10 Things We Learned From World Cup 2018

9. Never Underestimate The Underdogs

France World Cup 2018 Final
Nike Football

The fact that France won isn't such a surprise given they were one of the big four favourites, but there were plenty of surprises at this World Cup, proving that no team should ever be underestimated. Many of the lower-ranked sides gave great accounts of themselves, taking on much bigger teams and proving they were no pushovers.

Mexico topping a difficult group, Japan pushing Belgium all the way in the round of 16, Sweden getting to the quarter finals, and Russia being just one penalty away from the semis were just a few examples of the unexpected events fans enjoyed over the last month. England, who were widely tipped to go out in the first knockout round, also stunned observers around the globe with a series of great performances and a fourth place finish.

Arguably the most impressive upset of all was Croatia making it all the way to the final. Experts had tipped Luka Modric and co as dark horses before the tournament began, but few expected the side coached by Zlatko Dalić would make it so far. This tournament was perfect proof that the underdogs should never be counted out.

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Mike Pedley hasn't written a bio just yet, but if they had... it would appear here.