MOSCOW, July 18 -- We take a look at some of the highlights, and lowlights of the World Cup in Russia, which concluded on Sunday when France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

Best player

Croatia's Luka Modric was a deserving winner of the Golden Ball, awarded to the World Cup's best player. The Real Madrid playmaker belied his 32 years by running more kilometers than any other midfielder while also providing the finesse that helped unlock rival defenses; his curling 30-yard strike against Argentina being a case in point.

Best goal

Frenchman Benjamin Pavard's goal in the round of 16 just edges out Modric's long-range effort against Argentina for goal of the tournament. The 22-year-old Stuttgart right-back latched onto a Lucas Hernandez cut-back by using the outside of his right boot to send a diagonal 25-yard shot fizzing past Argentina goalkeeper Franco Armani.

Worst team

Making their maiden World Cup finals appearance, Panama conceded 11 goals and scored just two in their losses to Belgium, England and Tunisia. On Tuesday, the team's Colombian coach Hernan Dario Gomez unexpectedly quit, declaring it was "time to move my feet from the place where I have put my heart."

Best match

It is difficult to look past Spain and Portugal's opening Group B match on the second day of the competition in Sochi. Spain twice recovered from a goal down to take the lead via a Nacho Fernandez rocket that pin-balled in off both posts. Cristiano Ronaldo secured a hat-trick - and a point for Portugal - with a last-gasp free-kick that curled into the top corner.

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