Fallen Heroes

The portents probably presaged it all. Italy, four-time World Cup winners, and Holland, twice runners-up, did not even qualify to play in Russia. And it wasn't too long after kick-off at Luzhniki that other big guns began to be smoked out - Germany, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Braazilllll! All gone, knocked out one after another. Potentates of world football reduced to pretenders. A month ago we ran a story in this space titled "The Calcutta Cup". Only a month ago, Calcutta was readying itself for four weeks of much-awaited football bonanza. The paras got yet another coat of white and blue, and, of course, yellow and green. Paint, jersey, flags, haircuts, earstuds - the football clubs got ready for routine photo-ops. Someone commissioned a football stadium made of sandesh and a pista-covered ground. Rasogollas shed their whites and took on favourite team colours. The weeks stretching ahead seemed full of possibility. Finally, to chants of Messi-Messi, Neymar-Neymar and much ululation, the World Cup began.

A month on, here we are on the day of the finals, and the city doesn't have a favourite to back. France, who won their only crown two decades ago, play Croatia, who've never been to this stage before. They weren't even a nation until recently. And here they are, new claimants to World Cup glory, scrambling to the fore on the rubble-heap of past playmasters, teams and men that arrived and played and were outplayed.

Brazil 

The country with the most number of World Cups in its kitty - five in all. It has routinely yielded highly skilled players in every generation - Pele, Garrincha, Zico, Socrates, Romario, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho... They were permanently awarded the Jules Rimet Trophy after three wins - 1958, 1962 and 1970. But the perennial favourites could not live down their performance from the last Cup - they had been beaten 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals. This year they bowed out in the quarter-finals against a finely tuned Belgian side inspired by Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany. They did top their group comprising Costa Rica, Serbia and Switzerland, following a very well worked 2-0 victory in the round of 16 against Mexico, but that wasn't much help.

Argentina

Yet another time, no hand of god; and no foot of genius either. The sons of Diego Maradona's home soil disappointed once again. After the defeat in the 2014 finals against Germany, this was possibly the last chance for Lionel Messi to win the World Cup and live up to his legacy. But the South American team's defence did nothing to help the cause. Keeper Willy Caballero might not get another chance to don the Albiceleste colours ever again. Coach Jorge Sampaoli, who was very successful with Chile, failed to get the attacking combination right. The exclusion of Paulo Dybala and Sergio Aguero from the line-ups called for scrutiny. Argentina barely made it past the group stage, only to crash out against France. The World Cup for one half of Calcutta ended as Argentina woke up to a grim reality.

Germany

Billed for long as the most organised football machine upfront and in defence, the defending champions never went out of the tournament so early since the unification of Germany in 1990. They have been the most consistent side in the World Cup, but were dealt a shocker by Mexico in their opening match - they lost 3-0. After scraping a win against Sweden during injury time via a Toni Kroos masterclass, all hopes of Die Mannschaft making it to the next round were dashed by South Korea. Youngsters such as Timo Werner and Joshua Kimmich seemed totally out of form and the less said about seniors like Mesut Ozil, Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller, the better.

Spain

The last World Cup had seen the side at its possible worst. This time, the remaining of Spain's golden generation - Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and David Silva - along with an infusion of new stars such as Thiago Alcantara, David De Gea, Isco and Koke - were entrusted with the task of making a success of the 2018 edition. After a superb attacking performance by Isco, Diego Costa and David Silva against Portugal that ended in a tie, Spain drew with Morocco and scraped a 1-0 victory against Iran. In the round of 16, Spain's shambolic campaign came to an end when the side bowed out to hosts Russia in a thrilling penalty shootout after keeping 79 per cent possession and completing 1,115 passes. Despite top-class players in every position, Spain played a very forgettable World Cup.

Portugal

The surprise winners of Euro 2016 could only go so far as the round of 16. Talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo was Portugal's saviour once again as he scored a hat-trick to secure a draw against Spain. But lack of good options upfront to partner CR7 and a below average midfield led to their demise against a pretty rigid and determined Uruguayan side inspired by Edinson Cavani's classy finishes. Overall, an underwhelming performance from Portugal in what could have been the last World Cup tournament for Ronaldo.

Uruguay

The two-time champions had a decent tournament, even had the potential to go all the way but crashed out in the quarters against potential champions, France. Uruguay made a great start by winning all three games in their group. Built on a sturdy defensive unit comprising Martin Caceres, Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez along with an all-action midfield with the untiring Lucas Torreira, Nahitan Nandez and Matais Vecino. With two fiery forwards, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez upfront, Uruguay seemed to be headed for greatness. Cavani, who had started with a brace, suffered an injury in the knockout against Portugal. He missed out on the quarter-finals against France and Suarez could not form a partnership with former Middlesbrough striker Cristhian Stuani. A costly error by keeper Fernando Muslera ensured elimination.

Neymar

The 26-year-old, who is the most expensive footballer on the planet, was seen rolling around and play-acting in all games instead of doing what made him what he is in the first place - dribbling past defenders and scoring goals. He was supposed to be Brazil's main man around whom the team was built but his performance was far from exemplary. He did score two goals in the tournament but he did not play his A game in the quarter-finals against Belgium. Joia (his nickname meaning gem) seemed to be all shine and no substance.

Lionel Messi

If this man does not win the World Cup before he retires, what a pity. People usually speak of him as the GOAT, or the greatest of all time, but football is a team game and even a Messi can do only so much and no more. Apart from the brilliant goal against Nigeria, he was not very efficient. His teammates were no great help, and he was not able to combine with Maximiliano Meza or Enzo Perez. Now after successive defeats in a World Cup final, two Copa America finals and this round of 16 exit, it seems Messi's legend will have to endure without the holy grail.

Thomas Muller

The versatile attacking midfielder/forward was one of the standout performers for Germany in the last two editions. But this World Cup, his presence was not even noticed. He had been in poor form while playing for Bayern Munich and it was expected that he would pull up his socks and deliver for the defending champions but it looked as if Thomas had left his shooting boots back in Bavaria. He is a World Cup veteran and his all-time goal tally in the tournament - 10 - is impressive but this term he was abysmal.

Gerard Pique

He was one of the star defenders in the Fifa World Cup. However, this time Pique was unable to defend well in any of the games Spain played. In the match against Russia, he blocked striker Artem Dzyuba's header with his arm and conceded a penalty. Dzyuba converted it from 12 yards against a helpless De Gea. Spain crashed out on penalties against Russia in the round of 16. Pique's trusted partnership with Ramos also failed and the two were seen struggling against the Moroccan and Portuguese attacks, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick against them in the opening fixture.

David De Gea

The Manchester United stopper, touted as the best goalkeeper in the world, had a torrid time between the posts for a lacklustre Spanish team. He made just one save in the whole tournament. After that poor goal, he let in through his palms against Ronaldo in the match against Portugal, he has been slammed by Spanish fans and media alike. Spain barely made it past the group stage and crashed out in the round of 16, and De Gea's first World Cup was one that he should forget quickly.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The goal machine opened his act in grand fashion with a hat-trick against Spain that ended in a draw. His performance included a spectacular free-kick goal. Ronaldo carried this form in the next game and helped Portugal secure a 1-0 victory over Morocco. But that was it for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. He couldn't hold out against the tough tackling and compact Uruguayan defence and failed to make an impact. Fans can only hope that the 33-year-old genius can make it to the next World Cup.

Luis Suarez

The Barcelona number 9 is remembered for his hand ball and biting episodes from the last two World Cups. But that apart, he is also a clinical finisher. He combined brilliantly with Cavani in all the games, scoring two and assisting another in the process. The spectacular free-kick against Russia is one for the archives and so was the cross to Cavani's header against Portugal. But Suarez failed to provide any inspiration in the game against France. He could not seem to combine with Cristhian Stuani and in the end looked totally lost on steam.

Goal Gol

What the stars struck 

Neymar — 5 matches, 2 goals

Lionel Messi — 4 matches, 1 goal

Thomas Muller — 3 matches, 0 goals

Gerard Pique — 4 matches, 0 goals

P. Coutinho — 5 matches, 2 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo — 4 matches, 4 goals

Luis Suarez — 5 matches, 2 goals

A correction. July 15, 2018
In an earlier version of this report, the name of the stadium in the first para had been misspelt.