Every FIFA World Cup Ranked From Worst To Best
8. Russia 2018
A thoroughly entertaining World Cup from start to finish, Russia 2018 defied low expectations to provide one of the best tournaments in recent times with goals galore, thrilling games and a few notable upsets.
The success of the hosts played a huge part with Russia reaching the last-16 where they upset the odds to beat Spain and reach the quarter-finals.
Spain may not have lived up to their tag as contenders but a 3-3 draw with a Portugal side led by hat-trick hero Cristiano Ronaldo in the group stages was a memorable footnote.
That was as good as it got for Portugal and likewise Brazil, with both exiting early to little fanfare.
Germany’s disastrous early exit after defeat to South Korea was the big shock, serving as a neat contrast to the fortunes of a well-organised England, who reached the semi-finals under Gareth Southgate.
Alas, Croatia crushed English dreams, having dispatched hosts Russia in the previous round.
That set up a final with France, the tournament’s outstanding team without ever having to be outstanding.
A 4-3 win over Argentina in the second round was one of the games of the tournament while Les Bleus - led by the goals and pace of Kylian Mbappe – fought hard to beat very good Uruguay and Belgium en route to the final.
That set up a thoroughly entertaining showdown with France triumphing 4-2 against a Croatia side that ran out of steam after going to extra time in each of the previous three rounds.