France international defender Benjamin Pavard has won the goal of the tournament at the just concluded FIFA World Cup in Russia for his stunning strike against Argentina in their last 16 clash.
The reigning world champions were trailing 2-1 before the VfB Stuttgart right-back produced the equaliser for his team.
France went on to book a quarterfinal spot with a 4-3 victory over the South Americans.
Pavard is the first European to win the award since it started at the 2006 World Cup tournament in Germany.
While speaking after the victory over Argentina at the Kazan Arena in Kazan, Pavard told FIFA.com that: “The ball bounced up as it came to me. I didn’t even think about it. I just tried to get over it and keep it down.”
“I was trying to hit it in the direction it came from, which is what the strikers always tell me. I didn’t think it over, and when it went in I just felt so happy.” He concluded.
His strike received the most votes ahead of Colombia playmaker Juan Quintero’s freekick against Japan in the group stage and Luka Modric’s group stage strike against Argentina.
🚀🇫🇷OFFICIAL: @BenPavard28's stunning goal for @FrenchTeam v Argentina has been chosen as the @Hyundai_Global #WorldCup Goal of the Tournament!https://t.co/U0WEmz7dOM pic.twitter.com/BnsbNWoCKI
— FIFAWorldCup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 25, 2018
