SPORTS ROUNDUP – 21st July 2018

FOOTBALL
FIFA 2018
France Crowned FIFA 2018 Champions:

With FIFA As the curtains have come down on the football World Cup, the best in the business took to the field as France trounced the dark horse of FIFA – Croatia – in the finale to lift the World Cup, 20 years after its last triumph, clinching their second title as they beat Croatia 4-2 in a thrilling contest in Moscow. With this victory, France’s Deschamps, who captained the winning team 20 years ago, became only the third man in the world to win as a player and a coach!
Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic became the first player to score an own goal in a World Cup final during the 18th minute, giving his opponents the lead, heading a ball floating in by France’s Antoine Griezmann, which came off a free kick. Croatia’s attack was brilliant during the first half and both teams were locked 1-1. Croatia were indeed left bruised when Griezmann took a penalty shot just seven minutes before close of half-time to make it 2-1. During the second half, Paul Pogba added the third goal for France in the 59th minute while six minutes later Kylian Mbappe smashed the winning goal. Mandzukiz struck for Croatia during the 69th minute…but luck favoured France on the given day.
A day earlier, Belgium beat England 2-0 at St. Petersburg to clinch the third place.
England’s Harry Kane won the ‘Golden Boot’ for being the competition’s highest scorer with six goals. Kylian Mbappe won the ‘Young Player of the Tournament’ award while Luka Modric of Croatia took home the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award. Thibaut Courtois won the ‘Golden Glove’ for being the best goalkeeper. Finally Croatia collected their runners up medals while Hugo Lloris and France lifted the World Cup Trophy.

 

CRICKET
England Clinch ODI Series:

A magnificent effort with the ball by Adil Rashid (3-49) and David Willey (3-40) coupled with Joe Root’s unbeaten century and skipper Eoin Morgan’s 88 not out helped England win the series 2-1 and the third ODI against visitors India by 8 wickets at Headingley, Leeds. Batting first, India managed 256-8 in 50 overs. Captain Virat Kohli top scored with 71 while MS Dhoni contributed 42. Shardul Thakur’s 22 off just 13 deliveries during the end of the contest helped India go past the two hundred and fifty run mark. In reply, the Englishmen reached their target in just 44.3 overs as the top order finished it off in style reaching 260-2. Shardul Thakur picked 1-51 in his 10 over spell. Adil Rashid won Man of the Match while Joe Root got the Man of the Series.

 

ATHLETICS
Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold:

India’s Javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal at the Sotteville Athletics Meet in France, covering a distance of 85.17m.

 

TENNIS
Novak Djokovic Clinches Wimbledon Title:

Novak Djokovic of Serbia won his 13th Grand Slam and fourth Wimbledon title defeating Kevin Anderson 6-2, 6-2, 7-6.

Angelique Kerber Beats Serena Williams:

Germany’s Angelique Kerber beat 7-Time Champion Serena Williams, to win her first Wimbledon title and spoil the American’s dream comeback as a mum. 30-year old Kerber ranked 11th seed, beat the 23-time Grand Slam Champion in straight sets – 6-3; 6-3 – to add this title to her 2016 Australian Open and US Open wins.

Bryan-Sock Win Doubles Title:

Mike Bryan won his 17th Grand Slam Men’s Doubles title along with Jack Sock as they beat opponents Raven Klaasen of South Africa and Michael Venus of New Zealand 6-3, 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 during their men’s doubles final.

 

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