“That’s the mentality – don’t just play it, win it.”   -Luis Suarez

Almost all of the matches were intense, but certain ones were worth taking the time to look at. Which ones? Read on, to find out.

Top Ten Matches of the Group Stage 2018

Russia vs Saudi Arabia

The opening match, Russia vs Saudi Arabia resulted in a 5-0 win for Russia. It was a clear runaway. The match took place in Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Portugal vs Spain

The Portugal vs Spain match was an intense face-off between the two countries. The result was a 3-3 draw, with Ronaldo scoring a hat trick and Diego Costa scoring two goals for Spain. This match took place in Fisht Stadium in Sochi.

Argentina vs Iceland

The Argentina vs Iceland match was a major upset, in that Argentina with the famed Lionel Messi tied Iceland 1-1. This match took place at Spartak Stadium in Moscow.

Mexico vs Germany

The Mexico vs Germany match resulted in a 1-0 win for Mexico, surprising after Germany’s win in the last World Cup. This match took place at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Belgium vs Panama

The Belgium vs Panama match was one to watch, as it was the first time Panama ever qualified for the FIFA World Cup. The match resulted in a 3-0 win for Belgium. It was played in Fisht Stadium in Sochi.

France vs Peru

The France vs Peru match resulted in a 1-0 win for France. It took place at the Ekaterinburg Arena.

Uruguay vs Russia

The Uruguay vs Russia match was a 3-0 win for the tiny nation Uruguay, who have a stunning World Cup record with four wins over many years. The match took place in the Cosmos Arena in Samara.

Nigeria vs Argentina

The Nigeria vs Argentina match was a 2-1 win for Argentina. Lionel Messi scored the first goal of the game, while Nigeria scored next off a penalty by Victor Moses, and then late in the game Argentina’s Marcos Rojo scored a fantastic game winner that brought Argentina to the next round. The match took place in Krestovsky Stadium in St. Petersburg.

Mexico vs Sweden

The Mexico vs Sweden match resulted in a 3-0 win for Sweden. The match took place at the Ekaterinburg Arena.

England vs Belgium

The England vs Belgium match was a 1-0 win for Belgium. The match took place in Kaliningrad Stadium.

Top Five Round of 16 Matches

France vs Argentina

The France vs Argentina match resulted in a 4-3 win for France, knocking Argentina out of the tournament. The match took place in Kazan Arena.

Spain vs Russia

The Spain vs Russia match resulted in a 3-4 win for Russia, knocking Spain out of the tournament. The match took place in Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Brazil vs Mexico

The Brazil vs Mexico match was engaging and exciting. It resulted in a 2-0 win for Brazil, knocking Mexico out of the tournament. The match took place in Cosmos Arena in Samara.

Belgium vs Japan

The Belgium vs Japan match resulted in a 3-2 win for Belgium, knocking Japan out of the tournament. The match took place in Rostov Arena.

Colombia vs England

The Colombia vs England match resulted in a 4-3 win for England, after a penalty shoot-out. This knocked Colombia out of the tournament.

Top Two Quarterfinals Matches

France vs Uruguay

The France vs Uruguay match was intense. Even though Uruguay has been a dominating country since the first World Cup, they lost to France 2-0. The match took place in Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

Brazil vs Belgium

The Brazil vs Belgium match was an upset. Brazil, with Neymar and other stars, was predicted to win. Belgium, however, was the team that made the cut, winning 2-1 and continuing to the semifinals, while Brazil was knocked out. The match took place in Kazan Arena.

Semifinals Matches

France vs Belgium

The France vs Belgium match was intense, but Belgium went down 1-0, and France continued to the final. The match took place in St. Petersburg Stadium.

Croatia vs England

The Croatia vs England match resulted in a 2-1 win for Croatia after extra time, so Croatia continued to the final. The match took place in Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Third Place Playoff

Belgium vs England

The third place playoff between Belgium and England resulted in a 2-0 win for Belgium. The match took place in St. Petersburg Stadium.

The Final

France vs Croatia

The final match of the 2018 World Cup resulted in a 4-2 win for France, making them the World Cup Champions. The match took place in Luzhniki Stadium.

These were the most notable, exciting, and intense matches of the entire 2018 tournament. Who knows what 2022 will hold?