France’s Pavard Wins World Cup Goal Of The Tournament

France right-back Benjamin Pavard has won the 2018 World Cup goal of the tournament award for his stunning strike against Argentina, FIFA announced on … Continue reading France’s Pavard Wins World Cup Goal Of The Tournament

By Ignatius Igwe

Updated July 25, 2018

FILES) In this file photo taken on July 15, 2018 France’s defender Benjamin Pavard crosses the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match between France and Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. French Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard signed a contract to join Bayern Munich in 2019 during the World Cup, but the Bavarian club would like to attract the brand new world champion this summer, says German regional public broadcaster SWR on July 19, 2018. Jewel SAMAD / AFP

France’s defender Benjamin Pavard crosses the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup final football match between France and Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Jewel SAMAD / AFP

France right-back Benjamin Pavard has won the 2018 World Cup goal of the tournament award for his stunning strike against Argentina, FIFA announced on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Stuttgart defender ran onto a left-wing cross from Lucas Hernandez and sent a right-footed half-volley spinning into the top corner to level eventual champions France’s last-16 tie with Argentina at 2-2 in the 57th minute.

France went on to win the game 4-3 before beating Croatia in the final on July 15.

Pavard’s effort won a public vote to be named the best of the 169 goals scored in the tournament, seeing off competition from Colombian midfielder Juan Quintero’s free-kick against Japan and Luka Modric’s goal in Croatia’s group-stage thumping of Argentina.

AFP