Pavard’s shot simply majestic! FIFA rates it best World Cup goal

Three million football fans all over the world have rated Benjamin Pavard’s goal as the best of the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Published

5 years ago

July 25, 2018

Three million football fans all over the world have rated Benjamin Pavard’s goal as the best of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The French defender struck during his country’s 4-3 victory against Argentina in the second round of the just-concluded Russia tournament.

France went on to lift the trophy, after beating Uruguay in the last eight, Belgium in the semifinals and Croatia in the final.

Super Eagles’ Ahmed Musa’s second goal against Iceland was also included in the 18 goals shortlist, from which over 3 million online users voted for Pavard’s.

The defender had told FIFA.com after the game: “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.

“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.”

Pavard’s stunner came first above second-placed Juan Quintero’s delightful low free-kick for Colombia against Japan and third-placed Luka Modric’s long-range stunner for Croatia against Argentina.

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FIFA honours Osimhen after amazing season with Napoli

Published

10 hours ago

June 7, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Following his record-breaking season with Napoli where he scored 26 goals to win the Serie A top scorer award, Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen has been honoured by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

The world football governing body Tuesday presented Osimhen with a customized jersey and soccer ball for his “superb displays for Napoli in the 2022/23 season,” which led to Napoli winning the Scudetto after a 33-year wait, according to an official of FIFA, Gelson Fernandes, in a “special message” to the 24-year-old Nigerian forward.

“Victor Osimhen, you represent at the moment what football can do,” Fernandes wrote in an Instagram post.

“From Lagos to Napoli where people love you, you have suffered, but your love for football and determination have guided you.

“Keep going, keep pushing. Africa needs examples and millions are watching and dreaming.”

Osimhen became the first African to win the highest goal scorer award, while also becoming the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic to win both the Capocannoniere and the Scudetto in the same season, a record which has stood for 14 long years.

His horde of honours was also enhanced with a National Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic bestowed on him by former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.

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Tunisian tennis star, Ons Jabeur zooms into French Open quarter-finals

Published

1 day ago

June 6, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Tunisian tennis sensation, Ons Jabeur took a step further in her quest to win the 2023 French Open Grand Slam when she defeated World number 36, Bernarda Pera 6-3, 6-1 to zoom into the quarter-finals.

Jabeur, ranked number 7 in the world, and who only won her first WTA 1000 title at the Madrid Open last year, has since then been facing a downward slide coupled with injuries which saw her either missing out on some tournaments or crashing out in early rounds.

However, the 28-year-old who became the first ever African woman to reach a Grand Slam final last year, was at her best when she defeated Pera to move to the next stage on Monday night.

Though Jabeur was not at her fluent best and was herself broken three times in the first set and at the start of the second set, she still raced through the final six games, sealing victory in 63 minutes.

“I never thought about something was missing or I didn’t reach all four of them,” the African said after the match.

“Maybe it’s a good thing. It came and hopefully, we’ll set it to all semi-finals and then all finals,” she added.