{"id":47550,"title":"5 Things the World Cup Taught Us","description":"The World Cup in Russia is over and what a month it has been. We take a look back and review what we have learnt from this summer's tournament.","content":"

The World Cup that nobody wanted to end has finally come to a close and we couldn\u2019t be more gutted. Whatever you think of Russia, nobody can deny that they have put on an incredible show. It\u2019s been a sheer feast of football and we\u2019re now left scratching around to fill the void before our club\u2019s get back underway in August. All we can do now is reflect on the big lessons we\u2019ve learnt this summer\u2026<\/p>

1) Loud kits are back<\/p>

World Cup\u2019s are often remembered by the great matches, great goals and great players who graced the pitch. One of the most distinctive features of this year\u2019s tournament has been the eye-catching array of kits on show. Recent tournaments have seen kit makers going for more classic and under-stated looks however this year that was turned on its head. The most notable being the Nigerian offering from Nike which sent their supporters into a frenzy. The shirt was sold out by its release date on the 1st of June after receiving 3 million pre-orders. adidas went for similarly extravagant designs, particularly for Colombia and Belgium.<\/p>

Before the tournament we gave you the low down on the best kits on show in Russia. Check it out by clicking here.<\/p>

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2) England can take penalties<\/p>

One of the big stories to come out of the Three Lions admirable run to the Semi-final was their first EVER World Cup penalty shootout victory. It was a particularly personal victory for Gareth Southgate, who heartbreakingly missed the deciding penalty during the Euro 96 Semi-final. England looked composed and determined during their shootout against the Colombians, with Kane, Trippier, Rashford and Dier all lashing home with ease. Praise also should go to Jordan Pickford who pulled off an unbelievable stop to deny Bacca. In total England scored an impressive 7 times from the spot in Russia.<\/p>

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3) We still don\u2019t know who the GOAT is<\/p>

The Ronaldo\/Messi debate has been causing arguments and ending friendships for getting close to a decade now. This summer was supposed to be the tournament that ended the debate, with the player who dragged their respective, otherwise average, squads the furthest. There has always been those who are die hards in both camps but for those of us who sit on the fence we\u2019re no closer to deciding on the GOAT (greatest of all time if you aren\u2019t down with the kids). Ronaldo beat Messi in the goal scoring stakes but neither player made it to the latter stages, both crashing out in the last 16.<\/p>

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4) England have new heroes<\/p>

When Gareth Southgate was appointed after the Allardyce pint of wine fiasco, it\u2019s safe to say that most of us were left feeling a little underwhelmed. Best part of 20 months later, we are all hailing him as the saviour of English football and sales of waistcoats are through the roof. It wasn\u2019t just on the pitch where England won us over. The media were granted unprecedented access to the players, which was a master stroke in garnering support from the public back home. We found out that they are just normal lads who wanted England to be successful just as much as us, immediately shattering the pampered millionaire image that had been generated by their predecessors. The likes of Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and Kieran Trippier have become unlikely household names and will be sure to receive rapturous receptions when they return to Premier League duties. Ultimately it came to a heartbreaking end and left fans thinking \u201cwhat if?\u201d but Southgate and the boys took us on a journey that we haven\u2019t been on in the living memory of a lot of those watching. England fans can dare to dream again\u2026<\/p>

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5) VAR was largely a success, but still a work in progress<\/p>

It still has its doubters and it probably always will but it\u2019s safe to say that VAR has not been the unmitigated disaster that many anticipated. After all, it helped knock out the German\u2019s\u2026<\/p>

Chairman of the FIFA refereeing committee Pierluigi Collina is certainly very happy with his new toy- \u201cWe have always said that VAR doesn\u2019t mean perfection \u2013 there could still be the wrong interpretation or a mistake \u2013 but I think you would agree that 99.3% is very close to perfection\u201d. The aforementioned Germany vs South Korea match was one of VAR\u2019s biggest moments. Another was during Iran vs Spain, when half the population of Iran were celebrating an unlikely equaliser by the corner flag, only to be left heartbroken when the goal was correctly ruled out by VAR. The Premier League already ruled out the use of VAR for the upcoming season before the World Cup. This now looks like a somewhat hasty and regrettable decision.<\/p>

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That\u2019s our review on the big talking points post-World Cup. What do you think have been the key successes and failures this summer? Let us know your thoughts.<\/p>

Prior to England\u2019s World Cup elimination, we put together our team of the tournament (so far) and it prompted some heated debate. Click here to check it out. Who do you think has played their way into the team in the final matches?<\/p>","urlTitle":"5-things-world-cup-taught-us","url":"\/blog\/5-things-world-cup-taught-us\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/5-things-world-cup-taught-us\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/kitlocker.com\/blog\/5-things-world-cup-taught-us\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1742915978,"updatedAt":1749204521,"publishedAt":1749204520,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":356097,"name":"Kitlocker"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/bm8pgmpt0ckjsd2l7hyfvmmwka8m7d7em9drmqcln8los1b9.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/bm8pgmpt0ckjsd2l7hyfvmmwka8m7d7em9drmqcln8los1b9.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/bm8pgmpt0ckjsd2l7hyfvmmwka8m7d7em9drmqcln8los1b9.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"5 Things the World Cup Taught Us","metaDescription":"The World Cup in Russia is over and what a month it has been. We take a look back and review what we have learnt from this summer's tournament.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":47128,"title":"Best adidas Kits by Colour","url":"\/blog\/advice-centre-adidas-adidas-kits-best-adidas-kits-by-colour\/","urlTitle":"advice-centre-adidas-adidas-kits-best-adidas-kits-by-colour","division":356097,"description":"Our guide to the best adidas football kits for the most popular colours. So whether your team play in red, blue, green or beyond, check out our fave kits.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/updg4jaikwumcubttcbqbmt6ss1chff2xyhhyoihjplihclk.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/updg4jaikwumcubttcbqbmt6ss1chff2xyhhyoihjplihclk.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":47659,"title":"Design Your Own #PowerUp Kit","url":"\/blog\/design-your-own-kit\/","urlTitle":"design-your-own-kit","division":356097,"description":"Bored at home? Want something to get your creative juices flowing? Design a kit and if we like it, we'll bring it to life with #PowerUp.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ki8lm2522hfwgjonllpwduiwyevkqpqokxaymfvov49wcaoh.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ki8lm2522hfwgjonllpwduiwyevkqpqokxaymfvov49wcaoh.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":48111,"title":"Kitunlocker: Cambrian United Hot Steppers","url":"\/blog\/kitunlocker-cambrian-united-hot-steppers\/","urlTitle":"kitunlocker-cambrian-united-hot-steppers","division":356097,"description":"Cambrian United Hot Steppers from Wales are playing a vital role in ensuring that women in their community are not frozen out of football.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8tbnsvj00qxzlilwlohpfz6wqkujjq8zufiwwn4mfyzyw83e.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8tbnsvj00qxzlilwlohpfz6wqkujjq8zufiwwn4mfyzyw83e.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}