World Cup 2010

More than 6 million fans came together at the official FIFA Fan Fests, organised by FIFA together with the South African Host Cities and six international cities - with the Final Match having proved to be an outstanding highlight in all South African cities, with a total of 290,000 at the 10 FIFA Fan Fests.

The president of FIFA Sepp Blatter paid homage to Nelson Mandela at the final press conference of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Sandton, Johannesburg on Monday.

“Through this man we opened the door to South Africa to re enter FIFA. Since my first contacts that I had with this man I could see that he had a dream. He had a dream at that time that once he would like to have the World Cup in his home country,” he said.

Spain pipped Holland to clinch the World Cup with a goal on 116 minutes by midfielder Andres Iniesta.

With the match only four minutes away from a penalty shootout, substitute striker Fernando Torres sent in a cross from the left to Cesc Fabregas, who found Iniesta unmarked at the far post to stab the ball into the net.

With the victory Spain reasserted their dominance in world football after they also won the European Cup in 2008.

In a match characterised by tight defending, Holland also had their fair share of chances to break the deadlock during normal time.

Germany won the third place playoff after beating Uruguay 3-2 in a fast flowing and entertaining match in Port Elizabeth on Saturday evening.

Germany took the lead through their young midfielder Thomas Mueller on 19m, but Uruguay soon equalised through Edinson Cavani.

Diego Forlan gave Uruguay the lead for the first time early in the second half, but Germany came back to equalise through Marcel Jansen before Sami Khedira scored the winner with eight minutes to go.

It was the second successive time that Germany finished third after they beat Portugal 3-1 in 2006.

The FIFA World Cup finally reaches its end on Sunday when Spain take on Holland in the final at Soccer City in Soweto.

Holland have maintained a 100 per cent record at the World Cup, winning all six their matches to date, but they were not too impressive in the early rounds.

They were rather fortunate to beat Denmark 2-0 after an own goal swung the match in their favour, while they were not too convincing in beating Japan (1-0) and Cameroon (2-1).

The Closing Ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is set to be a colourful, celebratory tribute to the tournament, the fans and their experiences in the host country during what’s been a memorable month.

The 30-minute night-time ceremony will take place at 18h30 on Sunday, 11 July 2010, at Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium - ahead of the showpiece 2010 FIFA World Cup final - and will feature some spectacular performances and unique special effects.

Spain reached their first ever World Cup final with a 1-0 victory against Germany in Durban on Wednesday night. Carles Puyol scored the winner on 73m with a great header from a corner that rocketed into the net, giving German keeper Manuel Neuer no chance.

Germany started as the favourites after their 4-0 thrashing of Argentina on Saturday, but they hardly made an impression against the slick Spaniards.

Star striker Fernando Torres was left out of the starting line-up and replaced by the young Pedro, who made some strong attacks in the early stages.

The Netherlands qualified for the World Cup final after beating Uruguay 3-2 in Cape Town on Tuesday evening.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst put the Dutch ahead with a great strike on 18m, but Uruguay striker Diego Forlan equalised with an even better shot just before halftime.

The Dutch however picked up the tempo in the second half and two goals within three minutes by Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben settled the issue.

Uruguay did pull a goal back through Maximiliano Pereira in injury time but by then it was too late for a comeback and Holland held on for the victory.

A great match can be expected when Germany and Spain face each other in the semifinals of the World Cup in Durban on Wednesday evening.

In historical terms, Germany hold the edge over Spain with eight victories compared to six, while six matches ended in draws. Germany also have a much better World Cup record and won two of three World Cup encounters against Spain.

Their first encounter at the World Cup came in 1966 when Germany won 2-1, while Germany won by the same score in 1982. Interestingly, Germany was the losing finalist at both these World Cups.

The Netherlands will start as clear favourites against Uruguay in the first World Cup semifinal that takes place in Cape Town on Tuesday evening.

Since the Dutch beat pre-tournament favourites Brazil in the quarterfinals of the World Cup they have emerged as definite title contenders and their recent form underlines this fact.