Sports

Benjamin Pavard’s super strike wins goal of the tournament for FIFA World Cup

The French full-back’s stunning effort came in the last-16 match against Argentina.

Written by : TNM Staff

FIFA has officially announced that French full-back Benjamin Pavard’s sensational volley against Argentina has been voted as the World Cup's goal of the tournament. 

The full-back struck the ball with the outside of his right boot into the top-left corner giving Argentine goalkeeper Franco Armani absolutely no chance, as France equalised at 2-2 just before the hour mark, in a thrilling last-16 match between the two heavyweights.

Kylian Mbappe had a phenomenal match when he netted a brace to set the Les Bleus on their way, but it was Pavard's stunning effort that provided one of the more iconic moments in the run to lifting the trophy in Moscow.

"The ball bounced up as it came to me. I didn't even think about it. I just tried to get over it and keep it down," Pavard told FIFA.com after the clash in Kazan. “I was trying to hit it in the direction it came from, which is what the strikers always tell me. I didn't think it over, and when it went in I just felt so happy."

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Philippe Coutinho, Nacho Fernandez and Jesse Lingard were the other nominees for the award having netted fantastic goals during the tournament themselves. Nacho scored a volley that was similar to Pavard’s goal. Lingard and Coutinho both struck wonderful curling shots from outside the box, while Lionel Messi’s imperious touch and finish versus Nigeria made the cut as well. Cristiano Ronaldo’s improbable free kick strike that left Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea stranded was also a highlight of the tournament.

Since the end of the World Cup, there has been much debate as to where Benjamin Pavard would play during the upcoming football season. The current Stuttgart representative has seen his stock rise immensely due to his performances in Russia and a host of teams are looking to spend big money on the French fullback.

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