FIFA World Cup 2010 – South Africa
The 2010 FIFA World Cup, held in South Africa, was a historic event as the first to be hosted on the African continent. The tournament was defined by the relentless buzz of the vuvuzela, a new official match ball, and a football style that was more tactical and defensive. It culminated in a final that crowned a new champion, showcasing the beauty of possession-based football.
Group Stage
Group A
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Uruguay |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 7 |
 Mexico |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 |
 South Africa |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 4 |
 France |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 |
Match Results
- South Africa 1-1 Mexico
- Uruguay 0-0 France
- South Africa 0-3 Uruguay
- France 0-2 Mexico
- Mexico 0-1 Uruguay
- France 2-1 South Africa
The group stage began with a bang, as the hosts South Africa scored a fantastic opening goal against Mexico. However, they were eventually eliminated on goal difference. France’s campaign was a complete disaster, marked by player strikes and internal disputes, leading to their exit with only one point.
Group B
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 9 |
 South Korea |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
 Greece |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 3 |
 Nigeria |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
Match Results
- South Korea 2-0 Greece
- Argentina 1-0 Nigeria
- Argentina 4-1 South Korea
- Greece 2-1 Nigeria
- Nigeria 2-2 South Korea
- Greece 0-2 Argentina
Under the leadership of Diego Maradona, Argentina dominated their group, winning all three matches. South Korea’s win over Greece was crucial in helping them secure second place, making it the first time in their history they advanced to the knockout stages on foreign soil.
Group C
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 United States |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 5 |
 England |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 |
 Slovenia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
 Algeria |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 1 |
Match Results
- England 1-1 United States
- Algeria 0-1 Slovenia
- Slovenia 2-2 United States
- England 0-0 Algeria
- Slovenia 0-1 England
- United States 1-0 Algeria
The USA’s dramatic last-minute winner against Algeria, scored by Landon Donovan, was one of the most exciting moments of the group stage. This goal meant they topped the group ahead of England on goal difference, a surprising result given England’s higher profile.
Group D
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Germany |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 6 |
 Ghana |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
 Australia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 4 |
 Serbia |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
Match Results
- Serbia 0-1 Ghana
- Germany 4-0 Australia
- Germany 0-1 Serbia
- Ghana 1-1 Australia
- Australia 2-1 Serbia
- Ghana 0-1 Germany
Germany’s shocking loss to Serbia made the group wide open. Ghana’s performance was remarkable, and they became the only African team to qualify for the knockout stage, carrying the hopes of the entire continent.
Group E
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Netherlands |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 9 |
 Japan |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
 Denmark |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
 Cameroon |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
Match Results
- Netherlands 2-0 Denmark
- Japan 1-0 Cameroon
- Netherlands 1-0 Japan
- Cameroon 1-2 Denmark
- Denmark 1-3 Japan
- Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands
The Netherlands delivered a perfect group stage performance, winning all three matches. Japan’s solid defensive play and set-piece goals, including a stunning free-kick from Keisuke Honda, earned them a place in the knockout stage.
Group F
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Paraguay |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 5 |
 Slovakia |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 4 |
 New Zealand |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
 Italy |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 2 |
Match Results
- Paraguay 1-1 Italy
- New Zealand 1-1 Slovakia
- Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay
- Italy 1-1 New Zealand
- Slovakia 3-2 Italy
- Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand
This group saw the defending champions, Italy, shockingly eliminated in last place. Their loss to Slovakia in the final group match was a major upset. New Zealand, with three draws, became the only undefeated team in the tournament but were still eliminated.
Group G
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 |
 Portugal |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 5 |
 Ivory Coast |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
 North Korea |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | -11 | 0 |
Match Results
- Ivory Coast 0-0 Portugal
- Brazil 2-1 North Korea
- Brazil 3-1 Ivory Coast
- Portugal 7-0 North Korea
- Portugal 0-0 Brazil
- North Korea 0-3 Ivory Coast
The “Group of Death” was a bit of a let-down, with no real shocks. Brazil and Portugal comfortably qualified. Portugal’s 7-0 demolition of North Korea was one of the tournament’s most one-sided matches. Ivory Coast put up a fight but were ultimately eliminated.
Group H
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Spain |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
 Chile |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 |
 Switzerland |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
 Honduras |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 1 |
Match Results
- Honduras 0-1 Chile
- Spain 0-1 Switzerland
- Chile 1-0 Switzerland
- Spain 2-0 Honduras
- Chile 1-2 Spain
- Switzerland 0-0 Honduras
Spain’s opening match loss to Switzerland was a monumental shock. However, they recovered to win their next two matches and top the group, while Chile also progressed. Switzerland’s campaign ended with a goalless draw, a result that eliminated them.
Knockout Stage
Round of 16
▸
Uruguay 2-1 South Korea
United States 1-2 Ghana (after extra time)
Germany 4-1 England
Argentina 3-1 Mexico
Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia
Brazil 3-0 Chile
Paraguay 0-0 Japan (Paraguay wins 5-3 on penalties)
Spain 1-0 Portugal
The Round of 16 was marked by controversial refereeing. In the Germany vs. England match, Frank Lampard had a perfectly good goal disallowed, a decision that would later lead to the introduction of goal-line technology. Argentina’s first goal against Mexico was also a clear offside. Ghana’s dramatic win over the USA in extra time made them the first African team to reach the quarterfinals since 1990.
Quarter-finals
▸
Netherlands 2-1 Brazil
Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (Uruguay wins 4-2 on penalties)
Argentina 0-4 Germany
Paraguay 0-1 Spain
The quarterfinals provided some of the most dramatic moments of the tournament. The Netherlands’ comeback win over Brazil was a major upset. Uruguay’s match against Ghana was filled with high drama, culminating in Luis Suárez’s infamous handball on the goal line in the final minute of extra time, saving his team from defeat and resulting in a missed penalty from Ghana. Germany’s dominant 4-0 win over Argentina was a tactical masterclass, while Spain’s narrow victory over Paraguay showcased their ability to grind out a result.
Semi-finals
▸
Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands
Germany 0-1 Spain
The semi-finals were two high-quality affairs. The Netherlands and Uruguay played out an exciting, open match, with the Dutch prevailing to reach their third World Cup final. Spain’s victory over Germany was a masterclass in possession-based football, with Carles Puyol’s powerful header sending the European champions to their first-ever final.
Third Place Play-off
▸
Match: Uruguay vs. Germany
Result: Uruguay 2-3 Germany
Germany secured third place in an entertaining match. Both teams played with freedom and attacking intent, providing a fitting end to their campaigns.
Final
▸
Match: Netherlands vs. Spain
Result: Netherlands 0-1 Spain (after extra time)
The final was a tense, physical encounter between two teams with a fierce rivalry. The match saw a World Cup final record of 14 yellow cards. The breakthrough came in the 116th minute when Andrés Iniesta scored the winning goal for Spain, securing their first-ever World Cup title. The win marked the culmination of a four-year period of dominance for the Spanish team, who had also won the European Championship in 2008.