The World’s Sport

July 3, 2018 /

I’m not here to convince you that soccer is the greatest sport in the world.

 

But, it’s the most popular sport in the world, and its not even close. This isn’t without good reason either.

 

The 2018 World Cup has played through 102 matches so far, and the knockout stage began Saturday. Of the six knockout matches, two needed extra time and penalty kicks to decide teams’ fates and the other four included the world’s greatest players and exciting offensive performances.

While soccer may not be your cup of tea, as is the case with a large population of America, it undeniably offers some of the most intense action and moments that can be found in sports.

From game winning goals, to bending shots, athletic saves, and so on, the back and forth offensive showcase the World Cup has been so far has something for any sports fan.

 

So, without wasting anymore time, take a look at some of the top moments so far in the 2018 World Cup.

 

First up, Christiano Ronaldo’s free kick to complete his hat trick against Spain.

 

Tony Kroos buried a similar free kick for Germany in extra time:

 

 

Nacho sends a laser volley off both posts into the back of the net for Spain:

 

Benjamin Pavard raises Nacho this volley from way out:

 

Kylian Mbappe, the 19 year old from France, finishes his second goal of the game to give his country the would-be game winning goal.

 

Coutinho bends one around and off the post in Brazil’s opening game against the Swiss:

 

 

Luka Modric scores from almost 30 feet out, barely sneaking it inside the post and the goalie:

 

World class footwork and touches by the Argentinian’s give Messi his first goal of the World Cup:

Finally, Russian goalkeeper Akinfeev acrobatically saves the final penalty kick that sends Spain home in one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history on his home country’s field:

 

The World Cup only comes around once every four years, and this year it has delivered tenfold.

Ignore the theatrics of players falling down, desperately trying to earn a penalty while simultaneously being nominated for an Oscar. Soccer may never distance itself from this type of thing, and believe me, there isn’t anyone that enjoys watching that kind of thing. If you can look past it in basketball, you can laugh at it in this sport too.

Virtually every well known athlete in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB has deep roots in the game of soccer, and there’s good reasons why. Odell Beckham Jr., Sidney Crosby, Steve Nash, Andrew Luck, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, 300 pound lineman Ndamukong Suh, and Kobe Bryant are just a short list. Even LeBron has minority ownership in Liverpool.

So enjoy the story lines, athletic plays, and nail-biting finishes, because an open mind may just be enough to enjoy the game for what it is. Exciting.