2010 FIFA World Cup: Iniesta puts Spain on top of the world

2010 FIFA World Cup: Champions of Europe and now champions of the world, Spain captured football's Holy Grail for the first time with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands thanks to Andres Iniesta's 116th-minute strike at Soccer City.

The solitary goal came with penalties looming as substitute Cesc Fabregas played in Andres Iniesta and the little midfielder drove emphatically across Maarten Stekelenburg and into the far corner. With this victory – their 4th successive single-goal win in South Africa – Spain became the eighth name on the FIFA World Cup Trophy and also the 1st European team to have triumphed on a different continent. For the Netherlands, who lost defender John Heitinga to a red card in extra time, there is only the heartache of another tale of what might have been after they completed a hat-trick of Final losses.

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Diego Forlan: A reward for Uruguayan football

2010 FIFA World Cup: If there was one thing lacking from Diego Forlan’s stellar performance here at the 2010 FIFA World Cup it was a piece of silverware, particularly after the deadly striker just missed out on clinching the adidas Golden Shoe for the competition’s top scorer. No matter, the inspirational Uruguayan No10 instead made off with the coveted adidas Golden Ball – awarded to the finest player at this year’s finals on South African soil.

Diego Forlan thus becomes the 4th South American to claim the prize, following in the footsteps of Argentina’s Diego Maradona (1986) and Brazilian duo Romario (1994) and Ronaldo (1998). Just minutes after learning of his award, the Atletico Madrid hitman spoke exclusively to FIFA.com.

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2010 FIFA World Cup: Awards

2010 FIFA World Cup: Match 64 - Final - 11 July

2010 FIFA World Cup: Match 63 - Match for third place - 10 July

2010 FIFA World Cup: A podium place is on offer as beaten semi-finalists Uruguay and Germany meet in Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth in the traditionally goal-laden 3rd-place play-off.

Match Statistics

2010 FIFA World Cup: Puyol Considers Retirement from International football

2010 FIFA World Cup: Spain qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup final on Wednesday after defeating Germany in the semi finals. Carles Puyol scored the only goal of the match for the European champions from a corner kick which was taken by his teammate Xavi, who plays as a central defender for his national team.

Known familiarly as the “caveman” because of his hairstyle, Carles Puyol is famous for his defensive qualities such as his heading capability and strong tackling skills. Puyol told the media that what is in front of Spain now in terms of football is beautiful and he stressed that any decisions regarding his international future can wait until the FIFA World Cup final has been played.

Carles Puyol will be looking to put in a strong performance against Holland as it can very well be the last international appearance for the 32 year old defender. It will also be Carles Puyol’s first ever appearance in the World cup final.

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2010 FIFA World Cup : How The Dutch Can Take Down Spain

2010 FIFA World Cup : Many teams, such as the United States in the Confederations Cup, and Switzerland in the group stages of the FIFA World Cup, have given the world a blueprint on how to beat Spain.

The Netherlands certainly have the right players and play with the right kind of formation to take down the mighty Spaniards.

It is significant that the Dutch don't get dragged into trying to out-possess La Furia Roja. Though they have very skilled players, the Dutch will open too many lanes across the field.

The Spanish are masterful at attacking after forcing a turnover. They have a master orchestrator running the midfield in Xavi, and David Villa up top is outstanding at finding the holes in a defense and has a knack for putting the ball on target.

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2010 FIFA World Cup : Puyol sends Spain into the Final

2010 FIFA World Cup : Spain have advanced to their first FIFA World Cup™ Final, Carles Puyol's 74th-minute header securing a deserved 1-0 victory over Germany in Durban.

2010 FIFA World Cup : Netherlands Vs. Uruguay

2010 FIFA World Cup: The Netherlands are through to the Final of South Africa 2010 after seeing off Uruguay 3-2 in an incident-packed semi-final at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium.

Match Statistics

2010 FIFA World Cup : FIFA World Cup power rankings -- semifinal edition

1. Germany -- Yowza. They have scored 4 goals in 3 different games already, including twice in the knockout round (vs. England and Argentina, no less). Have been in a class of their own and a treat to watch. I severely underrated them but not picking them to win Group D, however I guess they didn't run away with it in the 1st round. How they play as a team is incredible. They are always willing to make that final pass to set up a teammate. A true collective.

2. Netherlands -- The uber-productive midfielder Wesley Sneijder might be the World Cup MVP of the tournament until now, in my opinion. And now that Arjen Robben is healthy (when he stays on his feet), they definitely have a higher ceiling than before. The defense and goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg have definitely exceeded expectations. Can't let down vs. Uruguay after beating Brazil, can they?

3. Spain -- My pick to win it is still alive, which is more than some prognosticators can say. Sadly La Furia Roja hasn't looked hardly dominant. Fernando Torres is the scapegoat, but he does appear to have thrown things out of whack and fellow forward David Villa has made up for it and is another FIFA World Cup MVP nominee. Still have the pedigree to make a run, especially with that overwhelming Xavi and Iniesta combo in the middle.

4. Uruguay -- What a great run for the small country. Survived by the skin of their teeth in the quarterfinal vs. Ghana due to that infamous/notorious/genius/despicable intentional handball by Luis Suarez. Attack mate Diego Forlan -- who also could be a FIFA World Cup MVP -- has put the team on his back. They won't be intimidated of the Oranje, I don't think.

2010 FIFA World Cup : Match 62 - Semi-finals - 07 July Germany Vs. Spain

2010 FIFA World Cup : Match 61 - 6 July Semi-finals Uruguay Vs. Netherlands

2010 FIFA World Cup : Spain edge past resolute Paraguay

2010 FIFA World Cup : Spain set up a potentially thrilling semi-final meeting with Germany but the European champions had to do it the hard way, requiring a lone 2nd-half strike from David Villa to claim a 1-0 win over a resilient Paraguay 1-0 at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park. The goal saw David Villa take an outright lead in the race for the adidas Golden Boot with 5 goals but the match was as much a tale of 2 failed spot-kicks, one for each side.

Match statistics:

2010 FIFA World Cup :Rampant Germany oust Argentina

2010 FIFA World Cup: Germany are through to the semi-finals after producing another masterful performance to beat Argentina 4-0 at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium. Diego Maradona’s Albiceleste came into this match with high hopes of avenging their quarter-final defeat in 2006 but they ultimately had no answer to a slick, powerful German side who will now face either Spain or Paraguay in the last 4.

Match statistics:

2010 FIFA World Cup :Dutch fightback buries Brazil

2010 FIFA World Cup : The Netherlands came from behind to break Brazilian hearts and take a huge step towards a 3rd FIFA World Cup final appearance. Trailing at half-time to Robinho's early goal in Port Elizabeth, Bert van Marwijk's men drew level through Felipe Melo's own goal before Wesley Sneijder headed the winner with 22 minutes remaining. Brazil ended the game a man short after Felipe Melo's dismissal as, like in Germany 4 years ago, the South Americans, unbeaten since last October, saw their dream of a 6th world crown dismantled at the quarter-final stage.

For the Dutch, this was their 4th straight win at these finals and leaves them one victory short of a 1st Final appearance since they finished runners-up twice in the 1970s. They will travel to Tuesday's Cape Town semi-final vs. Uruguay or Ghana as favourites despite the suspensions of Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong. History will be on their side too, given the winners of their 3 previous FIFA World Cup meetings with Brazil marched on to the Final each time.

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2010 FIFA World Cup : Uruguay Vs. Ghana

2010 FIFA World Cup: With a place in the semi-finals at stake, 2 of South Africa 2010's dark horses will face off in Johannesburg today with a chance to keep the dream alive.

Here is the squad list.

2010 FIFA World Cup : Netherlands Vs. Brazil

2010 FIFA World Cup: Brazil and the Netherlands, both deploying a deadly brand of counter-attacking football, are set to go head-to-head in today's quarter-finals.

Here is the squad list for Netherlands and Brazil.

2010 FIFA World Cup : Elano And Melo Could Be Out!

2010 FIFA World Cup : “Of course I am sad, but I remain positive. I am hopeful that I will still be able to play” commented Brazil’s playmaking midfielder Elano following the news that he would miss Friday’s crunch quarterfinal match vs. Netherlands due to injury.

The midfielder is still battling an ankle injury he suffered vs. Ivory Coast in the group stages of the 210 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil’s team doctor, Jose Luis Runco, added further awful news for coach Dunga when he admitted Elano could miss the remainder of the tournament due to the injury.

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2010 FIFA World Cup : Spain FIFA World Cup 2010 Standings

2010 FIFA World Cup – Spain emerged as a strong team yesterday against Portugal. It was an exciting match at the Green Point Stadium and Portugals’ fans were dazed as Spain defeated them at a score of 1-0 to eliminate them in the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.

So let’s examine the status of Spain at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Excluding the win from Portugal, Spain had 2 wins and 1 lost in its first 3 football matches. Spain won against Honduras on June 21 at a score of 2-0. Spain, once again, won against Chile on June 25 at a score of 2-1. But, Spain lost to Switzerland last June 16 at a score of 0-1.

With the final match of Spain vs. Portugal, Spain advanced to the Quarter Finals Round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and will compete against Paraguay on July 3 at 8:30PM local time. Do you think Spain will get to the finals on July 11?

2010 FIFA World Cup : Top 8 teams to compete