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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Guardian sport

World Cup 2026 awards: the Guardian team give their final tournament verdicts

EA SPORTS Sidny Lopes Cabral Erling Haaland World Cup Lionel Messi Azteca Argentina Cape Verde England Kylian Mbappé
Composite image of Cape Verde's keeper Vozinha after his side’s draw against Spain; England and Mexico fans outside the Azteca; Spain’s captain, Rodri, with the World Cup trophy; a Scotland fan plays the bagpipes; the dazzling Monterrey Stadium.
Clockwise from top: Cape Verde’s keeper Vozinha; England and Mexico fans outside the Azteca; Spain captain Rodri with the World Cup; a Scotland fan; the dazzling Monterrey Stadium. Composite: Guardian Designl Imagn Images/Reuters; PA; Fifa/Getty Images; AMA/Getty Images; Getty Images

Match of the tournament

Paraguay 1-1 Germany. There were plenty more games with more goals but none could match the drama of the penalty shootout in this last-32 tie. Germany aren’t supposed to lose in them but they did this time in spectacular fashion. Ed Aarons

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