MOSCOW — We’ve reached the last day of an extraordinary World Cup, one sure to enter the archives as perhaps the finest in soccer history.
FIFA, the sport’s international governing body, tends to exaggerate anything under its authority, but on Friday, its charming Swiss president, Gianni Infantino, was onto something when he called it a “fantastic, incredible, unbelievable World Cup.”
The well-run tournament has blessed the masses with spellbinding theater, few duds and 20 go-ahead or tying goals after the 80th minute. There was a rousing run by the low-ranked host team, the early dismissal of the reigning champion, the fall of titans, the Viking Clap and an unconventional final four.