2010 FIFA World Cup knockout stage
Encyclopedia
The knockout stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup was the second and final stage of the World Cup, following the group stage. It began on 26 June with the round of 16 matches, and ended on 11 July with the final match of the tournament held at Soccer City, Johannesburg
, in which Spain
beat the Netherlands
1–0 after extra time to claim their first World Cup. The top two teams from each group (16 in total) advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination
style tournament. A third place match is included and played between the two losing teams of the semi-finals.
In the knockout stage (including the final), if a match was level at the end of 90 minutes, extra time of two periods (15 minutes each) would be played. If the score was still level after extra time, the match would be decided by a penalty shootout.
All times listed are South African Standard Time (UTC+02)
vs the Korea Republic
was the first match in the Round of 16. The match was held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
in Port Elizabeth before a low crowd of 30,597. Uruguay won the match 2–1. Uruguay's two goals came from Luis Suárez
, the second of which broke a 1–1 deadlock in the 80th minute. Suárez's first was scored when Diego Forlan
made a low cross from the left that was not dealt with by the Korean defence, leaving Suárez to score at the back post. Uruguay subsequently adopted a defensive posture and Korea had more chances to score. Eventually, Lee Chung-Yong
equalised in the 68th minute, scoring a headed goal following a free kick. Despite Korea then having chances to win the match, it was Suárez who scored Uruguay's winner in the 80th minute with a curling strike from the edge of the 18-yard box that went in off the inside of the post. Suarez's goal was regarded as one of the tournament's best. Korea missed more good chances in the final minutes of the game, giving Uruguay victory and passage to the Quarter-Finals for the first time since 1970, where they would face Ghana
. After the match, the Uruguayan coach Óscar Tabárez
attributed his team's successful run to the number of players with experience at top-level overseas clubs. Korean coach Huh Jung-Moo
claimed his side "controlled" the match and that Uruguay's goals were "lucky".
----
vs Ghana
was played on 26 June 2010 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium
in Rustenburg. The match was watched by 19 million Americans, making it the most watched association football match in American television history. The match was won by Ghana in extra time, after Asamoah Gyan
broke a 1–1 deadlock. Kevin-Prince Boateng
scored the opening goal of the match for Ghana in the 5th minute. The goal followed an error by Ricardo Clark
, who lost the ball to Ghana in midfield. Boateng took the ball to the edge of the penalty area, beating US goalkeeper Tim Howard
with a low left foot shot. Ghana had chances to extend their lead before halftime, but were unable to get past Tim Howard. Landon Donovan
equalised with a penalty kick in the 62nd minute, awarded after Jonathan Mensah
fouled Clint Dempsey
. The US had chances to win the game thereafter, but they were unable to get past Ghana's goalkeeper Richard Kingson
. The match thus went to extra time. In the third minute, Gyan latched onto a high long ball, chesting it down and holding off two defenders before scoring the winner. After the match, Ghana's coach Milovan Rajevac hailed his side's achievement in becoming one of the "best eight teams in the world", but regretted the number of players that would miss the quarter-final against Uruguay
because of injury or suspension. The president of the Soccer Federation
, Sunil Gulati
, lamented the team's failure to make the quarter-finals and thereby further raise the profile of the sport in the US
.
----
and England
played each other on 27 June 2010 at the Free State Stadium
in Bloemfontein
. Germany took the lead in the 20th minute after English defenders Matthew Upson
and John Terry
were at fault in allowing Miroslav Klose
to latch on to a long goal kick from Manuel Neuer
and score. Lukas Podolski
doubled Germany's lead 12 minutes later, although England pulled one goal back through Upson in the 37th minute, heading in a cross from Steven Gerrard
. A controversial moment then occurred in the 39th minute: a shot by Frank Lampard
was not awarded as a goal despite the ball crossing the goal line. Had the goal been awarded, England would have equalised at 2–2. Thomas Müller
subsequently scored two goals in the second half, extending Germany's lead to 4–1. His first came at the end of a swift German counter-attack in the 67th minute, the goal being assisted by Bastian Schweinsteiger
. His second came from an error by Gareth Barry
and was set up by Mesut Özil
. Germany won the match soundly, 4–1. Germany progressed to meet Argentina
in the quarter-final.
----
and Mexico
met on 27 June 2010 at Soccer City in Johannesburg
. Argentina won the match 3–1 for a place in the quarter-finals against Germany
. The match was overshadowed by a refereeing error that allowed Argentina's opening goal. Carlos Tévez
headed the ball into the net from a Lionel Messi
pass in the 25th minute, but replays showed there were no players between Tévez and the goal, rendering his goal clearly offside. Replays of the goal were shown in the stadium but the decision to award the goal was not overturned. Tévez said he knew that the goal was offside, but chose not to say anything. Argentina's second goal came from a defensive error from Ricardo Osorio
as a poor pass out of defence was snatched by Gonzalo Higuaín
to round the keeper and score. After half-time, Tévez scored his second goal of the match to give Argentina a three goal lead, with a long range shot that found the top corner of the Mexican goal. Javier Hernández scored for Mexico in the 71st minute but it turned out to be no more than a consolation goal, as Argentina held on to win 3–1. Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre
resigned after the match, accepting responsibility for not meeting the team's target of the quarter-finals. Tévez conceded that he was aware his first goal was offside at the time, although Aguirre deflected the blame for his side's loss away from the refereeing.
----
and Slovakia
played on 28 June 2010 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban
. The Netherlands won 2–1. The Netherlands' first goal was an excellent individual effort from Arjen Robben
in the 18th minute, taking on the Slovakian defence with the ball before scoring from 25 yards. The Dutch had chances to extend their lead in the second half; Arjen Robben cut inside on his left foot just like he did when he score the goal, but this time the slovak goalkeeper Jan Mucha
saved the shot going to his far post. The Slovaks also had 2 big opportunities to equalize but forced 2 great saves from Maarten Stekelenburg. The Dutch however in the 84th minute sealed their win, with Wesley Sneijder
scoring off an assist from Dirk Kuyt
into an unguarded net after Kuyt got the ball past the Slovak keeper. Róbert Vittek
slotted a penalty kick late in stoppage time, but it was no more than a consolation goal for Slovakia. The penalty had been awarded for a trip on Vittek by the Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. The Netherlands' win threatened to be overshadowed by Robin van Persie
responding angrily to being substituted by coach Bert van Marwijk
. van Marwijk called a team meeting over the incident, and insisted later that there was no residual unrest in the squad.
----
soundly defeated Chile
3–0 on 28 June 2010 at Ellis Park Stadium
, Johannesburg
to progress to a quarter-final match against the Netherlands
. Brazil's first goal came from a corner kick taken by Maicon in the 34th minute, with Juan
heading the ball into the goal without being marked. Brazil had doubled its lead within five minutes after a free-flowing passing movement involving Robinho
and Kaká
that teed up Luis Fabiano
to score after taking the ball around the Chilean goalkeeper. Robinho himself sealed victory for Brazil in the second half, scoring following a long run with the ball by Ramires
. After the match, Chile's coach Marcelo Bielsa
conceded that his team had been outplayed, arguing that in his position there was "little one can do" when up against a team of Brazil's quality.
----
and Japan
met at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium
in Pretoria
on 29 June 2010. The match was decided by a penalty shootout after the score was locked at 0–0 for 120 minutes. Paraguay won the shootout and progressed to its first ever World Cup quarter-final.
The match was a generally unexciting affair, as Japan adopted a defensive posture while Paraguay itself maintained a solid defence. The first half produced the occasional chance on goal with Lucas Barrios
having a shot saved shortly before a long distance shot from Daisuke Matsui
hit the crossbar of Paraguay's goal. The second half was similar, with either side producing occasional chances to score rather than periods of dominance. The result of the deadlock was extra time, which continued goalless. A penalty shootout ensued, in which Yuichi Komano
missed a spot kick for Japan. Paraguay scored all five of its penalties, clinching the win and passage to the quarter-finals.
After the match, Japan's coach Takeshi Okada
resigned and Shunsuke Nakamura
retired from international football.
----
defeated Portugal
1–0 in the Iberia
n derby
to progress to the quarter finals where they were to play Paraguay
. The game took place on Tuesday 29 June 2010 at the Cape Town Stadium. Spain dominated the game with a ball possession ratio of 62% and several opportunities, but had to endure a pair of missed chances by the Portuguese in the first half, including one by Hugo Almeida
which nearly resulted in a goal. In the second half, the Portuguese attacking threat decreased, and the entry of Fernando Llorente for Fernando Torres
on the field brought new energy to the Spanish team. The only goal of the match came on the 63rd minute: David Villa
picked up a brilliant pass by Xavi
, having his first shot saved, but then lifted the rebound into the roof of the net. Post match replays showed that the goal was scored from an offside position (0.22m according to ESPN axis).
versus Brazil
was the first quarter-final match, held on 2 July 2010 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
in Port Elizabeth. The Netherlands won 2–1 after recovering from a 1–0 deficit, knocking the five-time world champions Brazil out of the tournament. The Netherlands' team was affected by an injury to Joris Mathijsen before the match. His replacement in defence—Andre Ooijer
—and fellow central defender John Heitinga
were at fault for Brazil's opening goal in the 10th minute, when Robinho
was allowed to latch onto a deep pass from Felipe Melo and score without being challenged by the defence. For the rest of the first half, the Dutch were largely frustrated by the Brazilian defence, and needed to rely on Maarten Stekelenburg's goalkeeping to prevent Brazil from extending its lead. However, eight minutes after half-time, the Dutch equalised through a goal scored by Wesley Sneijder
. The goal was initially recorded as an own goal by Felipe Melo, but FIFA
overturned the decision to credit the goal to Sneijder. Having equalised, the Netherlands subsequently took the lead from an Arjen Robben
corner kick in the 68th minute, Sneijder heading the ball in after a flick-on from Dirk Kuyt
. Brazil's chances of restoring parity were damaged when Felipe Melo was sent off for a stamp on Robben. The Netherlands held out for the win, thereby earning passage to the semi-finals.
Brazil's coach Dunga
confirmed after the match that he would be leaving the position upon the expiry of his contract, admitting responsibility for Brazil's defeat. The Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk
attacked the Brazilian team after the match, claiming they had provoked his side, and that Melo's stamp on Robben left him "ashamed for Brazilian football."
----
and Ghana
met on 2 July 2010 at Soccer City, Johannesburg
for a place in the semi-final against the Netherlands
. It was the first time that the teams had ever played each other in a senior competitive football match. After a dramatic 120 minutes of play (including extra time) that finished 1–1, Uruguay won in a penalty shoot-out 4–2.
Uruguay dominated the early periods of the match, but suffered an injury to captain Diego Lugano
in the first half. Just before half-time, Ghana took the lead when Sulley Muntari
was allowed time on the ball by Uruguay, and took advantage by scoring with a shot from 40 yards. After half-time, Diego Forlán
pulled Uruguay level with a free kick from the left side of the field that went over the head of Ghana's goalkeeper Richard Kingson
. While both teams had chances to win, the match proceeded to extra time as the scores remained level. Late in extra time, Ghana sent a free kick
into the box
; Luis Suárez
blocked Stephen Appiah
's shot on the goal line. On the rebound, Dominic Adiyiah
’s header was heading into the goal, but Suárez blatantly blocked the shot with his hands to save what would have been the extra-time winner and he was red carded. Asamoah Gyan
missed the ensuing penalty kick
off the crossbar and Suárez celebrated the miss. In the shootout, Gyan converted his penalty, but Adiyiah and captain John Mensah
missed. Sebastián Abreu
converted Uruguay's fifth spot kick to win the match.
After the game, Suárez said, "I made the save of the tournament," and, referring to the infamous handball goal scored by Diego Maradona
in the 1986 World Cup, claimed that "The 'Hand of God' now belongs to me." Suárez claimed he had no alternative and was acting out of instinct. Forlán agreed that Suárez saved the game, "Suárez this time, instead of scoring goals, he saved one, I think he saved the game.
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac said the play was an "injustice" and Suárez was labeled a "villain" and a "cheat". But Uruguay coach, Óscar Tabárez
, said these labels were too harsh, "Well, there was a handball in the penalty area, there was a red card and Suárez was thrown out. Saying that Ghana were cheated out of the game is too harsh. We have to go by the rules. It might have been a mistake by my player but I do not like that word ‘cheating’."
Ghana was the last African team left in the tournament and if they had won, they would have been the first team from Africa to ever make the semifinals. Thus, Suárez was said to have "enraged an entire continent[ Africa] ." But others viewed him as a hero who sacrificed himself in the semifinal for the unlikely chance that his team could win. A distraught Gyan conceded, "I would say Suárez is a hero now in his own country, because the ball was going in and he held it with his hand. He is a hero now."
----
thrashed Argentina
4–0 at the Cape Town Stadium, to reach the semi-finals. It was the third time in the tournament that Germany had scored four goals in a match. Germany's first goal was scored by Thomas Müller
in the third minute of the match, with a header from a free kick taken by Bastian Schweinsteiger
. Early in the second half, Argentina pressed Germany and came close to scoring on a number of occasions, but Germany hit back on a counter-attack in the 67th minute, when Miroslav Klose
scored from a pass by Lukas Podolski
. Germany's third came from Arne Friedrich
seven minutes later, before Klose took the score to 4–0, volleying the ball into the net off a cross from Mesut Özil
. The 4–0 defeat was Argentina's biggest loss at a World Cup since 1974. Germany's coach Joachim Löw hailed his side's performance as one of "absolute class," but admitted the suspension of Müller for picking up a yellow card was a blow.
----
defeated Paraguay
1–0, to secure entry to the semi-finals where they would meet Germany
. It was the first time that Spain had progressed to the semi-final of a World Cup since 1950; while for the defeated Paraguay, the quarter-final appearance was also the country's best ever performance.
The first half of the match finished goalless, although both sides had chances to score and Paraguay's Nelson Valdez
had a goal ruled out as offside. The match suddenly became eventful in the second half due to a string of penalty kicks. First, Óscar Cardozo
was pulled down by Gerard Piqué
in Spain's penalty area and Paraguay was awarded a penalty. Cardozo took the penalty himself but it was saved by Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas
. Spain soon after launched an attack at the other end of the field, in which David Villa
was ruled by the referee to have been brought down by Antolín Alcaraz
. Xabi Alonso
stepped up to take the penalty kick and seemed to have scored, only for the referee to order it be retaken because of encroachment by a Spanish player into the penalty area before the kick was taken. Xabi Alonso's retake was saved by Paraguayan goalkeeper Justo Villar. As a result, the score remained 0–0 after the three penalty kicks. However, Spain ultimately managed to take the lead in the 82nd minute: David Villa collected a rebounded shot off the post from Pedro
, to score himself off the post. The goal turned out to be the winner for Spain.
After the match, Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque
conceded that his side were not playing at their best and were starved of possession. He also noted his view that Spain's next opponents Germany were the best team at the World Cup. Paraguay's coach Gerardo Martino
stated he would be leaving his position at the end of his contract.
played the Netherlands
in the first semi-final on 6 July 2010 at the Cape Town Stadium. The Netherlands won the match 3–2, thereby qualifying for the final for the first time since the 1978 World Cup
.
Uruguay adopted a defensive posture early in the match, but were only able to hold their opponents scoreless for 18 minutes, when Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst
scored from 35 yards into the top corner of the goal. However, the Netherlands were unable to capitalise on their lead, as Diego Forlán
equalised in the 41st minute when his shot from 25 yards was misjudged by goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. The second half failed to produce many chances for either side, until the Netherlands scored two goals in quick succession to take a 3–1 lead. First, in the 70th minute, Wesley Sneijder
scored when his shot ricochetted off a Uruguyan defender and the goalpost. Then, barely three minutes later, Arjen Robben
headed in a cross from Dirk Kuyt
. The Netherlands suffered a late scare when Maxi Pereira scored in stoppage time; however, the score remained 3–2 despite desperate Uruguayan attempts to equalise.
After the match, Uruguay's coach Óscar Tabárez
spoke of his pride in his team for reaching the semi-finals. The Netherlands progressed to the final of the tournament to face Spain.
----
defeated Germany
1–0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban
to progress to the World Cup Final
against the Netherlands
. It was the first time that Spain had ever won through to the Final of the World Cup, while it was the second consecutive World Cup in which Germany had lost in the semi-finals.
Spain had the bulk of possession throughout the match, with Germany adopting a tight defensive structure. Germany created chances on the counter-attack, but Spain also went close to scoring on numerous occasions in the first and second halves. The match was deadlocked at 0–0 until the 73rd minute, when Spain was awarded a corner. The corner, taken by Xavi
, was met by Carles Puyol
, who headed the ball into the net to give Spain the lead. Thereafter, Spain protected its advantage and won the match.
After the match, Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque
praised the "excellent performance" of his team, while Germany's coach Joachim Löw predicted that Spain would win the final.
in Port Elizabeth
, Germany
defeated Uruguay
by 3–2 to claim third place at the World Cup
for the second successive time after also finishing third at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
. Thomas Müller
capped a period of German dominance with a straightforward finish in the 19th minute after Fernando Muslera
had spilled a long-range drive from Bastian Schweinsteiger
. Uruguay forced their way back into the game after Luis Suárez
's pass put Edinson Cavani through on the left and he finished low into the far corner to put them on level terms after 28 minutes. Diego Forlán
then put them ahead in the second half with an acrobatic volley from the edge of the penalty box after 51 minutes. Marcell Jansen
then scored on 56 minutes after Muslera came for Jérôme Boateng
's cross but missed it, allowing Jansen to head into an empty net. Sami Khedira
headed home the winner in the 82nd minute after Uruguay failed to clear a Mesut Özil
corner. Uruguay almost forced extra time when Forlán curled a 92nd-minute free-kick onto the bar, but Germany held on to win the match.
After the game, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez
insisted that his side did not deserve to be on the losing side, "We achieved an equal game against a real power, we could have won because in the game [they] were not superior to us, "We're not that far away [from Germany's level], the route has been marked, we must learn from this".
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, in which Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
beat the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
1–0 after extra time to claim their first World Cup. The top two teams from each group (16 in total) advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination
Single-elimination tournament
A single-elimination tournament, also called a knockout, cup or sudden death tournament, is a type of elimination tournament where the loser of each match or bracket is immediately eliminated from winning the championship or first prize in the event...
style tournament. A third place match is included and played between the two losing teams of the semi-finals.
In the knockout stage (including the final), if a match was level at the end of 90 minutes, extra time of two periods (15 minutes each) would be played. If the score was still level after extra time, the match would be decided by a penalty shootout.
All times listed are South African Standard Time (UTC+02)
Uruguay vs Korea Republic
UruguayUruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
vs the Korea Republic
Korea Republic national football team
The Korea Republic national football team represents Korea Republic in international football and is controlled by the Korea Football Association. Korea Republic is the most successful Asian football team in the history of the FIFA World Cup having participated in eight World Cup tournaments,...
was the first match in the Round of 16. The match was held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a 48,000-seater stadium in Port Elizabeth.The five-tier, R2 billion Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was built overlooking the North End Lake, at the heart of the city. It is one of three coastal stadiums built in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It regularly hosts...
in Port Elizabeth before a low crowd of 30,597. Uruguay won the match 2–1. Uruguay's two goals came from Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez (Uruguayan footballer)
Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz , commonly known as Luis Suárez and nicknamed "El Pistolero" , is a Uruguayan footballer who plays for Liverpool and the Uruguayan national team...
, the second of which broke a 1–1 deadlock in the 80th minute. Suárez's first was scored when Diego Forlan
Diego Forlán
Diego Forlán Corazo is an Uruguayan footballer who plays as a striker for Internazionale and the Uruguayan national team. He is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe, and also received the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2010 World Cup.Forlán was born...
made a low cross from the left that was not dealt with by the Korean defence, leaving Suárez to score at the back post. Uruguay subsequently adopted a defensive posture and Korea had more chances to score. Eventually, Lee Chung-Yong
Lee Chung-Yong
Lee Chung-Yong is a South Korean footballer who plays for Premier League club Bolton Wanderers and the South Korean national team. His nickname, Blue Dragon, is a transliteration of his given name "Chung-Yong" derived from Hanja, 청용...
equalised in the 68th minute, scoring a headed goal following a free kick. Despite Korea then having chances to win the match, it was Suárez who scored Uruguay's winner in the 80th minute with a curling strike from the edge of the 18-yard box that went in off the inside of the post. Suarez's goal was regarded as one of the tournament's best. Korea missed more good chances in the final minutes of the game, giving Uruguay victory and passage to the Quarter-Finals for the first time since 1970, where they would face Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
. After the match, the Uruguayan coach Óscar Tabárez
Oscar Tabárez
Óscar Wáshington Tabárez Silva, nicknamed El Maestro is a retired Uruguayan footballer who played as a defender, and the current manager of the Uruguayan national team....
attributed his team's successful run to the number of players with experience at top-level overseas clubs. Korean coach Huh Jung-Moo
Huh Jung-Moo
Huh Jung-Moo is a former Korean football player and currently manages Incheon United.-Football career:Huh played for PSV Eindhoven and Hyundai Horang-i as midfielder...
claimed his side "controlled" the match and that Uruguay's goals were "lucky".
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Luis Suárez Luis Suárez (Uruguayan footballer) Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz , commonly known as Luis Suárez and nicknamed "El Pistolero" , is a Uruguayan footballer who plays for Liverpool and the Uruguayan national team... (Uruguay) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Jan-Hendrik Salver (Germany German Football Association The German Football Association is the governing body of football in Germany. A founding member of both FIFA and UEFA, the DFB organises the German football leagues, including the national league, the Bundesliga, and the men's and women's national teams. The DFB is based in Frankfurt and is... ) Mike Pickel (Germany German Football Association The German Football Association is the governing body of football in Germany. A founding member of both FIFA and UEFA, the DFB organises the German football leagues, including the national league, the Bundesliga, and the men's and women's national teams. The DFB is based in Frankfurt and is... ) Fourth official: Joel Aguilar Joel Aguilar Joel Antonio Aguilar Chicas is a Salvadoran football referee who currently resides in San Salvador. He has been a full international referee for FIFA since 2001.... (El Salvador Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol The Salvadoran Football Association is the official governing football organization in El Salvador and is in charge of the El Salvador national football team. The federation is also in charge of the three tiers of domestic club competition, including the top-flight Primera División de Fútbol... ) Fifth official: Juan Zumba (El Salvador Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol The Salvadoran Football Association is the official governing football organization in El Salvador and is in charge of the El Salvador national football team. The federation is also in charge of the three tiers of domestic club competition, including the top-flight Primera División de Fútbol... ) |
----
United States vs Ghana
United StatesUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
vs Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
was played on 26 June 2010 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Royal Bafokeng Stadium
The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace is a football, rugby and athletics stadium in Phokeng near Rustenburg, South Africa It was built and is managed by the Royal Bafokeng Nation.. It is used as the home stadium for Premier Soccer League club Platinum Stars...
in Rustenburg. The match was watched by 19 million Americans, making it the most watched association football match in American television history. The match was won by Ghana in extra time, after Asamoah Gyan
Asamoah Gyan
Asamoah Gyan is a Ghanaian professional footballer, who plays as a striker for Emirati club Al Ain in the UAE Pro-League , and the Ghana national team....
broke a 1–1 deadlock. Kevin-Prince Boateng
Kevin-Prince Boateng
Kevin Prince-Boateng , is a German-born Ghanaian footballer, who plays as a Midfielder for Serie A club A.C. Milan. He won nine caps from The Black Stars of Ghana after appearing for Germany's under-15s to their under-21s; he retired from international football on 4 November 2011.-Club career:A...
scored the opening goal of the match for Ghana in the 5th minute. The goal followed an error by Ricardo Clark
Ricardo Clark
Ricardo Clark is an American soccer player who currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga.-High School and College:...
, who lost the ball to Ghana in midfield. Boateng took the ball to the edge of the penalty area, beating US goalkeeper Tim Howard
Tim Howard
Timothy Matthew Howard is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Everton and the United States national team....
with a low left foot shot. Ghana had chances to extend their lead before halftime, but were unable to get past Tim Howard. Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan
Landon Timothy Donovan is an American soccer player for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer in the United States. He usually plays as a withdrawn forward, and can also be used as an attacking midfielder on either wing....
equalised with a penalty kick in the 62nd minute, awarded after Jonathan Mensah
Jonathan Mensah
Jonathan Mensah is a Ghanaian professional footballer, who currently plays as a defender for Ligue 1 club Evian Thonon Gaillard F.C...
fouled Clint Dempsey
Clint Dempsey
Clinton Drew "Clint" Dempsey is an American soccer player who plays for Fulham and the United States national team. Dempsey usually plays as either an attacking midfielder, or a striker....
. The US had chances to win the game thereafter, but they were unable to get past Ghana's goalkeeper Richard Kingson
Richard Kingson
Richard Paul Franck Kingson is a Ghanaian professional football goalkeeper, who is currently a free agent. He is also known as Faruk Gürsoy and is frequently misnamed Kingston due to "irregularity on his identity documents"...
. The match thus went to extra time. In the third minute, Gyan latched onto a high long ball, chesting it down and holding off two defenders before scoring the winner. After the match, Ghana's coach Milovan Rajevac hailed his side's achievement in becoming one of the "best eight teams in the world", but regretted the number of players that would miss the quarter-final against Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
because of injury or suspension. The president of the Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
, Sunil Gulati
Sunil Gulati
Sunil Gulati is the current president of the United States Soccer Federation and special advisor to The Kraft Group and the Kraft family...
, lamented the team's failure to make the quarter-finals and thereby further raise the profile of the sport in the US
Soccer in the United States
Soccer, fully known as association football,See the articles Football and Names for association football#North America for more detailed explanations of the differing names for soccer. has long been a popular sport in the United States...
.
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: André Ayew André Ayew André Morgan Rami Ayew is a Ghanaian football player who currently plays for French club Marseille in Ligue 1. He is often referred to as simply Dédé. Ayew plays as a winger, but can play as a striker... (Ghana) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Gábor Erős (Hungary Hungarian Football Federation The Hungarian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Hungary. It organizes the Hungarian league and the Hungarian national team. It is based in Budapest.György Szepesi was Chairman of the Hungarian Football Association from 1978 to 1986.... ) Tibor Vámos (Hungary Hungarian Football Federation The Hungarian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Hungary. It organizes the Hungarian league and the Hungarian national team. It is based in Budapest.György Szepesi was Chairman of the Hungarian Football Association from 1978 to 1986.... ) Fourth official: Michael Hester Michael Hester Michael Hester , is a New Zealand association football referee in the A-League. Holder of a FIFA international license, he has participated at the highest level, officiating at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.-Biography:... (New Zealand) Fifth official: Tevita Makasini (Tonga Tonga Football Association The Tonga Football Association is the governing body of football in Tonga.-External links:* .* at the FIFA website.* at OFC site... ) |
----
Germany vs England
GermanyGermany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
and England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
played each other on 27 June 2010 at the Free State Stadium
Free State Stadium
The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football...
in Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
. Germany took the lead in the 20th minute after English defenders Matthew Upson
Matthew Upson
Matthew James Upson is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City in the Premier League. He is a central defender and he has played for England at full international level including at the 2010 World Cup....
and John Terry
John Terry
John George Terry is an English professional footballer. Terry plays in a centre back position and is the captain of Chelsea in the Premier League...
were at fault in allowing Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Josef Klose is a German footballer who plays as a striker for Lazio in the Serie A. Since bursting onto the international stage at the 2002 World Cup, he has become well known for his knack of scoring headers, front-flip goal celebrations, and decisive short passing.Klose holds German...
to latch on to a long goal kick from Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer is a German footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bayern Munich and the German national football team.-Schalke 04:Neuer signed professional terms in 2005 after progressing through every age group at his hometown club. He made his Bundesliga debut when he came on to substitute the...
and score. Lukas Podolski
Lukas Podolski
Lukas Josef Podolski ; born Łukasz Podolski ) on 4 June 1985 in Gliwice, Poland) is a German footballer who plays as a striker/winger for 1. FC Köln and for the German national team. He joined 1. FC Köln in 1995 where he broke into the first team in 2003 and made 81 appearances for the club before...
doubled Germany's lead 12 minutes later, although England pulled one goal back through Upson in the 37th minute, heading in a cross from Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
. A controversial moment then occurred in the 39th minute: a shot by Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard
Frank James Lampard is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea and the England national team. He also holds the position of vice-captain for his club side...
was not awarded as a goal despite the ball crossing the goal line. Had the goal been awarded, England would have equalised at 2–2. Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller was a German Waffen-SS Colonel who commanded the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen, 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen and the 27. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division Langemarck during World War II...
subsequently scored two goals in the second half, extending Germany's lead to 4–1. His first came at the end of a swift German counter-attack in the 67th minute, the goal being assisted by Bastian Schweinsteiger
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Bastian Schweinsteiger is a German footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bayern Munich and the German national team. A right-footed player, he is capable of playing out wide or in a more central role....
. His second came from an error by Gareth Barry
Gareth Barry
Gareth Barry is an English footballer who plays for Manchester City and the England national football team.Barry moved to Aston Villa from Brighton & Hove Albion as a youngster, and spent 12 years at the club. He captained Aston Villa, and, at the end of his career with the club, lay eighth in...
and was set up by Mesut Özil
Mesut Özil
Mesut Özil is a footballer who plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and for the German national team. Özil has been a youth national team member since 2006, and a member of the German national team since 2009. He gained international attention during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was nominated...
. Germany won the match soundly, 4–1. Germany progressed to meet Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
in the quarter-final.
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Thomas Müller Thomas Müller Thomas Müller was a German Waffen-SS Colonel who commanded the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen, 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen and the 27. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division Langemarck during World War II... (Germany) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Pablo Fandino (Uruguay) Mauricio Espinosa Mauricio Espinosa Mauricio Espinosa is an Uruguayan football referee who participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He gained publicity during the Round of 16 match between Germany and England, when he ruled that England midfielder Frank Lampard's strike did not cross the goal line, although television coverage... (Uruguay) Fourth official: Martin Vazquez (Uruguay) Fifth official: Miguel Nievas (Uruguay) |
----
Argentina vs Mexico
ArgentinaArgentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
and Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
met on 27 June 2010 at Soccer City in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. Argentina won the match 3–1 for a place in the quarter-finals against Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
. The match was overshadowed by a refereeing error that allowed Argentina's opening goal. Carlos Tévez
Carlos Tévez
Carlos Alberto Tévez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for English club Manchester City...
headed the ball into the net from a Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
pass in the 25th minute, but replays showed there were no players between Tévez and the goal, rendering his goal clearly offside. Replays of the goal were shown in the stadium but the decision to award the goal was not overturned. Tévez said he knew that the goal was offside, but chose not to say anything. Argentina's second goal came from a defensive error from Ricardo Osorio
Ricardo Osorio
Ricardo Osorio Mendoza is a Mexican international football defender, who currently plays with Monterrey of the Primera División de México...
as a poor pass out of defence was snatched by Gonzalo Higuaín
Gonzalo Higuaín
Gonzalo Gerardo "El Pipita" Higuaín is an Argentine professional footballer. He was born in France, attaining Argentine citizenship in 2007, and now holding dual nationality...
to round the keeper and score. After half-time, Tévez scored his second goal of the match to give Argentina a three goal lead, with a long range shot that found the top corner of the Mexican goal. Javier Hernández scored for Mexico in the 71st minute but it turned out to be no more than a consolation goal, as Argentina held on to win 3–1. Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre
Javier Aguirre
Javier Aguirre Onaindía , popularly nicknamed El Vasco , is a Mexican football manager and former midfielder. He was also a member of the Mexico national team and later became manager in two different occasions, but resigned after the 2010 FIFA World Cup...
resigned after the match, accepting responsibility for not meeting the team's target of the quarter-finals. Tévez conceded that he was aware his first goal was offside at the time, although Aguirre deflected the blame for his side's loss away from the refereeing.
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Carlos Tévez Carlos Tévez Carlos Alberto Tévez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for English club Manchester City... (Argentina) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Paolo Calcagno (Italy) Stefano Ayroldi (Italy) Fourth official: Jerome Damon Jerome Damon Jerome Damon is a South African football referee.An international referee since 2000, Damon was on stand-by for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was a referee at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, 2008 Africa Cup of Nations and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.He was preselected as a... (South Africa South African Football Association The South African Football Association or SAFA is the governing body of football in South Africa.-History:The South African Football Association was founded on 8 December, 1991, the culmination of a long unity process that was to rid the sport in South Africa of all its past racial division.Four... ) Fifth official: Célestin Ntagungira (Rwanda) |
----
Netherlands vs Slovakia
The NetherlandsNetherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
and Slovakia
Slovakia national football team
The Slovakia national football team represents Slovakia in association football and is controlled by the Slovak Football Association , the governing body for football in Slovakia. Slovakia's home stadium is Štadión Pasienky and their head coach is Vladimír Weiss...
played on 28 June 2010 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. The Netherlands won 2–1. The Netherlands' first goal was an excellent individual effort from Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben is a Dutch footballer who plays for the German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Though often classified as a forward, he usually plays behind the forwards as a winger, and he is also known for his dribbling skills...
in the 18th minute, taking on the Slovakian defence with the ball before scoring from 25 yards. The Dutch had chances to extend their lead in the second half; Arjen Robben cut inside on his left foot just like he did when he score the goal, but this time the slovak goalkeeper Jan Mucha
Ján Mucha
Ján Mucha is a Slovak football goalkeeper who plays for Everton and Slovakia national team.-Early career:Ján Mucha started his career in his local club TJ Slovan Belá nad Cirochou. Then he moved to MŠK Snina, and later to Inter Bratislava. He spent there 2 seasons in A-team, but he did not play in...
saved the shot going to his far post. The Slovaks also had 2 big opportunities to equalize but forced 2 great saves from Maarten Stekelenburg. The Dutch however in the 84th minute sealed their win, with Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder is a Dutch footballer playing as an attacking midfielder for Internazionale. He was named UEFA midfielder of the season as well as one of the three best midfielders in the world for 2010 by FIFA....
scoring off an assist from Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt is a Dutch footballer who plays for English club Liverpool. He started his career as a striker, but he has been converted into a winger and plays the position for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team....
into an unguarded net after Kuyt got the ball past the Slovak keeper. Róbert Vittek
Róbert Vittek
Róbert Vittek is a Slovak football player who currently plays for Trabzonspor in Turkey.-Slovan Bratislava:...
slotted a penalty kick late in stoppage time, but it was no more than a consolation goal for Slovakia. The penalty had been awarded for a trip on Vittek by the Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. The Netherlands' win threatened to be overshadowed by Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Arsenal and the Dutch national team. He is a youth product of Feyenoord. Having joined Arsenal in 2004, Van Persie became the club captain on 16 August 2011...
responding angrily to being substituted by coach Bert van Marwijk
Bert van Marwijk
Bert van Marwijk OON is the coach of the Netherlands national football team. He also played for Go Ahead Eagles, AZ, MVV, Fortuna Sittard, and other clubs, as well as for the Dutch national team. In 1982, he began his transition into coaching, retiring as a player in 1988 and becoming a full time...
. van Marwijk called a team meeting over the incident, and insisted later that there was no residual unrest in the squad.
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Arjen Robben Arjen Robben Arjen Robben is a Dutch footballer who plays for the German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Though often classified as a forward, he usually plays behind the forwards as a winger, and he is also known for his dribbling skills... (Netherlands) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Fermín Martínez Ibánez (Spain) Juan Carlos Yuste Jiménez (Spain) Fourth official: Stéphane Lannoy Stéphane Lannoy Stéphane Laurent Lannoy is a French football referee. Lannoy played football at an early age before moving into officiating matches. He has been a FIFA international referee since 2006. He lives in Sailly-sur-la-Lys and works as a video games distributor... (France French Football Federation The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris... ) Fifth official: Laurent Ugo (France French Football Federation The French Football Federation is the governing body of association football in France, as well as the overseas departments and territories . It was formed in 1919 and is based in the capital Paris... ) |
----
Brazil vs Chile
BrazilBrazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
soundly defeated Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
3–0 on 28 June 2010 at Ellis Park Stadium
Ellis Park Stadium
Ellis Park Stadium, also known because of its sponsorship by The Coca-Cola Company as Coca-Cola Park, is a rugby union and association football stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the country's...
, Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
to progress to a quarter-final match against the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
. Brazil's first goal came from a corner kick taken by Maicon in the 34th minute, with Juan
Juan Silveira dos Santos
Juan Silveira dos Santos , commonly known as Juan is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a central defender for Italian side Roma.-Club career:...
heading the ball into the goal without being marked. Brazil had doubled its lead within five minutes after a free-flowing passing movement involving Robinho
Robinho
Robson de Souza , more commonly known as Robinho, is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as second striker and winger for Serie A club AC Milan...
and Kaká
Kaká
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite , commonly known as Kaká , is a Brazilian football attacking midfielder who currently plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. Kaká started his footballing career at the age of eight, when he began playing for a local club...
that teed up Luis Fabiano
Luís Fabiano
Luís Fabiano Clemente , commonly known as Luís Fabiano, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays for São Paulo and the Brazilian national football team as a striker.-Early career:...
to score after taking the ball around the Chilean goalkeeper. Robinho himself sealed victory for Brazil in the second half, scoring following a long run with the ball by Ramires
Ramires
Ramires Santos do Nascimento , commonly Ramires and Rambo, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Chelsea and the Brazilian national side. In 2008, he won a Bronze medal in the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China...
. After the match, Chile's coach Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera is an Argentine association football coach and former defender, born in Rosario, Santa Fe...
conceded that his team had been outplayed, arguing that in his position there was "little one can do" when up against a team of Brazil's quality.
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Robinho Robinho Robson de Souza , more commonly known as Robinho, is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as second striker and winger for Serie A club AC Milan... (Brazil) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Darren Cann (England The Football Association The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association... ) Mike Mullarkey (England The Football Association The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association... ) Fourth official: Martin Hansson Martin Hansson Martin Hansson is a Swedish football referee. Hansson currently resides in Holmsjö. He has been a full international referee for FIFA since 2001.... (Sweden Swedish Football Association The Swedish Football Association is the governing body of football in Sweden. It organises the football leagues — Allsvenskan for men and Damallsvenskan for women — and the men's and women's national teams. It is based in Solna and is a founding member of both FIFA and UEFA... ) Fifth official: Stefan Wittberg (Sweden Swedish Football Association The Swedish Football Association is the governing body of football in Sweden. It organises the football leagues — Allsvenskan for men and Damallsvenskan for women — and the men's and women's national teams. It is based in Solna and is a founding member of both FIFA and UEFA... ) |
----
Paraguay vs Japan
ParaguayParaguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
and Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
met at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final...
in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
on 29 June 2010. The match was decided by a penalty shootout after the score was locked at 0–0 for 120 minutes. Paraguay won the shootout and progressed to its first ever World Cup quarter-final.
The match was a generally unexciting affair, as Japan adopted a defensive posture while Paraguay itself maintained a solid defence. The first half produced the occasional chance on goal with Lucas Barrios
Lucas Barrios
Lucas Ramón Barrios Cáceres is an Argentine-born Paraguayan footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga. Barrios is known for his effectiveness in the target area...
having a shot saved shortly before a long distance shot from Daisuke Matsui
Daisuke Matsui
is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for Dijon in Ligue 1.-Early years:In 2000, Matsui graduated from and began his professional career with Kyoto Purple Sanga of the J. League.-Kyoto Purple Sanga:...
hit the crossbar of Paraguay's goal. The second half was similar, with either side producing occasional chances to score rather than periods of dominance. The result of the deadlock was extra time, which continued goalless. A penalty shootout ensued, in which Yuichi Komano
Yuichi Komano
is a Japanese football player. He plays for J. League division 1 side Júbilo Iwata. He is right-footed and mainly plays right full back for the club but he is often employed in the left for Japan national football team.-Playing career:...
missed a spot kick for Japan. Paraguay scored all five of its penalties, clinching the win and passage to the quarter-finals.
After the match, Japan's coach Takeshi Okada
Takeshi Okada
is a former football player that was head coach of the Japanese national football team between 2007 and 2010.-International career:Okada played 24 games and scored one goal for the Japan national football team between 1980 and 1985.-Coaching career:...
resigned and Shunsuke Nakamura
Shunsuke Nakamura
is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for Yokohama F. Marinos in J. League Division 1. He is one of the most prominent and successful Asian players to have played in Scotland and on 13 September 2006 became the first Japanese player to score in the UEFA Champions League and the second Asian...
retired from international football.
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Keisuke Honda Keisuke Honda is a Japanese footballer who currently plays for Russian CSKA Moscow and the Japan national football team. His current position is as a deep-lying playmaker, but he can equally play as an attacking midfielder or second striker. He is also a very skilled free kick taker scoring one in the FIFA World... (Japan) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Peter Hermans (Belgium) Walter Vromans (Belgium) Fourth official: Peter O'Leary Peter O'Leary Peter O'Leary is a New Zealand Association football referee, previously of Wellington but now residing and working in Whangarei. He operates in the Australian A-League and the New Zealand Football Championship, and his other occupation is as a secondary school biology teacher.-Career:He first took... (New Zealand) Fifth official: Matthew Taro (Solomon Islands Solomon Islands Football Federation The Solomon Islands Football Federation is a member of the Oceania Football Confederation.The Solomon Islands national football team made history when they made it to the final Oceania stages of the World Cup Qualification against Australia... ) |
----
Spain vs Portugal
SpainSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
defeated Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
1–0 in the Iberia
Iberia
The name Iberia refers to three historical regions of the old world:* Iberian Peninsula, in Southwest Europe, location of modern-day Portugal and Spain** Prehistoric Iberia...
n derby
Local derby
In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby means a sporting fixture between two, generally local, rivals, particularly in association football...
to progress to the quarter finals where they were to play Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
. The game took place on Tuesday 29 June 2010 at the Cape Town Stadium. Spain dominated the game with a ball possession ratio of 62% and several opportunities, but had to endure a pair of missed chances by the Portuguese in the first half, including one by Hugo Almeida
Hugo Almeida
Hugo Miguel Pereira de Almeida is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Beşiktaş J.K. in Turkey, as a centre forward.After failing to establish himself at F.C...
which nearly resulted in a goal. In the second half, the Portuguese attacking threat decreased, and the entry of Fernando Llorente for Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres
Fernando José Torres Sanz , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Spain national team as a striker....
on the field brought new energy to the Spanish team. The only goal of the match came on the 63rd minute: David Villa
David Villa
David Villa Sánchez , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who currently plays as a striker for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national football team. He can also operate as a winger....
picked up a brilliant pass by Xavi
Xavi
Xavier Hernández i Creus , commonly known as Xavi Hernández or simply Xavi , is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona, where he has spent his entire 14-year career....
, having his first shot saved, but then lifted the rebound into the roof of the net. Post match replays showed that the goal was scored from an offside position (0.22m according to ESPN axis).
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Xavi Xavi Xavier Hernández i Creus , commonly known as Xavi Hernández or simply Xavi , is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona, where he has spent his entire 14-year career.... (Spain) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Ricardo Casas (Argentina Argentine Football Association The Argentine Football Association is the governing body of football in Argentina. It organises the Argentine football league and the Argentina national football team. It is based in Buenos Aires... ) Hernan Maidana (Argentina Argentine Football Association The Argentine Football Association is the governing body of football in Argentina. It organises the Argentine football league and the Argentina national football team. It is based in Buenos Aires... ) Fourth official: Carlos Batres Carlos Batres Carlos Alberto Batres González is a Guatemalan football referee. He has refereed FIFA World Cup qualification and final tournament matches, and at Olympic tournaments.... (Guatemala Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala The Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala , also known by the former acronym FENAFUTG, is the governing body of Football in Guatemala. It organizes the football league, Liga Nacional de Guatemala, Primera División de Ascenso, Segunda División de Ascenso, the Copa Centenario and the Guatemala... ) Fifth official: Carlos Pastrana (Honduras Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras The Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras is the official football organization in Honduras and is in charge of the Honduran national team. FENAFUTH was founded in 1951 and joined FIFA in the same year. Ten years later it joined CONCACAF.-External links:* at FIFA site*... ) |
Netherlands vs Brazil
The NetherlandsNetherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
versus Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
was the first quarter-final match, held on 2 July 2010 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a 48,000-seater stadium in Port Elizabeth.The five-tier, R2 billion Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was built overlooking the North End Lake, at the heart of the city. It is one of three coastal stadiums built in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It regularly hosts...
in Port Elizabeth. The Netherlands won 2–1 after recovering from a 1–0 deficit, knocking the five-time world champions Brazil out of the tournament. The Netherlands' team was affected by an injury to Joris Mathijsen before the match. His replacement in defence—Andre Ooijer
André Ooijer
André Antonius Maria Ooijer is a Dutch football player who currently playing for AFC Ajax as of August 2010.-Early career:Ooijer was talented even as a child, joining his first amateur football team when he was just five years old and started playing for other amateur clubs SDW and SDZ when he was...
—and fellow central defender John Heitinga
John Heitinga
John Gijsbert Alan "Johnny" Heitinga is a Dutch footballer who plays as a defender for English Premier League club Everton and the Dutch national team. A product of Jong Ajax, he previously played for AFC Ajax and Atlético Madrid, before signing for Everton in 2009. Heitinga previously represented...
were at fault for Brazil's opening goal in the 10th minute, when Robinho
Robinho
Robson de Souza , more commonly known as Robinho, is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as second striker and winger for Serie A club AC Milan...
was allowed to latch onto a deep pass from Felipe Melo and score without being challenged by the defence. For the rest of the first half, the Dutch were largely frustrated by the Brazilian defence, and needed to rely on Maarten Stekelenburg's goalkeeping to prevent Brazil from extending its lead. However, eight minutes after half-time, the Dutch equalised through a goal scored by Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder is a Dutch footballer playing as an attacking midfielder for Internazionale. He was named UEFA midfielder of the season as well as one of the three best midfielders in the world for 2010 by FIFA....
. The goal was initially recorded as an own goal by Felipe Melo, but FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
overturned the decision to credit the goal to Sneijder. Having equalised, the Netherlands subsequently took the lead from an Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben is a Dutch footballer who plays for the German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Though often classified as a forward, he usually plays behind the forwards as a winger, and he is also known for his dribbling skills...
corner kick in the 68th minute, Sneijder heading the ball in after a flick-on from Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt is a Dutch footballer who plays for English club Liverpool. He started his career as a striker, but he has been converted into a winger and plays the position for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team....
. Brazil's chances of restoring parity were damaged when Felipe Melo was sent off for a stamp on Robben. The Netherlands held out for the win, thereby earning passage to the semi-finals.
Brazil's coach Dunga
Dunga
Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri , commonly known as Dunga , is a former Brazilian football defensive midfielder and a World Champion for Brazil in the 1994 World Cup...
confirmed after the match that he would be leaving the position upon the expiry of his contract, admitting responsibility for Brazil's defeat. The Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk
Bert van Marwijk
Bert van Marwijk OON is the coach of the Netherlands national football team. He also played for Go Ahead Eagles, AZ, MVV, Fortuna Sittard, and other clubs, as well as for the Dutch national team. In 1982, he began his transition into coaching, retiring as a player in 1988 and becoming a full time...
attacked the Brazilian team after the match, claiming they had provoked his side, and that Melo's stamp on Robben left him "ashamed for Brazilian football."
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Wesley Sneijder Wesley Sneijder Wesley Sneijder is a Dutch footballer playing as an attacking midfielder for Internazionale. He was named UEFA midfielder of the season as well as one of the three best midfielders in the world for 2010 by FIFA.... (Netherlands) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Toru Sagara (Japan Japan Football Association The Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions.... ) Jeong Hae-Sang (Korea Republic Korea Football Association The Korea Football Association is the governing body of football in Korea. The first governing body of Korean football was the Joseon Football Association , founded on 19 September 1933.... ) Fourth official: Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Football Federation The Saudi Arabia Football Federation is the football governing body of Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1956, its responsibilities include administration of club competitions and national teams.... ) Fifth official: Hassan Kamranifar (Iran) |
----
Uruguay vs Ghana
UruguayUruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
and Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
met on 2 July 2010 at Soccer City, Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
for a place in the semi-final against the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
. It was the first time that the teams had ever played each other in a senior competitive football match. After a dramatic 120 minutes of play (including extra time) that finished 1–1, Uruguay won in a penalty shoot-out 4–2.
Uruguay dominated the early periods of the match, but suffered an injury to captain Diego Lugano
Diego Lugano
Diego Alfredo "Tota" Lugano Moreno is a Uruguayan footballer who currently plays for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Uruguay national football team as a central defender....
in the first half. Just before half-time, Ghana took the lead when Sulley Muntari
Sulley Muntari
Sulleyman Ali "Sulley" Muntari is a Ghanaian international footballer who currently plays as a central midfielder for Serie A club Inter Milan in Italy. He has 66 caps for The Black Stars of Ghana.-Early career:...
was allowed time on the ball by Uruguay, and took advantage by scoring with a shot from 40 yards. After half-time, Diego Forlán
Diego Forlán
Diego Forlán Corazo is an Uruguayan footballer who plays as a striker for Internazionale and the Uruguayan national team. He is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe, and also received the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2010 World Cup.Forlán was born...
pulled Uruguay level with a free kick from the left side of the field that went over the head of Ghana's goalkeeper Richard Kingson
Richard Kingson
Richard Paul Franck Kingson is a Ghanaian professional football goalkeeper, who is currently a free agent. He is also known as Faruk Gürsoy and is frequently misnamed Kingston due to "irregularity on his identity documents"...
. While both teams had chances to win, the match proceeded to extra time as the scores remained level. Late in extra time, Ghana sent a free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
into the box
Penalty area
The penalty area , is an area of an association football pitch. It is rectangular and extends to each side of the goal and in front of it. Within the penalty area is the penalty spot , which is from the goal line, directly in-line with the centre of the goal...
; Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez (Uruguayan footballer)
Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz , commonly known as Luis Suárez and nicknamed "El Pistolero" , is a Uruguayan footballer who plays for Liverpool and the Uruguayan national team...
blocked Stephen Appiah
Stephen Appiah
Stephen Leroy Appiah is a former Ghana International football midfielder and captain. He is currently a free agent. He has played for several European clubs since 1997 and is currently without a club. Appiah was a member of the Ghana national team, which he has represented at the youth, Olympic,...
's shot on the goal line. On the rebound, Dominic Adiyiah
Dominic Adiyiah
Dominic Adiyiah is a Ghanaian professional footballer, who plays as a striker for Karşıyaka and the Ghana national team.-Early career:...
’s header was heading into the goal, but Suárez blatantly blocked the shot with his hands to save what would have been the extra-time winner and he was red carded. Asamoah Gyan
Asamoah Gyan
Asamoah Gyan is a Ghanaian professional footballer, who plays as a striker for Emirati club Al Ain in the UAE Pro-League , and the Ghana national team....
missed the ensuing penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
off the crossbar and Suárez celebrated the miss. In the shootout, Gyan converted his penalty, but Adiyiah and captain John Mensah
John Mensah
John Mensah is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a defender for French club Lyon in Ligue 1, although he spent the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons on loan at English club Sunderland in the Premier League...
missed. Sebastián Abreu
Sebastián Abreu
Washington Sebastián Abreu Gallo is an Uruguayan footballer who plays with Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas in Brazil as a striker.Best known by his nickname El Loco , the prolific goalscorer – for club and country – played for more than 20 teams during his professional career, in six different...
converted Uruguay's fifth spot kick to win the match.
After the game, Suárez said, "I made the save of the tournament," and, referring to the infamous handball goal scored by Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
in the 1986 World Cup, claimed that "The 'Hand of God' now belongs to me." Suárez claimed he had no alternative and was acting out of instinct. Forlán agreed that Suárez saved the game, "Suárez this time, instead of scoring goals, he saved one, I think he saved the game.
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac said the play was an "injustice" and Suárez was labeled a "villain" and a "cheat". But Uruguay coach, Óscar Tabárez
Oscar Tabárez
Óscar Wáshington Tabárez Silva, nicknamed El Maestro is a retired Uruguayan footballer who played as a defender, and the current manager of the Uruguayan national team....
, said these labels were too harsh, "Well, there was a handball in the penalty area, there was a red card and Suárez was thrown out. Saying that Ghana were cheated out of the game is too harsh. We have to go by the rules. It might have been a mistake by my player but I do not like that word ‘cheating’."
Ghana was the last African team left in the tournament and if they had won, they would have been the first team from Africa to ever make the semifinals. Thus, Suárez was said to have "enraged an entire continent
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Diego Forlán Diego Forlán Diego Forlán Corazo is an Uruguayan footballer who plays as a striker for Internazionale and the Uruguayan national team. He is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe, and also received the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2010 World Cup.Forlán was born... (Uruguay) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Jose Manuel Silva Cardinal (Portugal Portuguese Football Federation The Portuguese Football Federation is the governing body of football in Portugal. The Portuguese National team is going to win the Euro 2012. It organises the Second and Third Division, the Cup of Portugal, the Portuguese SuperCup, youth levels, women's football, beach soccer, futsal, and also... ) Bertino Miranda (Portugal Portuguese Football Federation The Portuguese Football Federation is the governing body of football in Portugal. The Portuguese National team is going to win the Euro 2012. It organises the Second and Third Division, the Cup of Portugal, the Portuguese SuperCup, youth levels, women's football, beach soccer, futsal, and also... ) Fourth official: Alberto Undiano Mallenco Alberto Undiano Mallenco Alberto Undiano Mallenco is a Spanish football referee who currently resides in Ansoáin. He has been a full international referee for FIFA since 2004. Undiano is also a part-time sociologist.- Career :... (Spain) Fifth official: Fermín Martínez Ibánez (Spain) |
----
Argentina vs Germany
On 3 July 2010, GermanyGermany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
thrashed Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
4–0 at the Cape Town Stadium, to reach the semi-finals. It was the third time in the tournament that Germany had scored four goals in a match. Germany's first goal was scored by Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller was a German Waffen-SS Colonel who commanded the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen, 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen and the 27. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division Langemarck during World War II...
in the third minute of the match, with a header from a free kick taken by Bastian Schweinsteiger
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Bastian Schweinsteiger is a German footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bayern Munich and the German national team. A right-footed player, he is capable of playing out wide or in a more central role....
. Early in the second half, Argentina pressed Germany and came close to scoring on a number of occasions, but Germany hit back on a counter-attack in the 67th minute, when Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Klose
Miroslav Josef Klose is a German footballer who plays as a striker for Lazio in the Serie A. Since bursting onto the international stage at the 2002 World Cup, he has become well known for his knack of scoring headers, front-flip goal celebrations, and decisive short passing.Klose holds German...
scored from a pass by Lukas Podolski
Lukas Podolski
Lukas Josef Podolski ; born Łukasz Podolski ) on 4 June 1985 in Gliwice, Poland) is a German footballer who plays as a striker/winger for 1. FC Köln and for the German national team. He joined 1. FC Köln in 1995 where he broke into the first team in 2003 and made 81 appearances for the club before...
. Germany's third came from Arne Friedrich
Arne Friedrich
Arne Friedrich is a German international football defender, who plays for the German national team....
seven minutes later, before Klose took the score to 4–0, volleying the ball into the net off a cross from Mesut Özil
Mesut Özil
Mesut Özil is a footballer who plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and for the German national team. Özil has been a youth national team member since 2006, and a member of the German national team since 2009. He gained international attention during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was nominated...
. The 4–0 defeat was Argentina's biggest loss at a World Cup since 1974. Germany's coach Joachim Löw hailed his side's performance as one of "absolute class," but admitted the suspension of Müller for picking up a yellow card was a blow.
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Bastian Schweinsteiger Bastian Schweinsteiger Bastian Schweinsteiger is a German footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bayern Munich and the German national team. A right-footed player, he is capable of playing out wide or in a more central role.... (Germany) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Rafael Ilyasov (Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Football Federation The Uzbekistan Football Federation is the governing body of football in Uzbekistan, controlling the Uzbek national team. It was founded in 1946, while Uzbekistan was still under Soviet rule, and has been a member of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation since 1994.The federation organizes the... ) Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic The Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic is the governing body of football in Kyrgyzstan . The organization controls the Kyrgyzstan national football team , Kyrgyzstan national futsal team and sponsors the top league of Kyrgyz football.... ) Fourth official: Jerome Damon Jerome Damon Jerome Damon is a South African football referee.An international referee since 2000, Damon was on stand-by for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was a referee at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, 2008 Africa Cup of Nations and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.He was preselected as a... (South Africa South African Football Association The South African Football Association or SAFA is the governing body of football in South Africa.-History:The South African Football Association was founded on 8 December, 1991, the culmination of a long unity process that was to rid the sport in South Africa of all its past racial division.Four... ) Fifth official: Enock Molefe (South Africa South African Football Association The South African Football Association or SAFA is the governing body of football in South Africa.-History:The South African Football Association was founded on 8 December, 1991, the culmination of a long unity process that was to rid the sport in South Africa of all its past racial division.Four... ) |
----
Paraguay vs Spain
On 3 July 2010, SpainSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
defeated Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
1–0, to secure entry to the semi-finals where they would meet Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
. It was the first time that Spain had progressed to the semi-final of a World Cup since 1950; while for the defeated Paraguay, the quarter-final appearance was also the country's best ever performance.
The first half of the match finished goalless, although both sides had chances to score and Paraguay's Nelson Valdez
Nelson Haedo Valdez
Nelson Antonio Haedo Valdez is a Paraguayan football striker who currently plays for Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan and the Paraguayan national team.-Early life:...
had a goal ruled out as offside. The match suddenly became eventful in the second half due to a string of penalty kicks. First, Óscar Cardozo
Óscar Cardozo
Óscar René Cardozo Marín is a Paraguayan footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, as a striker.Known for his powerful left-foot shot and free-kick skills, he first gained notoriety whilst playing for Newell's Old Boys, which led to a move to Benfica, where he scored more than 100...
was pulled down by Gerard Piqué
Gerard Piqué
Gerard Piqué i Bernabeu is a Spanish footballer, currently playing as a central defender for FC Barcelona.A product of Barça's cantera, he initially left the club for Manchester United in 2004, where he remained for four years, before returning to Barça under Josep Guardiola's leadership, helping...
in Spain's penalty area and Paraguay was awarded a penalty. Cardozo took the penalty himself but it was saved by Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas
Íker Casillas
Iker Casillas Fernández is a Spanish football goalkeeper who plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, being the captain of both...
. Spain soon after launched an attack at the other end of the field, in which David Villa
David Villa
David Villa Sánchez , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who currently plays as a striker for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national football team. He can also operate as a winger....
was ruled by the referee to have been brought down by Antolín Alcaraz
Antolin Alcaraz
Antolín Alcaraz Viveros is a Paraguayan footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic in the Premier League, as a central defender.-Club career:...
. Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso
Xabier "Xabi" Alonso Olano is a Spanish World Cup-winning footballer who plays for Real Madrid as a midfielder.Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the main team of his home region Gipuzkoa. After a brief loan period at Eibar he returned to Sociedad where then manager John Toshack appointed...
stepped up to take the penalty kick and seemed to have scored, only for the referee to order it be retaken because of encroachment by a Spanish player into the penalty area before the kick was taken. Xabi Alonso's retake was saved by Paraguayan goalkeeper Justo Villar. As a result, the score remained 0–0 after the three penalty kicks. However, Spain ultimately managed to take the lead in the 82nd minute: David Villa collected a rebounded shot off the post from Pedro
Pedro Rodríguez Ledesma
Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma , commonly known as Pedro or Pedrito, is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, as a forward or winger....
, to score himself off the post. The goal turned out to be the winner for Spain.
After the match, Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque
Vicente Del Bosque
Vicente del Bosque González, 1st Marquis of Del Bosque is a former Spanish footballer He is currently the manager of the Spanish national football team. After taking over from Luis Aragonés who had led Spain to European success in Euro 2008, Del Bosque went on to manage the national team to the...
conceded that his side were not playing at their best and were starved of possession. He also noted his view that Spain's next opponents Germany were the best team at the World Cup. Paraguay's coach Gerardo Martino
Gerardo Martino
Gerardo Daniel Martino , nicknamed Tata, is an Argentine former football midfielder and current a manager.Martino played mostly for Newell's Old Boys in his native Rosario. He holds the record of appearances with the team playing a total of 505 matches in all official competitions...
stated he would be leaving his position at the end of his contract.
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Andrés Iniesta Andrés Iniesta Andrés Iniesta Luján is a Spanish football player. He currently plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona, and the Spanish national team.... (Spain) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Leonel Leal (Costa Rica) Carlos Pastrana (Honduras Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras The Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras is the official football organization in Honduras and is in charge of the Honduran national team. FENAFUTH was founded in 1951 and joined FIFA in the same year. Ten years later it joined CONCACAF.-External links:* at FIFA site*... ) Fourth official: Benito Archundia Benito Archundia Benito Armando Archundia Téllez is a retired Mexican football referee. He is known in Mexico as Armando Archundia, but appears as Benito Archundia in FIFA records. He has been a professional referee since 1985 and has had his FIFA referee permission since 1993... (Mexico) Fifth official: Héctor Vergara Héctor Vergara Héctor Vergara is a Canadian football referee. Although born in San Javier, Chile, Vergara grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He attended John Taylor Collegiate... (Canada Canadian Soccer Association The Canadian Soccer Association is the governing body of soccer in Canada. It is a national organization that oversees the Canadian men's and women's national teams for international play, as well as the respective junior sides... ) |
Uruguay vs Netherlands
UruguayUruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
played the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
in the first semi-final on 6 July 2010 at the Cape Town Stadium. The Netherlands won the match 3–2, thereby qualifying for the final for the first time since the 1978 World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
.
Uruguay adopted a defensive posture early in the match, but were only able to hold their opponents scoreless for 18 minutes, when Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Giovanni Christiaan van Bronckhorst OON , known as Gio in Spain, is a retired Dutch footballer of Moluccan descent who served as the captain of the Dutch national team from August 2008 until his retirement....
scored from 35 yards into the top corner of the goal. However, the Netherlands were unable to capitalise on their lead, as Diego Forlán
Diego Forlán
Diego Forlán Corazo is an Uruguayan footballer who plays as a striker for Internazionale and the Uruguayan national team. He is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe, and also received the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2010 World Cup.Forlán was born...
equalised in the 41st minute when his shot from 25 yards was misjudged by goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. The second half failed to produce many chances for either side, until the Netherlands scored two goals in quick succession to take a 3–1 lead. First, in the 70th minute, Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder is a Dutch footballer playing as an attacking midfielder for Internazionale. He was named UEFA midfielder of the season as well as one of the three best midfielders in the world for 2010 by FIFA....
scored when his shot ricochetted off a Uruguyan defender and the goalpost. Then, barely three minutes later, Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben is a Dutch footballer who plays for the German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Though often classified as a forward, he usually plays behind the forwards as a winger, and he is also known for his dribbling skills...
headed in a cross from Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt is a Dutch footballer who plays for English club Liverpool. He started his career as a striker, but he has been converted into a winger and plays the position for both Liverpool and the Netherlands national team....
. The Netherlands suffered a late scare when Maxi Pereira scored in stoppage time; however, the score remained 3–2 despite desperate Uruguayan attempts to equalise.
After the match, Uruguay's coach Óscar Tabárez
Oscar Tabárez
Óscar Wáshington Tabárez Silva, nicknamed El Maestro is a retired Uruguayan footballer who played as a defender, and the current manager of the Uruguayan national team....
spoke of his pride in his team for reaching the semi-finals. The Netherlands progressed to the final of the tournament to face Spain.
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Wesley Sneijder Wesley Sneijder Wesley Sneijder is a Dutch footballer playing as an attacking midfielder for Internazionale. He was named UEFA midfielder of the season as well as one of the three best midfielders in the world for 2010 by FIFA.... (Netherlands) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Rafael Ilyasov (Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Football Federation The Uzbekistan Football Federation is the governing body of football in Uzbekistan, controlling the Uzbek national team. It was founded in 1946, while Uzbekistan was still under Soviet rule, and has been a member of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation since 1994.The federation organizes the... ) Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic The Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic is the governing body of football in Kyrgyzstan . The organization controls the Kyrgyzstan national football team , Kyrgyzstan national futsal team and sponsors the top league of Kyrgyz football.... ) Fourth official: Yuichi Nishimura Yuichi Nishimura is a Japanese football referee who has been a full international referee for FIFA.He was the only Asian referee and one of three judges selected to judge in 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana along with assistant referees Toru Sagara from Japan and Jeong Hae-Sang from South Korea. He was also a... (Japan Japan Football Association The Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions.... ) Fifth official: Toru Sagara (Japan Japan Football Association The Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions.... ) |
----
Germany vs Spain
On 7 July 2010, SpainSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
defeated Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
1–0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
to progress to the World Cup Final
2010 FIFA World Cup Final
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 11 July 2010 at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, to determine the winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0 with a goal from Andrés Iniesta four minutes from the end of extra time...
against the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
. It was the first time that Spain had ever won through to the Final of the World Cup, while it was the second consecutive World Cup in which Germany had lost in the semi-finals.
Spain had the bulk of possession throughout the match, with Germany adopting a tight defensive structure. Germany created chances on the counter-attack, but Spain also went close to scoring on numerous occasions in the first and second halves. The match was deadlocked at 0–0 until the 73rd minute, when Spain was awarded a corner. The corner, taken by Xavi
Xavi
Xavier Hernández i Creus , commonly known as Xavi Hernández or simply Xavi , is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona, where he has spent his entire 14-year career....
, was met by Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol i Saforcada is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.Mainly a central defender, he can also play on either flank, especially as a right back...
, who headed the ball into the net to give Spain the lead. Thereafter, Spain protected its advantage and won the match.
After the match, Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque
Vicente Del Bosque
Vicente del Bosque González, 1st Marquis of Del Bosque is a former Spanish footballer He is currently the manager of the Spanish national football team. After taking over from Luis Aragonés who had led Spain to European success in Euro 2008, Del Bosque went on to manage the national team to the...
praised the "excellent performance" of his team, while Germany's coach Joachim Löw predicted that Spain would win the final.
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Xavi Xavi Xavier Hernández i Creus , commonly known as Xavi Hernández or simply Xavi , is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona, where he has spent his entire 14-year career.... (Spain) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Gábor Erős (Hungary Hungarian Football Federation The Hungarian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Hungary. It organizes the Hungarian league and the Hungarian national team. It is based in Budapest.György Szepesi was Chairman of the Hungarian Football Association from 1978 to 1986.... ) Tibor Vámos (Hungary Hungarian Football Federation The Hungarian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Hungary. It organizes the Hungarian league and the Hungarian national team. It is based in Budapest.György Szepesi was Chairman of the Hungarian Football Association from 1978 to 1986.... ) Fourth official: Frank de Bleeckere Frank De Bleeckere Frank De Bleeckere is a Belgian football referee. He has been a referee since 1984, and an international official since 1998... (Belgium) Fifth official: Peter Hermans (Belgium) |
Third place play-off
On 10 July 2010, at the Nelson Mandela Bay StadiumNelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a 48,000-seater stadium in Port Elizabeth.The five-tier, R2 billion Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was built overlooking the North End Lake, at the heart of the city. It is one of three coastal stadiums built in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It regularly hosts...
in Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Port Elizabeth is one of the largest cities in South Africa, situated in the Eastern Cape Province, east of Cape Town. The city, often shortened to PE and nicknamed "The Friendly City" or "The Windy City", stretches for 16 km along Algoa Bay, and is one of the major seaports in South Africa...
, Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
defeated Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
by 3–2 to claim third place at the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
for the second successive time after also finishing third at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
. Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller
Thomas Müller was a German Waffen-SS Colonel who commanded the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen, 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen and the 27. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division Langemarck during World War II...
capped a period of German dominance with a straightforward finish in the 19th minute after Fernando Muslera
Fernando Muslera
Néstor Fernando Muslera Micol is an Uruguayan footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Galatasaray and is first-choice keeper for the Uruguayan national team.-Uruguay:...
had spilled a long-range drive from Bastian Schweinsteiger
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Bastian Schweinsteiger is a German footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bayern Munich and the German national team. A right-footed player, he is capable of playing out wide or in a more central role....
. Uruguay forced their way back into the game after Luis Suárez
Luis Suárez (Uruguayan footballer)
Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz , commonly known as Luis Suárez and nicknamed "El Pistolero" , is a Uruguayan footballer who plays for Liverpool and the Uruguayan national team...
's pass put Edinson Cavani through on the left and he finished low into the far corner to put them on level terms after 28 minutes. Diego Forlán
Diego Forlán
Diego Forlán Corazo is an Uruguayan footballer who plays as a striker for Internazionale and the Uruguayan national team. He is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe, and also received the Golden Ball as the best player at the 2010 World Cup.Forlán was born...
then put them ahead in the second half with an acrobatic volley from the edge of the penalty box after 51 minutes. Marcell Jansen
Marcell Jansen
Marcell Jansen is a German footballer who plays as a left winger or left wingback for Hamburger SV and the German national team. He is well known for his accurate crossing and pace, despite his tall stature. Jansen has represented his country on 35 occasions so far, scoring three times showing up...
then scored on 56 minutes after Muslera came for Jérôme Boateng
Jérôme Boateng
Jérôme Agyenim Boateng is a German international footballer who currently plays for Bayern Munich. A versatile defender, Boateng primarily is a centre back, although he is a capable full back on either side....
's cross but missed it, allowing Jansen to head into an empty net. Sami Khedira
Sami Khedira
Sami Khedira is a German footballer currently playing for Real Madrid and the German national team. Khedira moved to Real Madrid from VfB Stuttgart in 2010...
headed home the winner in the 82nd minute after Uruguay failed to clear a Mesut Özil
Mesut Özil
Mesut Özil is a footballer who plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and for the German national team. Özil has been a youth national team member since 2006, and a member of the German national team since 2009. He gained international attention during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was nominated...
corner. Uruguay almost forced extra time when Forlán curled a 92nd-minute free-kick onto the bar, but Germany held on to win the match.
After the game, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez
Oscar Tabárez
Óscar Wáshington Tabárez Silva, nicknamed El Maestro is a retired Uruguayan footballer who played as a defender, and the current manager of the Uruguayan national team....
insisted that his side did not deserve to be on the losing side, "We achieved an equal game against a real power, we could have won because in the game [they] were not superior to us, "We're not that far away [from Germany's level], the route has been marked, we must learn from this".
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Thomas Müller Thomas Müller Thomas Müller was a German Waffen-SS Colonel who commanded the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen, 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen and the 27. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division Langemarck during World War II... (Germany) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Héctor Vergara (Canada Canadian Soccer Association The Canadian Soccer Association is the governing body of soccer in Canada. It is a national organization that oversees the Canadian men's and women's national teams for international play, as well as the respective junior sides... ) Marvin Cesar Torrentera Rivera (Mexico) Fourth official: Marco Rodríguez Marco Antonio Rodríguez Marco Antonio Rodríguez Moreno is a Mexican football referee. In his homeland, he is commonly nicknamed "Chiquidrácula" due to his resemblance to a Mexican TV character of child Count Dracula, portrayed by Carlos Espejel... (Mexico) Fifth official: José Luis Camargo (Mexico) |
Final
EWLINE
|
EWLINE
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man of the Match: Andrés Iniesta Andrés Iniesta Andrés Iniesta Luján is a Spanish football player. He currently plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona, and the Spanish national team.... (Spain) Assistant referees Assistant referee (association football) In association football, an assistant referee is one of several officials who assist the referee in controlling a match. Two officials, traditionally known as linesmen , stand on the touchlines, while a fourth official assists administrative or other match related tasks as directed by the referee... : Darren Cann (England The Football Association The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association... ) Mike Mullarkey (England The Football Association The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association... ) Fourth official: Yuichi Nishimura Yuichi Nishimura is a Japanese football referee who has been a full international referee for FIFA.He was the only Asian referee and one of three judges selected to judge in 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana along with assistant referees Toru Sagara from Japan and Jeong Hae-Sang from South Korea. He was also a... (Japan Japan Football Association The Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions.... ) Fifth official: Toru Sagara (Japan Japan Football Association The Japan Football Association, sometimes known as the Japan Soccer Association , is the governing body responsible for the administration of association football in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions.... ) |