France right-back, Benjamin Pavard was voted as scorer of the Russia 2018 World cup goal of the tournament.
FIFA announced on Wednesday through their official website that Pavard’s Stunning strike against Argentina beat the likes of Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentine captain, Lionel Messi and a hosts of other players.
The 22-year-old ran onto a left-wing cross from Lucas Hernandez and sent a right-footed half-volley spinning into the top corner to level eventual champions, France’s last-16 tie with Argentina at 2-2 in the 57th minute.
France went on to win the game 4-3 before beating Croatia in the final on July 15.
Pavard’s effort won a public vote to be named the best of the 169 goals scored in the tournament.
The result emerged from online poll where over three million FIFA.com users cast their votes.
Pavard becomes the first European player to win the Goal of the Tournament accolade since its creation in 2006.
“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,” Pavard told FIFA.com after France’s Round of 16 thriller with Argentina.
“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.”
See full list of contenders to win the Goal of the Tournament title below:
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal (third goal v Spain);
Nacho, Spain (v Portugal);
Philippe Coutinho, Brazil (v Switzerland);
Dries Mertens, Belgium (v Panama);
Juan Quintero, Colombia (v Japan);
Luka Modric, Croatia (v Argentina);
Ahmed Musa, Nigeria (second goal v Iceland);
Lionel Messi, Argentina (v Nigeria);
Toni Kroos, Germany (v Sweden);
Jesse Lingard, England (v Panama);
Ricardo Quaresma, Portugal (v Iran);
Adnan Januzaj, Belgium (v England);
Angel Di Maria, Argentina (v France);
Benjamin Pavard, France (v Argentina);
Nacer Chadli, Belgium (v Japan).
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