Note: This story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by NCS Sports, our day by day e-newsletter on all issues World Cup. While we’re saying goodbye for now, we can be back for the European home membership season. See you then!
And identical to that, the 2026 World Cup is over. After 308 targets have been scored throughout 104 matches in 16 host cities throughout three continents, it was Spain that lifted the trophy.
And whereas the remaining wasn’t precisely one for the impartial, it was becoming that the best team in the match gained in the finish.
But whereas La Roja supporters round the world celebrated the nation’s second title (Spanish editor’s observe: my headache and I can affirm this occurred in North London), everybody else was left reflecting on an emotional, record-breaking, superstar-studded version of the match.
For years, there have been so many issues round this World Cup. Would it’s protected? Would the locals care? Would it’s a waste of cash? And whereas these critics have been proved proper at occasions, the 2026 version can nonetheless be thought of a resounding success.
And that’s not right down to the politicians or governing our bodies; it’s right down to the thousands and thousands of followers who flocked to North America to occasion with one one other. It’s right down to the superstars who turned up and carried out at the highest stage and to the match minnows who punched effectively above their weight.
So, in our final World Cup version of this article, it solely feels proper to recollect some of the most magical moments.
The Main Thing: And the award goes to…
Before Spain acquired its arms on the predominant trophy, there have been additionally a number of particular person awards handed out at the finish of yesterday’s remaining.
France’s Kylian Mbappé was named the winner of the Golden Boot after scoring 10 targets – changing into the World Cup’s all-time high scorer in the course of. Spanish defender Pau Cubarsí was named the best younger participant, Unai Simón was awarded the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper and midfielder Rodri gained the Golden Ball for participant of the match.
But whereas these official awards have already been determined, we at The Beautiful Game wished to acknowledge some of our personal winners. Treat this as NCS’s World Cup Oscars.
You could disagree with some selections, however that’s OK as a result of I’m fairly drained.
Best Game
Sorry, Spain followers, however it actually wasn’t the remaining. Fortunately, although, we have been handled to some unimaginable soccer matches over the previous month and alter.
The first recreation that springs to my thoughts is England’s heroic effort in opposition to Mexico in the Estadio Azteca. Down to 10 males, combating altitude and fervent dwelling assist, the Three Lions in some way clung on in opposition to the co-host to achieve the quarterfinals.
We then had the likes of Cape Verde drawing in opposition to Uruguay, 2-2, after which the Blue Sharks once more pushing defending champion Argentina to extra-time in the Round of 32.
But, on stability, I feel we’re given this to the Albiceleste’s 3-2 comeback in opposition to Egypt in the Round of 16. It had all the things. Controversy galore, sensible targets and a Lionel Messi-shaped miracle comeback.
At least you gained one thing, Argentina followers…
Best Goal
This is normally a tough class to determine, however I really suppose it’s fairly easy this yr. The award goes to Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral for his wondergoal in opposition to the Albiceleste in the knockout phases.
There are a couple of explanation why this was so particular. First, the strike itself was very good. He first beat his marker out vast earlier than slicing in and bending his effort into the high nook of the web.
Then think about the context. The purpose was in extra-time in opposition to Messi’s Argentina. All of a sudden, Cape Verde followers began to consider in miracles.
And then there was his celebration. Cabral was so excited that he bumped into the crowd on the lookout for somebody he knew to have a good time with. It was an iconic second that can be remembered for fairly a while.
Biggest Upset
This one has prompted some debate inside the crew. Not to maintain banging on about Cape Verde, however not many anticipated the tiny island nation to play so effectively, so most of its outcomes look like upsets on paper.
Then you may have Curaçao, the smallest nation to ever play in the competitors, who managed to carry onto a draw in opposition to Ecuador in the group phases.
But after a lot deliberation, I’m giving this to Paraguay for beating Germany in the Round of 32. Now I do know the Germans are struggling a bit with their present crop of gamers, however they undoubtedly ought to have crushed Paraguay on paper alone.
The South Americans, although, in some way went forward in the match and relied on a combating spirit to limit Germany to solely one purpose in reply. After defending that draw with their life, the Albirroja then beat the European powerhouse on penalties (one thing that only a few have achieved earlier than).
A fast break from the awards present to present you a way of what the World Cup win meant to Spain.
These are the phrases from goalscorer Ferrán Torres, who gained the remaining for his nation after scoring the solely purpose of the recreation.
Torres, 26, stated he felt the whole inhabitants of Spain behind him as he lashed his extra-time effort into the back of the web and it couldn’t have occurred to a extra deserving individual.
Torres – one of Barcelona’s key males up entrance – had been having an terrible match, lacking a plethora of possibilities all through the marketing campaign and being benched after beginning in opposition to Cape Verde. The Barça attacker got here by in the clutch, bringing pleasure to a complete nation that had nearly deserted him.
If you continue to don’t perceive how a lot soccer means to followers round the world, then simply watch this.
Spanish supporters crammed the streets of Madrid to have a good time the nation’s second World Cup title after the crew beat Argentina. NCS en Español’s Pau Mosquera was in and amongst the bedlam in the capital.
Fans react to Spain profitable the World Cup
Biggest Controversy
Right, back to the awards and, sadly, a couple of contenders for this class.
Even earlier than a ball was kicked, there have been lots of headlines. First, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States, that means his dream match got here to an finish earlier than it even started. Then we had the appalling treatment of the Iranian nationwide crew, which needed to change coaching bases at the final minute after which fly between its base in Mexico and the US so as to play its video games.
But the second that prompted the largest uproar was the crimson card choice round USA star Folarin Balogun. More notably, the indisputable fact that Donald Trump took it upon himself to attempt to overturn the choice.
It was a stark perception into how these with energy see the world. In no method ought to Trump be getting concerned in such a factor, and there is even much less cause FIFA ought to have listened.
It contributed to a tragic ending for the US crew, which performed so effectively at occasions and impressed a new generation to get into the sport of soccer.
No actual winners for this class, then.
Biggest Star
And lastly, which of the gamers stood out the most. We have a couple of contenders for this one.
Messi, of course, was very good and rolled back the years to provide some mesmerizing performances. We then have Mbappé who confirmed as soon as once more why he’s in all probability the simplest participant at worldwide tournaments – there is simply one thing particular about his recreation at World Cups and European Championships.
Then we have now to contemplate the likes of England’s Jude Bellingham who was simply immense for the Three Lions and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha who turned an in a single day star.
But, after lots of dialogue, I’m going to give up to the web memes and provides this award to Erling Haaland.
The web is seeing Erling Haaland in all places
While Norway’s World Cup run is over… some followers are chasing a unique dream: changing into an Erling Haaland look-alike.
The Norwegian striker did the enterprise on the pitch, let’s get that straight first. He took his crew to the quarterfinals, beating five-time champion Brazil on the method and scoring some huge targets. But his larger-than-life character additionally endeared him to folks throughout the world, many of whom didn’t even watch the video games.
The Haaland memes and video clips have been in all places. Lookalike occasions popped up throughout the world and folks fell in love with the 25-year-old’s strategy to, effectively, all the things.
“I’m quite happy with my life,” he stated after bowing out of the competitors.
Lifetime Achievement
Well, one final class – as a result of that’s what these types of award reveals do, proper?
It’s principally simply an excuse to acknowledge Lionel Messi for all the things he has achieved for soccer and reply the query that many individuals have: Is he now retiring from the worldwide recreation?
In reality, we don’t know but. At 39, he’s clearly not in a position to compete bodily in opposition to the best in the world throughout a complete match. But he does nonetheless present flashes of brilliance that make you suppose he can hold taking part in.
The tears at the finish of the remaining, although, counsel the place his thoughts could be at. He has nothing left to show and has gained all the things he probably can. He’ll in all probability take a while to replicate however, sure, there is an opportunity that’s the final time we see Messi in an Argentina jersey. But we have stated that earlier than.
Don’t concern, although. The Argentine is nonetheless contracted to play for Inter Miami till 2028, so he’ll certainly honor that and be back on a soccer pitch once more quickly.
And only a remaining observe from me as we wrap this article up for the World Cup. There has been a lot to speak about, break down and replicate on throughout this match and I hope you bought one thing out of this day by day drop.
We hope to be back in the not-so-distant future as soon as the world’s largest home leagues get back up and operating, however extra on that quickly.
For the time being, we’re off to take a seat on a seashore for a pair weeks and replicate on what has been one of the best summers of sport.
¡Adios!
And the final phrase goes to NCSers from throughout the world who tuned in to observe all the motion unfold. We hope you loved the match as a lot as we did.
