2010 FIFA World Cup - Trophy Room

2010 FIFA World Cup
South Africa

Spain Win World Cup
Final
Netherlands 0-1 Spain (after extra time)
July 11 2010
Andres Iniesta scored the goal that finally gave Spain World Cup glory at Soccer City, Johannesburg four minutes from the end of extra time. A disappointing match ended 0-0 at full time, but the European champions were given a boost seven minutes before Iniesta's golden strike when Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga was sent off for a second bookable offence. Seven other Netherlands players and five from Spain were shown yellow cards by English referee Howard Webb. Arjen Robben had the two best chances for the Dutch, but was foiled by Spain keeper and captain Iker Casillas on each occasion. After the match Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was named best player of the tournament and German Thomas Mueller will be given the Golden Boot for leading goalscorer after his number of assists edged him ahead of the others tied on five goals. Mueller was also credited with being the best young player at World Cup 2010.
Germany Claim Bronze
Third/Fourth Place Play-off
Uruguay 2-3 Germany
July 10 2010
Sami Khedira headed the winner for Germany at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth as Germany ensured a top three finish for the third World Cup running. Thomas Mueller had put the Germans in front, only for Edinson Cavani to equalise. An entertaining match saw Diego Forlan expertly volley Uruguay ahead on 51 minutes, but a defensive lapse allowed Marcel Jansen to nod Germany back on level terms five minutes later. Khedira settled things close to the finish, although Forlan struck the bar with the last kick of the match.
Spain Reach First World Cup Final
Semi-Final

Germany 0-1 Spain
July 7 2010
Carles Puyol's bullet header 17 minutes from time at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban broke the stalemate and led to Spain reaching the biggest stage of all for the first time in the 80-year history of the World Cup.

Orange Glow to World Cup Final
Semi-Final
Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands
July 6 2010
Netherlands will take part in their third World Cup final, and first for 32 years, after a dramatic semi-final at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. Stunning first half golas from captains Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Diego Forlan left it 1-1 at the break and Uruguay were pushing hard for a second for much of the second half until Wesley Sneijder's 70th minute strike and Arjen Robben's header three minutes later appeared to have won it for the Dutch. Uruguay, however, battled on and Maxi Pereira's stoppage time goal set up a frantic finish. The Dutch success means a second successive all-European World Cup final but the first to be held outside that continent.

Villa Again as Spain Sneak Through
Quarter-Final

Paraguay 0-1 Spain
July 3 2010
Spain edged unconvincingly through to a first-ever World Cup semi-final after David Villa's 82nd minute goal, his fifth of the tournament, was enough to see off a determined Paraguay side at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The South Americans had a golden chance to set up a huge upset when Oscar Cardozo stepped up to take a penalty on 57 minutes, but Real Madrid goalkeeper and Spain captain Iker Casillas saved the shot. Just two minutes later Spain were given a penalty chance when Villa was brought down. Xabi Alonso netted but the referee ruled that his team-mates had encroached into the area and ordered a re-take...Alonso failed to beat Paraguay keeper Justo Villar. Semi-Final line-up: Uruguay v Netherlands, Germany v Spain.

Germany Destroy Argentina
Quarter-Final

Argentina 0-4 Germany
July 3 2010
Joachim Loew's excellent young German team created one of the most rermarkable scorelines in World Cup quarter-final history with a superb disscetion of Diego Maradona's Argentina line-up at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. Miroslav Klose netted twice to move within one of Brazliian Ronaldo's World Cup final career record of 15 goals, while Thomas Muller's early header and Arne Friedrich's late tap-in were the other scores for the Europeans.

Gyan Error Lets Uruguay Off Hook
Quarter-Final
Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (Uruguay won 4-2 on pens)
July 2 2010
The final African hope bowed out at Soccer City in Johannesburg after a dramatic match ended with Sebastian Abreu coolly scoring from the penalty spot to earn Uruguay victory in the shoot-out and a place in the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1970. Sulley Muntari gave Ghana the lead on the point of half-tme with a long-range effort but a well-executed Diego Forlan free kick levelled matters. Extra time produced high drama as, during a goalmouth scramble in the last minute, Luis Suarez handled the ball to prevent what would surely have been the winner. Suarez was sent off and Asamoah Gyan stepped up to take the penalty, hit the bar and it was down to a spot kick competition. Gyan bravely took his side's first shot in the shoot-out, and scored, but John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah, plus Urugayan Maxi Pereira, all missed. Abreu settled Uruguay nerves by finding the composure to chip the ball over committed goalkeeper Richard Kingson.

Dutch Deliver Knockout Blow to Brazil
Quarter-Final

Netherlands 2-1 Brazil
July 2 2010
Netherlands came from 1-0 down at half-time to knockout five-time world champions Brazil at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Robinho gave Brazil an early lead and the Dutch made little impression in the first half. After the break two moves, each from set-pieces, produced goals. First, goalkeeper Julio Ceaar and midfielder Felipe Melo got into a mess from a Wesley Sneijder free kick and the ball cannoned off Melo and into his own net. Sneijder doubled the lead from a corner and frustration got the better of Melo lawhen he saw red following a clear stamp on Arjen Robben.
Classy Spain Make Last Eight
Second Round

Paraguay 0-0 Japan (Paraguay win 5-3 on pens)
Spain 1-0 Portugal
June 29 2010
Spain moved a step closer to creating history as the tournament's first Iberian winners when a David Villa second half goal was enough to see off their neighbours Portugal at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. Earlier, Paraguay reached the quarter-finals for the first time after the 2010 competition's first penalty shoot-out against a Japanese side also trying to achieve a personal best for their nation. Quarter-Finals: Uruguay v Ghana, Brazil v Netherlands, Argentina v Germany, Spain v Paraguay

Brazil and Dutch on Collision Course
Second Round

Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia
Brazil 3-0 Chile
June 28 2010
Five-time world champions Brazil brushed aside South American rivals Chile at Ellis Park, Johannesburg to reach the quarter-finals. Juan's powerful header on 35 was augmented by a superbly worked goal by Luis Fabiano three minutes later and an excellent Robinho finish on the hour. Arjen Robben's first half strike and a goal six minutes from time by Wesley Sneijder sealed victory for the Netherlands agaisnt Slovakia in Port Elizabeth. Robert Vittel's penalty in stoppage time was a mere consolation for the Slovaks. Brazil will face the Dutch in the last eight.
England Thrashed By Germany
Second Round
Germany 4-1 England
Argentina 3-1 Mexico
June 27 2010
Fabio Capello's England went out of the World Cup in ignominy after being exposed by a young German side at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. Miroslav Klose gave the Germans an early lead and Lukas Podolski doubled the advantage on 32 minutes. Matthew Upson's header pulled one back and within 60 seconds England had appeared to have equalised when Frank Lampard's shot cannoned off the crossbar and clearly bounced beyond the goal-line. However, the Uruguayan officials ruled otherwise and two second half goals on the counter-attack from Thomas Muller sealed Germany's place in the last eight. They will face old rivals Argentina after two Carlos Tevez goals either side of a Gonazalo Higuain effort was too much for Mexico who avoided a blank score-sheet with Javier Hernandez's neat finish.

Suarez Fires Uruguay
Second Round

Uruguay 2-1 South Korea
United States 1-2 Ghana (aet)
June 26 2010
Luis Suarez scored a superb winner 10 minutes from time in Port Elizabeth to send Uruguay into the quarter-finals for the first time in 40 years. Suarez had given the two-time world champions the lead after eight minutes, but Lee Chung-Yong equalised midway through the second half. Uruguay's opposition in the last eight will be Ghana after the Africans edged a tense match in Rustenburg. Kevin Prince Boateng gave Ghana a ffith mimute lead, Landon Donovan slotted a penalty in the second half for the States. Asamoah Gyan scored thw winner in extra time.

Spain Gather Momentum
Group G
North Korea 0-3 Ivory Coast
Portugal 0-0 Brazil
Group H
Chile 1-2 Spain
Switzerland 0-0 Honduras
June 25 2010
European champions Spain progressed to round two with first half goals from David Villa and Andres Iniesta against a Chile side reduced to 10 men just before the break. Marco Estrada was yet another controversial sending off after appearing to accidentally trip Fernando Torres in the build-up to Iniesta's strike at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, In Bloemfontein, Switzerland failed to take advantage of Chile's defeat, being held by bottom of the table Honduras and eliminated despite beating Spain in their first match. Earlier, Brazil and Portugal played out a hugely disappointing match in Durban, content in the knowledge that a draw was sufficient to see both through. Yaya Toure, Romaric and Salomon Kalou scored for the Ivorians in Nelspruit but the victory proved to be inconsequential agsinst a North Korea side that crucially conceded seven against Portugal.
World Champions Dethroned By Slovaks
Group E
Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands
Denmark 1-3 Japan
Group F
Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand
Slovakia 3-2 Italy
June 24 2010
Holders Italy were sensationally eliminated from the World Cup at Ellis Park in Johannesburg by an inspired Slovakia side. Robert Vittek's double strike put the unfancied Eastern Europeans 2-0 up with 17 minutes to play in a match Italy could not afford to lose. Antonio Di Natale pulled one back and Fabio Quagliarella thought he had equalised only to be denied by a tight offiside decision. Kamil Kopunek restored the two-goal cushion with a minute to go but Quagliarella gave the Azzurri hope with a delicious chip and Simone Pepe could have saved them in the last attack, but out they went. Paraguay's goalless draw with the Kiwis in Nelspruit ensured that they won the group, Slovakia second, NZ third and the Italians bottom. The Dutch stormed to a third consecutive win, and inflicted a third straight Group E defeat on Cameroon, with goals from Robin Van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in Cape Town. Samuel Eto'o responded with a penalty for the Africans. Japan joined them in the last 16 after superb free kicks from Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo effectively doomed the Danes before Jon-Dahl Tomasson's penalty and Shinji Ozazaki's 87th minute clincher completed the scoring in Rustenburg.
Old Rivals Set For Bloemfontein Summit
Group C
Slovenia 0-1 England
Uunited States 1-0 Algeria
Group D
Ghana 0-1 Germany
Australia 2-1 Serbia
June 23 2010
Recalled striker Jermain Defoe scored the crucial goal that sent England through to the second round at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth. Landon Donovan came up with a dramatic stoppage time winer at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria for the Usa, which catapulted them from third place to group winners. Mesut Ozil ensured Germany yet again came through their first round group in an entertaining clash at Soccer City in Johannesburg and, as Group D winners, will face old rivals England in Bloemfontein. Ghana edged out Australia on goal difference, despite the Socceroos winning in Nelspruit thanks to goals from Tim Cahill and Brett Holman with Marko Pantelic's late strike not enough to keep Serbia in the competition. The Africans will take on the United States.
South Africa First Hosts to Fail
Group A
South Africa 2-1 France
Uruguay 1-0 Mexico
Group B
Argentina 2-0 Greece
Nigeria 2-2 South Korea
June 22 2010
Despite earning victory over France in Bloemfontein, South Africa suffered the ignominy of becoming the first World Cup Finals host nation to fail to reach the second round when `Bafana Bafana` went out on goal difference to Mexico. Uruguay, who beat the Mexicans with a first half Luis Suarez header in Rustenburg, won the group and France, who controversially qualified for the tournament at the expense of Ireland, were eliminated with a whimper having scored just one goal in three matches...a squad riven with discontent. Mexico play Argentina in round two after Diego Maradona's side swept aside a negative Greece side in Polokwane thanks to strikes from Martin Demichelis and Martin Palermo. South Korea qualified for the second time in their history, but the first on foreign soil, after a thrilling draw in Durban. Lee Jung-Soon and Park Chu-Young scored the crucial goals, equalised by Kalu Uche and and a Yakubu penalty. Yakubu missed an open goal which, with hindsight, would have taken the West Africans through.
Portugal Hit North Korea For Seven
Group G
Portugal 7-0 North Korea
Group H
Chile 1-0 Switzerland
Spain 2-0 Honduras
June 21 2010
Portugal hit six second half goals as North Korea were contemptuously swept away in the rain at Green Point Stadium, Cape Town. Tiago scored twice while the other scorers were Raul Meireles, Simao, Hugo Almeida, Liedson and skipper Cristiano Ronaldo, with his first international goal for two years. Portugal need a point from their match against Brazil to guarantee qualifying. In a gripping match along the Cape coast at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, Switzerland had Valon Behrami sent off in yet another contentious red card decision in the first half but hung on grimly to break the World Cup Finals record of nearly nine hours play without conceding a goal across two tournaments before Mark Gonzalez popped up midway through the second half to head the decider. Chile require a point against Spain, or Switzerland to be held by Honduras, to progress. David Villa scored twice in Spain's easy win at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, but missed a penalty.
Kaka Off as Brazil Qualify
Group F
Italy 1-1 New Zealand
Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay
Group G
Brazil 3-1 Ivory Coast
June 20 2010
Luis Fabiano scored twice (one where he appeared to handle the ball on two separate occasions) and Elano added a third as Brazil confirmed their place in the last 16 with a deserved victory over the dangerous Ivory Coast at Soccer City in Johannesburg. However, Real Madrid superstar Kaka was controversially sent off close to full time despite TV replays showing little aggression in his clash with Abdelkader Keita. Didier Drogba scored for the Ivorians, a goal that could prove crucial in the final reckoning, Earlier, New Zealand surprisingly held the World champions at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. The Kiwis took an early lead through Shane Smeltz with Vincenzo Iaquinta equalising from the penalty spot on the half hour. At Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Paraguay eased to victory thanks to strikes from Enrique Vera and Carlos Riveros. The South Americans are in pole position in Group F with Italy needing to beat Slovakia to ensure qualification.

Danes Dump Cameroon Out
Group D
Ghana 1-1 Australia

Group E
Netherlands 1-0 Japan
Cameroon 1-2 Denmark
June 19 2010
Cameroon are the first team eliminated and the Netherlands the first through to the second round at the end of day nine in South Africa. Denmark fought back from trailing to a 10th minute Samuel Eto'o goal at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Arsenal striker Niklas Bendtner and speedy wing Dennis Rommedahl ensured that the Danes go into their final match against Japan knowing that a win will take them through alongside the Dutch. Wesley Sneijder's blistering shot was enough to best Japan at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. At Royal Bakofeng Stadium in Rustenburg, Brett Holman's early goal put Australia in front against Ghana but the `Black Stars` equalised on 25 minutes when Asamoah Gyan notched his second penalty of the tournament after Harry Kewell was sent off for handling the ball on his own goal-line to prevent Jonathan Mensah from scoring. Ghana need a point from their final match against Germany to ensure qualification, Australia must beat Serbia and hope the other result goes their way.
Germany and England Struggle
Group C
England 0-0 Algeria
Slovenia 2-2 United States
Group D
Germany 0-1 Serbia
June 18 2010
German superstar Miroslav Klose was controversially sent off as the three-time world champions became the latest of the higher ranked sides to lose in South Africa. Germany lost to a close range volley from Milan Jovanovic in the 39th minute of their match in Port Elizabeth, shortly after Klose had seen red for two debatable yellow card offences. A thrilling match at Ellis Park, Johannesburg ended with Slovenia and the United States sharing the spoils. Slovenia were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to strikes from Valter Birsa and Zlatan Ljubijankic, but the States fought back with a Landon Donovan drive early in the second period and drew level with Michael Bradley's smart finish. England were held by Algeria at Green Point Stadium, Cape Town in a dull scoreless draw of few chances.

Argentina Purr As France Falter
Group A
France 0-2 Mexico
Group B
Argentina 4-1 South Korea
Greece 2-1 Nigeria
June 17 2010
Gonzalo Higuain scored the first hat-trick in a World Cup Finals match since 2002 as Argentina virtually ensured qualification for the second round at Soccer City in Johannesburg. Argentina took the lead with an unfortunate Park Chu-Young own goal, Higuain then scored his first and the only blip in their progress was conceding a sloppy goal just before half-time when Lee Chung-Yong punished a defensive mistake. In contrast, France were poor for the second match in a row but this time did not get away with a draw from their meeting with Mexico in Polokwane. Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez with a neat finish and a Cuauhtemoc Blanco penalty left Raymond Domenech's side needing to beat South Africa and hope for a positive result in the Uruguay-Mexico clash to stand a chance of progressing. If they do, they would almost certainly face Argentina in round two. Greece went 1-0 down to Nigeria at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, allowing Kalu Uche's floated free kick to travel unimpeded into their net. However, Sani Kaita's sending off for lashing out with his foot on 33 minutes turned the match. Dimitris Salpingidius scored the first ever Greek goal in a World Cup finals match and Vasileios Torosidis knocked in the winner.

Brazil Pushed Hard By Underdogs
Group F
New Zealand 1-1 Slovakia
Group G
Ivory Coast 0-0 Portugal
Brazil 2-1 North Korea
June 15 2010
Goals from Maicon and Elano gave five-time world champions Brazil a solid, if unspectacular start, against the team ranked 105 in the global rankings at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. However, Dunga's men failed to score in the first half. Ji Yun-Nam finished smartly just before full-time for the Koreans. The much anticipated meeting between World No.3 Portugal and powerful African side Ivory Coast at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth failed to live up to expectations as they settled for a drab draw to keep both in with a chance in a tough group. Earlier, at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, Winston Reid headed an equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time to give New Zealand their first point in World Cup Finals history. Robert Vittek had nodded Slovakia into the lead on 50 minutes. The Slovaks were making their World Cup Finals debut as an independent nation.

Holders Given Rough Ride
Group E
Netherlands 2-0 Denmark
Japan 1-0 Cameroon
Group F
Italy 1-1 Paraguay
June 14 2010
World Cup holders Italy struggled in the opening match of the defence of the title in Cape Town. Antolin Alcaraz headed Paraguay ino a first half lead but Marcello Lippi marshalled his troops to fightback, with Daniele de Rossi equalising on 63 minutes. Japan achieved their first World Cup Finals win away from home when Keisuke Honda's first half strike edged a tense battle with Cameroon at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. At Soccer City in Johannesburg, a Daniel Agger own goal early in the second half and Dirk Kuyt's tap-in after Eljero Elia's shot hit a post eased the Netherlands to victory over the Danes.
Germany Signal Their Intent
Group C
Algeria 0-1 Slovenia
Group D
Serbia 0-1 Ghana
Germany 4-0 Australia
June 13 2010
Germany produced by far the most impressive performance of the tournament so far with a clinical dissection of Australia in Durban on a day of three red cards. Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose (scoring his 11th World Cup Finals goal at the start of his third consecutive tournament) netted before Aussie star man Tim Cahill was controversially sent off for a late tackle. Thomas Muller and Cacau completed the scoring as the Socceroos slipped into disarray. Earlier, at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, Asamoah Gyan slotted an 85th minute penalty as Ghana saw off Serbia, who had Aleksandar Lukovic sent off. A poor game at Polokwane ended with Slovenia earning three points thanks to Algeria goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi allowing a tame Robert Koren shot to slip into the net. Algeria's second half sub Abdelkader Ghezzal was dismissed just 14 minutes after joining the action for two bookable offences.

Green Mishap Denies England Win
Group B
South Korea 2-0 Greece
Argentina 1-0 Nigeria
Group C
England 1-1 United States
June 12 2010
A shocking error by England goalkeeper Robert Green gave the United States a point in their opener at the Royal Bakofeng Stadium in Rustenburg. Steven Gerrard had calmly slotted an early goal but Green's failure to gather a soft shot from Clint Dempsey allowed the US to level shortly before half-time. Diego Maradona's Argentina side got off the mark at the first opportunity thanks to Gabriel Heinze's header from a sixth minute corner at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. However, the twice former world champions should have won by a much clearer margin, fluffing several chances. Earlier, at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Korea totally outplayed 2004 European champions Greece. Lee Jung Soo scored in the seventh minute and the advantage could have been much more than 1-0 at half-time. Manchester United's Park Ji Sung sealed victory on 52 minutes with a fine run and finish.
Tight Start To World Cup
Group A
South Africa 1-1 Mexico
Uruguay 0-0 France
June 11 2010
The 19th World Cup finals got underway with the unfancied host nation almost pulling off an opening day victory at Soccer City in Johannesburg. A spectacular goal from Siphiwe Tshabalala on 55 minutes was equalised by a smart Rafael Marquez finish for Mexico with 11 to go. Katlego Mphela could have won it at the end for Bafana Bafana but hit a post. Later, at Green Point in Cape Town, a star-studded but ineffectual France team were held by a Uruguay side reduced to 10 men in the second half by Nicolas Lodeiro's sending off for a poor challenge on Bakary Sagna, his second bookable offence