hernandez, Stones, Marquinhos, Otamendi, Romero, Maguire, Mac Allister, Casemiro, Tchouameni, Kovacic, Ziyech, Saka, Richarlison, Bruno Fernandes
Top eight in 2026
1. England. It’s coming home.
2. France. Mbappe will still be just 27.
3. Netherlands. Just a hunch.
4. Brazil. It will be 24 years and counting.
5. Croatia. Modric will only be 41.
6. Senegal. Time for another African team to make history.
7. United States. Wildcard on home soil.
8. All Whites. Should qualify if tournament expands. And let’s not forget we were unbeaten last time.
