World Cup: The Top 5 Internet Memes of the Tournament So Far

11:42 PM PDT 6/20/2018 by Vladmir Kozlov

Allison's no-nonsense Brazilian balloon pop, Neymar's haircut and the intensity of Senegalese manger Aliou Cisse have been the World Cup moments that caught fire online.

What would the World Cup be without memes?

As soccer's premiere event heads into its second week, we look back at the match moments at Russia 2018 that have inspired social media to go viral.

Alisson's Brazilian Balloon Popp/> During Brazil's Sunday match against Switzerland, goalkeeper Alisson resolutely popped a stray red balloon that flew to the box area. The image became an instant viral sensation.

While some fans saw the image as a metaphor for life or their own psychology—“I'm the balloon, Allison's my mother,” wrote one —others jumped on the opportunity to quote 80s stand-up comedian Yakov Smirnoff. and the popular “In Soviet Russia...” meme, noting that: “in Soviet Russia, the balloon pops you.”

In Soviet Russia, the balloon pops you. pic.twitter.com/7RcT6YHF1x

(Original source)