Page 58 - Tehelka Issue 13 - July 15, 2018

Who will win the FIFA

World Cup 2018?

The FIFA World Cup 2018, gentina, crushing them 3-0. This do not look like world beaters. They
which is underway in Russia led to reports of mutiny and dis- were helped by a similar score line
cord in the Argentinean camp, and
in the other match in Group D as
is generating a flurry of criticisms of Messi’s body language the Croats, who made nine changes
excitement, has become and his inability to perform under to their starting 11, still had too much
the most viewed event in pressure. Argentina and Messi fi- for the brave Icelanders. Croatia
nally showed some spirit, just about
thus became the second team after
the history of sports, writes qualifying to the round of 16, with Uruguay to have collected all 9 out
Manik ahuja Messi and Ever Banega shining in of a possible 9 points.
their crucial 2-1 win against a young The Last time the world saw the
and valiant Nigerian team who will emergence of a new champion was
hen I summed up bow out of the competition with in 2010, with Spain’s legendary mid-
in my first write- their heads held high. Though the field quartet of Iniesta, Xavi, Alonso
up for Tehelka ti- addition of Banega seems to have and Busquets literally passing their
tled “FIFA World somewhat solved Argentina’s lack way to World Cup glory. Though
W Cup 2018: Football of creativity in the midfield, they still Inesta and Busquets still remain,
fever grips the globe” that “there
are no clear favourites in this tour-
nament”, little did I know that the
article would prove prophetic. The
FIFA World Cup 2018 that is under-
way in Russia is generating a flurry
of excitement and has become the
most viewed event in the history of
sports, and a big reason for that may
be the excitement about the possi-
bility that new teams could spring
surprises and spoil the chances of
traditional favourites.
The writing on the wall was clear
when Iceland, the smallest nation
ever to play in the World Cup stalled
the advances of Argentina in a 1-1
draw with Lionel Messi missing a
penalty. Iceland is a country of just
3.5 lakh population and most of
their football players are sort of part
time footballers as their full time
avocations are different. Croatia,
whose golden generation which
includes star names such as Modric,
Rakitic and Mandzukic, finally seem
to be performing according to their
potential as they poured further
misery on the 2014 runners up, Ar-

tehelka / 15 july 2018 58 www.tehelka.com

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