World Cup 2010

Although the financial impact still has to be assessed, it is clear that the World Cup has been a tremendous success.

It has captured the imagination of football fans around the world, while bringing South Africans of all races together in a show of unity, passion and pride.

The World Cup has run smoothly, the stadiums have mostly been full, the Fan Fest Theme Park’s have been a tremendous success with fans turning up in their thousands to watch the matches on large screens, while South Africa has been a perfect host for World Cup visitors from around the world.

Germany advanced to the semifinals of the World Cup after crushing Argentina 4-0 in Cape Town on Saturday. Thomas Mueller put Germany ahead after only three minutes, while two second half goals by Miroslav Klose and one by Arne Friedrich completed their emphatic victory.

Germany stamped their authority on the game from the start as Mueller headed in a corner by Schweinsteiger after only three minutes.

Ghana crashed out on penalties against Uruguay in an unbelievably dramatic quarterfinal match at Johannesburg’s Soccer City on Friday night. Ghana spurned a great chance for victory when they won a penalty in the final minute of normal time, but Asamoah Gyan’s shot rattled off the crossbar.

In the ensuing penalty shootout, the advantage shifted to Uruguay when their keeper Fernando Muslera saved Ghanaian captain John Mensah’s shot, but Ghana immediately drew level when Maximilian Perreira’s shot went over the crossbar.

History will beckon when Ghana take on Uruguay in a quarterfinal match at Johannesburg’s Soccer City on Friday night.

By beating the United States in the Round of 16, Ghana joined Cameroon and Senegal as the only African country to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup. But no African team has gone further and a victory for Ghana against Uruguay will see them create history for the African continent.

A classic encounter can be expected when Brazil take on the Netherlands in the first of the World Cup quarterfinals in Port Elizabeth on Friday afternoon.

Brazil are currently the top ranked team in the world and the most successful nation at the World Cup, having won the title five times. The Dutch however, are currently on a record run of eight consecutive victories and an unbeaten streak of 23 matches, which has seen them move up to fourth in the world rankings.

A 63rd minute goal by David Villa booked Spain a place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup after a 1-0 victory against Portugal in Cape Town on Tuesday night. Andres Iniesta put Villa clear with a great throughball in the box and although Portugal keeper Eduardo blocked Villa’s first shot, he pounced onto the loose ball to hit the back of the net.

It was a deserved victory for Spain who had most of the possession and had the better chances.

Villa was a constant danger down the left wing, while Anders Iniesta and Xavi controlled the midfield with their probing passes.

Brazil turned on the style to beat Chile 3-0 in front of 54 000 fans at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park Stadium on Monday night.

Brazil took a while to break down Chile’s defence but when Juan headed in the opening goal on 34m, Chile’s resistance crumbled. Three minutes later Luis Fabiano made it 2-0, while Robinho completed the masterclass performance with a sumptuous strike on 59m.

Chile attacked from the start but Brazil’s defence held out and they took the lead when Juan rose high to steer home a Maicon corner with a thumping header.

Germany thrashed England 4-1 in Bloemfontein on Sunday to book a place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

Goals by Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and two by Thomas Mueller ensured Germany’s victory while Matt Upson pulled one back for England.

Asamoah Gyan became an instant hero for Ghana and the African continent when he fired in an extra time goal to give Ghana a 2-1 victory against the United States and book their place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

The teams were locked at 1-1 at the end of normal time following an early Ghana goal by Kevin Prince Boateng and a United States equaliser from the penalty spot by Landon Donovan on 62m.

Brazil and Portugal drew 0-0 in their final group match in Durban on Friday to both secure their passage through to the second round of the competition. The result saw Brazil finish at the top of Group G with 7 points followed by Portugal on 5 points.

The Ivory Coast managed to beat North Korea 3-0 in the other Group G match but they failed to progress to the next round after finishing a point behind Portugal.

The Brazil-Portugal encounter was a tight match of few chances and numerous fouls that saw the referee dish out seven yellow cards.