Pavard's stunner against Argentina named the best goal of Russia 2018

Pavard enjoyed a stunning tournament, particularly with many expecting him to play second fiddle to Djibril Sidibe going into the World Cup.

That didn't prove to be the case as Pavard wound up to be one of the first names on Didier Deschamps' teamsheet and repaid the France boss' faith and then some.

After 169 goals spread across 64 games, fans from all over the world picked out their favourite goal of the tounament, with Pavard emerging as the clear winner.

There is no doubt that the cleanness of the strike and the flawless technique on display were key factors in helping the Stuttgart defender's strike to victory.

 

July 25, 2018

“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 the game. "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.”

Given the relative lack of goals in his game, the win is bound to feel special to Pavard, who was playing in the German second division a little over a season ago.

Whatsmore, the level of the opposition, the stage the goal was scored on and the point in the game at which it was scored all seved to heighten the importance of the strike.

Other goals worthy of mention include Juan Quintero's cheeky free-kick against Japan and Luka Modric's piledriver against Argentina.

The Goal of the Tournament gong was first awarded at a World Cup in 2006, with Maxi Rodriguez (2006), Diego Forlan (2010) and Jamez Rodriguez (2014) the other players to have claimed the accolade, making Pavard the first European to do so.