By: Bryce L. Jackson

The 2018 FIFA World Cup has come and gone and once again was a spectacular event. This tournament had a few unique quirks this year: The implementation of Video Assistant Review which was used over 15 times across all 64 matches, the rise of young talent in world football, Set Pieces, and eliminating favorites with reckless abandon. Amongst all of that, some matches stood out more than others, Here's a quick list of my favorite matches of this tournament.

#5 Russia vs Croatia - Quarterfinals

The hosts rolled through the group stage and won a shocker against powerhouse Spain in the Round of 16 and looked to continue their magical run against Croatia. The magic carried into this game early as tournament star Denis Cheryshev scored in the 31st minute and sent the home supporters in Sochi into sheer pandemonium. The party didn't last long, as Andrej Kramaric answered in the 39th to bring Croatia even. That score would last through the remained of regular time and sent the game into Extra Time. Right before the end of the 1st half of Extra Time, Domagoj Vida scored a header off acorner kick as the ball cleared two careening opposing players and found him. With time winding down in the 2nd half of extra time, a free kick into the box found Russian defender Mario Fernandes for a header in the 115th that would send the match into penalties. Croatia would end up winning the penalty shoot out 4-3. 

#4 Germany vs Mexico - Group F Match 1

The then-World Champions played a Mexico team that were not highly favored on paper versus the star studded German side. However, it was obvious from the start that things were not going to go as planned. The Mexican pace and counter-attack were too much for the Germans to handle. They had opportunities as Toni Kroos and Julian Brandt both hit the woodwork but El Tri were victorious at the end of the match and set the Germans on a path that would eventually see them exit the tournament after the Group Stage. 

#3 Argentina vs France - Round of 16

It was Messi against the young stars of France and as usual, Messi was expected to carry the Argentines to glory. Everything looked bleak for the White and Sky Blue as Antoine Griezmann converted an early penalty. Argentina finally found a response before the break with a 41st minute goal from Angel di Maria before halftime. Before fans could settle in for the 2nd half, Gabriel Mercado scored for Argentina to put them ahead 2-1. The Frenchmen didn't take long to respond and let out a flurry of goals, one by Benjamin Pavard, then 2 from rising star Kylian Mbappe to put them up 4-2. Sergio Aguero, subbed in after France's 3rd goal, scored in stoppage time to make it 4-3 but Argentina couldn't find an equalizer in the closing minutes.  Messi left Russia, likely never to play in another World Cup game while France would win it all.

#2 Spain vs Portugal - Group B Match 1

Everyone that saw the reveal of the matchups, circled this date. Spain vs Portugal; The Iberian War. A battle between two bordering nations; a star player vs a team full of them. With eyes on one of the greatest names in soccer in Cristiano Ronaldo in his 3rd (and maybe final) World Cup, he was expected to carry his team to a World Cup title with the road going through their biggest rival. The match played out exactly how it was hyped up as Ronaldo scored a hat trick, the 3rd goal being an absolute gem of a free kick. While Spain was able to find the back of the net from efforts by Diego Costa (2 goals) and Nacho for La Roja to draw with their rivals 3-3.

#1 Belgium vs Japan - Round of 16

On paper, this match looked like a steamroll as Belgium looked dominant throughout the Group Stage while Japan looked shaky and needed to go to Fair Play (# of yellow cards received) rules after tying Senegal in points, goal differential, and head to head standings after they both lost on the final day of the Group Stage. Japan managed to stifle Belgium throughout the first half despite the efforts of their play in the final 3rd and dominating possession and headed into Half Time in a stalemate. Japan used the break to the fullest and came out revitalized. First they scored  goal by Genki Haraguchi and then followed up just 4 minutes later by Takashi Inui. Belgium needed to burn 2 substitutions and found the answers they were looking for from Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini 5 minutes apart to bring the score to 2-2. When it was about to look like we were going to need Extra Time to decide the match, a goal by Nacer Chaldi in stoppage time would seal the comeback 3-2 win for Belgium.