What we learned from WC

THE EDITOR: Host Russia proved that low rankings don’t mean anything at World Cups when coming up against big-name teams and that in penalty shootouts anything is possible.

The Saudis will have to wait a little longer to duplicate their 1994 Cinderella run.

Neymar could possibly have a successful acting career when his football days are over.

Messi and Ronaldo have proven once again that World Cups are their Achilles’ heel.

After a relatively early exit in the round of 16 against the unheralded Russian hosts, it is quite obvious that Spain’s days of dominance of the game are basically over.

Despite their best World Cup showing since 1990, Harry Kane’s Golden Boot win will be of little consolation to the English after they finished fourth.

After conceding 11 goals in its three group games and finishing bottom in its group with no points, Panama would want to forget its debut World Cup.

Mexico proved that beating the defending champion in your opening game doesn’t necessarily mean you can become world champion yourself.

The Croatians demonstrated that no matter how well you play, too much extra time will eventually take its toll on you.

The French showed that despite certain opinions to the contrary, their winning the World Cup is proof that immigration works and that it does benefit a country.

JOHN SALAZAR via e-mail

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"What we learned from WC"

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