Best goal, best player, best fans – BBC reporters’ World Cup awards

July 20, 2026 No Comments

Best goal, best player, best fans – BBC reporters’ World Cup awardsImage source, Getty ImagesPublished30 minutes agoAfter delivering unforgettable drama and surprises across 104 matches over almost six weeks, the World Cup is over.History has been scripted, records broken and heroes old and new made their mark at football’s most coveted tournament.Choose from our chief football writer Phil McNulty’s selections for best goal and best save – and then read our reporters’ reflections from the US, Canada and Mexico.Goal of the tournament Figure caption, Six of the best World Cup goalsPhil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writerThe deadlock was broken by Lionel Messi for Argentina against Cape Verde with a triumph of technique as he showed exquisite touch to take a difficult pass on the run before, with little room to work with, he guided it into the top corner with his second touch.In the same game, Sidny Cabral’s extra-time equaliser was a wonderful moment. From the angle just inside the area, his right-foot curling drive into the top corner gave Emiliano Martinez no chance.In the group stages, Kerim Alajbegovic’s goal for Bosnia-Herzegovina against Qatar was a superb solo effort – a weaving run before a rising right-foot shot of high class.What looked like a casual swing of Erling Haaland’s right boot was in fact a perfectly placed finish with astonishing power to crown a match-winning performance for Norway against Brazil in the last 16.A tight quarter-final between Argentina and Switzerland was broken open by a moment of genius from Julian Alvarez. The vastly under-rated attacker provided with a swerving right-footed drive from long range into the top corner in extra time.Antonio Nusa’s opener for Norway against Ivory Coast was perfection. A little shimmy in the area to feint away from a defender, then a precise curling finish into the top corner.What information do we collect from this quiz?

Save of the tournament

Six of the best saves from the World Cup

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer

Johny Placide made a superb double save for Haiti against Morocco. It came first with his legs then he showed swift reactions to save one-handed to his left.

At the Azteca Stadium, Jordan Pickford had an outstanding game in England’s memorable win over Mexico. His early save, diving low to his left to keep out Raul Jimenez’s header, was a crucial moment of brilliance.

Orjan Nyland produced a remarkable stop for Norway against Brazil from his own defender Kristoffer Ajer, who inadvertently directed the ball goalwards. Nyland scrambled backwards showing remarkably anticipation and agility to leap and turn the ball against the post.

Aymen Dahmen showed stunning reactions for Tunisia against Japan from Takehiro Tomiyasu’s close-range effort, somehow keeping the ball out as it did everything but cross the line.

There was a brilliant diving save by Patrick Beach for Australia in their group game with Turkey, diving away to his right to touch Abdulkerim Bardakci’s rising 30-yard shot on to the post.

Iran’s Alireza Beiranvand produced a remarkable save from Maxim de Cuyper of Belgium. Beiranvand could not reach Kevin de Bruyne’s shot but somehow recovered his position and reacted to keep out a shot from inside the six-yard box.

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Player of the tournament

‘Magnificent’ – Messi scores hat-trick to equal Klose scoring record

Spain captain Rodri won the official World Cup Golden Ball trophy as the tournament’s best player.

Messi won the Silver Ball as the second-best player, with Mbappe named Bronze Ball winner.

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer

Surprise, surprise. Lionel Messi. Not simply a swansong for a 39-year-old closing down his career, but the enduring inspiration of a nation and a football team. Look at how he controlled the game and pulled the strings when Argentina chased England down in a dramatic semi-final.

John Bennett, BBC World Service

I was in a Kylian Mbappe news conference early in the World Cup and I remember thinking that I’d never seen him looking more relaxed, more confident and more determined to make this his tournament. That demeanour off the pitch was reflected in some brilliant performances on the pitch – great goals, leadership, flair, composure under pressure and more work off the ball than I’ve ever seen from him.

Alex Howell, BBC Sport’s England reporter

The player of the tournament has been Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder dragged England through by sheer force of will in some games and took his game to another level during the tournament.

Liz Conway, BBC Sport journalist

Lionel Messi’s leadership, football intelligence and ability to decide the biggest matches has proven vital for Argentina. He was the driving force behind their run to the final and that makes him the competition’s standout player.

Gary Rose, BBC Sport journalist

With eight goals and four assists in eight games at this World Cup, it has to be Lionel Messi. England did their best to keep him quiet in the semi-final and succeeded in the first half, but Messi often finds a way and his two assists proved decisive.

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist

Michael Olise. Marked out of the semi-final against Spain but the former Crystal Palace forward, who started his journey aged six at Hayes & Yeading United, has left his mark on this tournament with his seven assists. At just 24, Olise has another World Cup or two up his sleeve. I’m still playing replays in my mind of that spectacular scissor-kick against Sweden in the last 32. The whole press box erupted thinking it was going in, only for the ball to crash against a post.

Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live

Rodri. He has proved to be irreplaceable for his country as he is for Manchester City. Exceptional and so effective at the heart of the best team in the tournament

John Murray, BBC Radio 5 Live

Easy choice but it has to be Lionel Messi. Doing this at the age of 39 is almost defying the law of physics. He is cementing his place as the greatest.

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Breakout star of the tournament

Switzerland’s Manzambi scores superb double against Bosnia

Spain’s 19-year-old centre-back Pau Cubarsi received the Fifa award for the tournament’s best young player after playing every minute of their World Cup campaign.

He was a key figure in the Spain defence that conceded only one goal all tournament.

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer

I am going for Spain’s 19-year-old central defender Pau Cubarsi. The Barcelona youngster was magnificent against France in the semi-final and is a star of the future.

John Bennett, BBC World Service

Lille fans, regular viewers of Ligue 1 and recruitment teams from the top clubs knew all about his potential but Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi burst on to the world stage in style with an exceptional performance in their opening match against Brazil. At the New York New Jersey Stadium that day, I found myself not watching the ball but watching his incredibly intelligent movement around the pitch, which reminded me of a cross between Patrick Vieira and Luka Modric.

Alex Howell, BBC Sport’s England reporter

It sounds strange to call Erling Haaland a breakout star but it is hard to explain the impact he has had here in the US. He has become a household name and even more of a global superstar.

Liz Conway, BBC Sport journalist

Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha. He began his unforgettable World Cup with seven sensational saves in a 0–0 draw against Spain in their debut World Cup match and ended it with eight more remarkable saves as Cape Verde pushed Lionel Messi and Argentina to the brink of elimination. Vozinha’s heroics sparked a global following, with his Instagram audience skyrocketing from about 50,000 before the tournament to more than 29 million.

Gary Rose, BBC Sport journalist

It seemed like the USA would go far at this tournament, particularly with the wave of support behind them, but it wasn’t to be as they exited at the last-16 stage. Despite that, many of their players did their own reputations no harm and one of those was full-back Alex Freeman, with his performances leading to USA boss Mauricio Pochettino saying he could be one of the best in the world in his position.

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist

Step forward Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi. Some 20-year-olds might be overwhelmed playing on the biggest stage of all. Not Manzambi. This huge talent plays with a smile on his face and is a natural entertainer who departed the tournament with three goals in four games.

Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live

Johan Manzambi. I highlighted him before the World Cup and, although he missed the end for Switzerland through injury, the fact he is moving to the Premier League with Aston Villa for a fee in the region of £50m underlines his quality.

John Murray, BBC Radio 5 Live

The 17-year-old Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora, who ended up in their starting line-up. Had the air of Luka Modric and seems destined for the top of the game.

Most memorable moment

Paraguay stun Germany on penalties to reach last 16

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer

The Azteca for Mexico v England. Might just be the best atmosphere I have ever experienced in seven World Cups. It was an assault on the senses and the singing of the Mexican national anthem was a spine-tingling experience. A simply unforgettable night.

John Bennett, BBC World Service

Speaking to the Paraguay fans outside the Boston stadium, moments after one of the most dramatic penalty shootouts I have ever seen, as the South American side stunned Germany. One father and son, draped in Paraguay flags, were in tears as they told me that this was the best day of their lives, and it summed up what special moments at a World Cup can mean to people. I will never forget the emotion of those fans streaming out of the ground in disbelief.

Alex Howell, BBC Sport’s England reporter

Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick in his first game at this World Cup showed that he was not done and was going to try to push Argentina to another tournament win.

Liz Conway, BBC Sport journalist

Sidny Cabral’s stunning 103rd-minute equaliser against Argentina. His strike from the edge of the penalty area that flew beyond Emiliano Martinez sent the stadium into disbelief and brought Cape Verde level at 2-2 in extra time. Although Argentina eventually edged the tie 3-2, Cabral’s wonder goal became an instant classic and will always be talked about.

Gary Rose, BBC Sport journalist

For me it was Argentina being pushed by Cape Verde all the way before the debutants were knocked out. They showed the sort of guts and desire we want to see from these teams that gained the opportunity to play at a World Cup because of the expanded format.

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist

On my travels around the US, where I have covered 13 games in six different cities, I have spoken to dozens of fans. I was offered a beer and sausages cooked from the back of a pick-up truck before France-Paraguay in Philadelphia, and been stopped for selfies. “You’re from the BBC? I have to have a selfie with the guy from the BBC.” I have lost count of the number of times I have stopped a fan and introduced myself, only to be asked: “Is it coming home?”

Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live

For the moment I actually witnessed, it would have to be Sidny Cabral and his sensational equaliser against Argentina as Cape Verde, the smallest nation to ever reach the knockout stages, stunned the defending champions for a second time to make it 2-2 in Miami.

John Murray, BBC Radio 5 Live

Cabral’s astonishing goal against Argentina. It was as funny as it was breathtaking.

Biggest disappointment

Haaland sends Norway into the quarter-finals as Brazil crash out

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer

Brazil. Slow. Uninspired. Un-Brazilian. Trudged through the World Cup under Carlo Ancelotti and every weakness was exposed when they deservedly went out to Norway in the last 16.

John Bennett, BBC World Service

Senegal came to the tournament with the most talented squad in their history but various problems off the pitch arguably meant the players were not given the right environment to thrive. When they were 2-0 up in the last-32 match against Belgium, it looked as though they would salvage something from this World Cup, but tactical errors and poor game management cost them. It was a massive wasted opportunity for a gifted generation of Senegal players.

Alex Howell, BBC Sport’s England reporter

Scotland missing out on third-placed qualification was a disappointment and having to wait a couple of days before it was verified must have been painful.

Liz Conway, BBC Sport journalist

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. As one of the pre-tournament favourites, they fell short after a 1–0 last-16 defeat by Spain. Ronaldo managed three goals in five matches and, despite high expectations, Portugal never reached the level many expected, ending another World Cup campaign in frustrating fashion.

Gary Rose, BBC Sport journalist

The USA. They started this tournament so well and created a real wave of optimism and hope among the home fans, but all that was undone by the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun and then their limp exit at the hands of Belgium.

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist

The final being held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Yes, it is huge but it is not fan-friendly and it is an expensive pain to get to and get away from. Philadelphia would have been my pick. A stadium on the outskirts of the city in a sports complex. The MetLife is a giant bowl in the middle of nowhere.

Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live

France in their semi-final defeat by Spain. I tipped Spain to beat France but still did not expect such a flat performance and their star-studded frontline to flounder as badly as they did.

John Murray, BBC Radio 5 Live

I really thought Brazil under Ancelotti would go further. And clearly so did they.

Best supporters

Mexico set up potential England last-16 tie after win over 10-man Ecuador

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer

Mexico. The sheer passion and love for their team and football was incredible. Also such friendly, welcoming fans and people. Incredibly warm and gracious in defeat.

We were in a restaurant in Mexico City the night before they played England, and an MC went around each table asking which country people were from. When we told them we were from England, it was revealed to the rest of the diners, who burst into a spontaneous outbreak of applause.

John Bennett, BBC World Service

A word for the Curacao fans I was with inside the Philadelphia Stadium – because who knew that supporters from a nation of just 150,000 could make that much noise? Was there anyone left on the island? But the Brazil fans win it for me because they do not just take over stadiums; they take over cities; Philadelphia felt like Rio or Sao Paulo for 48 hours when they were in town.

Alex Howell, BBC Sport’s England reporter

The Colombia fans took over Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City when they played Ghana, and made it feel like a party.

Liz Conway, BBC Sport journalist

Norway’s fans were brilliant, with their legendary Viking row taking over the World Cup. The chant became a global sensation and created an unforgettable atmosphere in every stadium they entered. The most iconic moments came after matches when the players joined the fans to lead the Viking row from the pitch, uniting thousands of supporters in celebration.

Gary Rose, BBC Sport journalist

I was based mainly in Los Angeles for the World Cup. There’s a large Mexican population there and from what I experienced, they were undoubtedly the best supporters. They were loud – very loud – for every Mexico game and when they won fireworks could be heard around LA while their distinct green jerseys were seen everywhere.

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist

Norway’s Viking row was fun to watch, with fans wearing red shirts sitting in lines and rowing in rhythm. The Norway supporters also provided an amusing moment during the quarter-final with England. They sang “You’re going home, you’re going home, England’s going home” as they led 1-0 in Miami. Moments later Jude Bellingham equalised.

John Murray, BBC Radio 5 Live

The Mexicans. I was fortunate to experience two matches in the Azteca. That is where the heart of this World Cup was and the support for their team was a joy to behold.

Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live

Argentina. On two occasions in Miami and Kansas City, I have been in stadiums where their support has been in excess of 60,000 fans. The sheer scale of numbers is matched by their wild passion. They sing constantly and have generated the best atmospheres I have encountered in the US.

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