The 2010 World Cup held in Africa also had a first-time winner. After good campaigns but no actual title, Spain finally joined the select group of World Cup winners.
In 19 editions of the tournament, only eight teams have won the soccer tournament: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Italy, Germany, England, France, and Spain.
La Furia Were The 2010 World Cup Favorites
La Furia, as the Spanish national side is commonly referred to, became the first team to win the World Cup after losing the first match.
With a side made up of a mix of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid players, two of the world’s biggest teams, the Spanish arrived in South Africa as one of the 2010 World Cup favorites.
However, they were unexpectedly beaten by Switzerland in their first match.
After this result, many started doubting the Spanish, but La Furia sorted itself out. In the group stage, victories over Honduras and Chile booked their place in the knockout stage.
The Spanish Knockout Stages
In the 2010 World Cup round of 16, a formidable opponent: neighbor Portugal. The Iberian derby was rather balanced, but a David Villa goal sent the Spaniards into the quarter-final.
Paraguay and their rugged defensive system were their next opponents. And once again, David Villa was the hero, scoring a goal seven minutes from time.
In the semi-final, the Spanish faced the Germans. The 2010 World Cup tournament’s sensation team was the young German national side.
Watch Out For The Germans
With skillful players such as Mesut Özil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Thomas Müller, together with veterans Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose, the team managed by Joachim Löw showed impressive speed and skill and exhibited in South Africa.
Before facing Spain, Germany had beaten England 4-1 in the round of 16 and thrashed Argentina 4-0 in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final.
Nonetheless, the Spaniards were not intimidated. Again, they needed just one goal to get through. This time defender Carlos Puyol played the role of hero.
2010 World Cup Final
Spain was finally in a 2010 World Cup final for the first time in their history. Their opponents would be the Netherlands.
In other words, the first World Cup on African soil would also have a first-time winner, regardless of the result of the final match.
The Dutch also got to the final feeling confident, as they had eliminated Brazil in the quarter-final and surprising Uruguay in the semi-final.
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However, it was Spain’s turn. And after a goalless draw, the match went into extra time, and FC Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta scored the most crucial goal in the history of Spanish football.
The fans took over the streets in Spain, and the quick passing football, implemented by manager Vicente Del Bosque, inspired by Barcelona’s style of play, became a global reference.
The Resurrection Of Uruguay
Two-time World Cup winners in the first half of last Century, Uruguay had a hard time in the second half of the 20th Century and beginning of the 21st.
They became the third footballing power in South America, behind Brazil and Argentina. Sometimes, not even that.
However, their excellent campaign in the 2010 World Cup symbolizes how Uruguayan football has recovered. Led by Diego Forlan, Uruguay qualified in a group that had France, hosts South Africa, and Mexico.
Then, they beat South Korea and Ghana before losing to the Netherlands in the semi-final. Finishing fourth was Uruguay’s best result since the 1970 World Cup.
2010 World Cup Suprise Nation
Slovakia also proved to be a surprise. In their first World Cup as an independent country, they managed to qualify for the knockout stage by beating Italy in the last group stage match, eliminating the Italians from the World Cup.
However, in the 2010 World Cup round of 16, they ended up being eliminated by the Dutch.
Brazil’s 2010 World Cup Journey
After what was considered inappropriate preparation for the 2006 World Cup, which resulted in Brazil coming home empty-handed, Dunga was chosen as Brazil’s manager for the four-year cycle until the 2010 World Cup.
World Cup winner in 1994 and known for being a big lover of discipline, he had no coaching experience at the time but was able to bring home a series of positive results before going to South Africa.
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Under Dunga’s management, Brazil won the 2007 Copa America and the 2009 Confederations Cup.
The coach put together a group he trusted and ensured that Brazil arrived in South Africa as one of the favorites to win the tournament. Everything worked out until the second half of the 2010 World Cup quarter-final.
In the group stage, Brazil beat North Korea and the Ivory Coast and drew with Portugal. Then, after qualifying first in the group, they faced Chile in the round of 16. Result: an easy 3-0 win.
Fatal Second Half
In the quarter-final against the Netherlands, Brazil played an almost perfect first half and went into the break leading 1-0, after Robinho scored, assisted by Felipe Melo.
However, no one could have imagined what would happen in the second half. The Netherlands equalized in the 52nd minute.
Wesley Sneijder crossed the ball into the area, and the defense failed. Keeper Julio Cesar came out and found nothing, and making matters worse, Felipe Melo headed the ball into his own net.
Brazil lost their cool and seemed to be lost on the pitch. Suddenly underperforming, they saw the Dutch score again.
This time, Kuyt headed the ball after a corner, and Sneijder finished off the move by heading into the net. The situation worsened when Felipe Melo fouled Robben and stamped on him, getting himself sent off.
A rather unexpected end to Brazilian hopes of winning their sixth title as they were at the end of the road for their 2010 World Cup campaign.
Rhett is an Australian-born, globe trotter who is a UEFA ‘A’ Licence Soccer Coach. With his family, he has traveled and coached soccer in more than 30 countries, while attending World Cups, European Championships, and some of the biggest local derbies in the world!