World Cup 2018: The storylines Russia's tournament will be remembered for

In years and decades, these are the themes and moments that will stick in the memory

Moscow

Monday 16 July 2018 10:34 BST

France lift the World Cup trophy after beating Croatia in final

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After a month of unpredictability came a champion that perhaps we could have predicted .

After four weeks of World Cup action that distracted us from the ills of the world and put a smile on people's face , it is all over.

And as the wonder of the present gets confined to history, it is time to wonder which storylines and moments will go down in history as defining this World Cup.

Miguel Delaney runs down those he expects to stand the test of time....

The World Cup of surprises ending with the predictability of a French win

Emmanuel Macron celebrates France's win — Emmanuel Macron celebrates France's win (EPA)

Croatia becoming the smallest country since Uruguay 1930 to qualify for a final

Modric led Croatia all the way to the final — Modric led Croatia all the way to the final (REUTERS)

It didn’t come home… but it came closer than for a long time, and felt better

England nearly did the unthinkable — England nearly did the unthinkable (Getty)

Germany amazingly going out in the first round… and becoming the third successive defending champions to do so

Germany crashed out in the group stages — Germany crashed out in the group stages (AP)

Kylian Mbappe taking the stage by taking off

The Frenchman came of age in Russia — The Frenchman came of age in Russia (REUTERS)

Real Madrid scuttling Spain by appointing their manager

Lopetegui's exit was seismic for Spain — Lopetegui's exit was seismic for Spain (Getty Images)

Neymar theatrically damaging his reputation rather than embellishing it

Neymar failed to deliver with Brazil — Neymar failed to deliver with Brazil (AFP/Getty)

Argentina’s hugely entertaining chaos

Argentina tumbled out — Argentina tumbled out (AFP/Getty)

After so much debate, Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo going out on the same last-16 day

Messi could do nothing to stop Argentina's fall (AFP/Getty ) — Messi could do nothing to stop Argentina's fall (AFP/Getty ) (AFP/Getty)

The entertainment of Belgium

Belgium dazzled — Belgium dazzled (AP)

England winning a penalty shoot-out, after Colombia lost their temper

England defeated Colombia in the last-16 — England defeated Colombia in the last-16 (AFP/Getty Images)

Russia’s running, and their surprisingly good run

Russia suprised everyone — Russia suprised everyone (Reuters)

Messi’s initial struggles, before that goal

Messi struggled before a moment of magic — Messi struggled before a moment of magic (AFP/Getty Images)

The qualified success of VAR

VAR loomed over the whole World Cup — VAR loomed over the whole World Cup (REUTERS)

The reductio ad absurdum of Spain’s passing against Russia

Spain's tactics came under fire (AFP/Getty ) — Spain's tactics came under fire (AFP/Getty ) (AFP/Getty)

Toni Kroos with the most meaningless match-winning wonder goal ever

Kroos' match-winner was ultimately for nothing — Kroos' match-winner was ultimately for nothing (Getty)

Ronaldo’s hat-trick against Spain

Ronaldo's free-kick was one to remember — Ronaldo's free-kick was one to remember (AFP/Getty Images)

The politically-edged celebrations of Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri

The Swiss revelled in victory over Serbia — The Swiss revelled in victory over Serbia (EPA)

Mexico blazing through briefly

Mexico were the surprises of the group stage — Mexico were the surprises of the group stage (AFP/Getty)

Mohamed Salah’s problems with Egypt

Salah couldn't carry Egypt — Salah couldn't carry Egypt (Reuters)

Korea’s onside goal against Germany

Korea stunned Germany (Getty Images) — Korea stunned Germany (Getty Images) (Getty Images,)

Japan knocking Senegal out on yellow cards

Senegal went out on yellow cards — Senegal went out on yellow cards (AFP/Getty)

Iceland and “the hand of cod”

Iceland couldn't replicate the success of two years ago — Iceland couldn't replicate the success of two years ago (REUTERS)

Belgium and England playing for second place… and then later on third place

Belgium and England met twice — Belgium and England met twice (Getty Images)

Peru being so successful in winning admirers but not games

Peru won hearts but not matches — Peru won hearts but not matches (Getty Images)

Teamsheet-gate

Southgate's tactics caused a stir — Southgate's tactics caused a stir (REUTERS)

Jose Gimenez’s tears

Uruguay fell at the last eight stage — Uruguay fell at the last eight stage (Getty)

Saudi Arabia being atrocious

Saudi Arabia went out in the group stages — Saudi Arabia went out in the group stages (AFP/Getty Images)

Panama being worse

Panama got their goal but not much else — Panama got their goal but not much else (Getty Images)

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