2010 FIFA World Cup

The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010. The bidding process for hosting the tournament finals was open only to African nations. In 2004, the international football federation, FIFA, selected South Africa over Egypt and Morocco to become the first African nation to host the finals.

In the final, Spain, the European champions, defeated third-time losing finalists the Netherlands 1–0 after extra time to win their first world title. Spain became the eighth nation to win the tournament and the first European nation to win a World Cup hosted outside its home continent: all previous World Cups held outside Europe had been won by South American nations.

Quotes

 * Now, then. Landon Donovan for the United States. Twisting, turning. Can he find the right ball? Cesar hit it away; it's played back in by Bocanegra. Oh, and nearly Altidore getting under of it. A really good clearance by Jokić; just when it looked as if Jozy Altidore might be in. They really have to put Slovenia under pressure. If they can get one goal, I think, John. You just wonder, whether then Slovenia might start to look a little bit shaky and start to wonder. He's got in, behind. Donovan, Donovan goes alone and scores! Oh, what a goal! Landon Donovan, tremendous strike for the United States! It looked impossible, but Donovan did it! And the USA are back in business!
 * Ian Darke, Slovenia v. United States (18 June 2010)


 * Certainly rolling the dice now. Bob Bradley as he had to, really. Here's his son, Michael Bradley. Decent effort. Donovan, the man whose goal has given the United States at least hope. Altidore to lay it down, Bradley! Bradley, has done it! USA are level! The comeback kings, strike again! Michael Bradley, for the USA! What a moment! "Thank you son", says Bob Bradley. And I think the whole of the United States of America, says "thank you" too to Michael Bradley.
 * Ian Darke, Slovenia v. United States (18 June 2010)


 * I don't know what everybody back home is like watching this, but I'm very tense. I'll tell you that.
 * Ian Darke, United States v. Algeria (23 June 2010)


 * Oh, talk about lightning striking twice. Another goal scrubbed out for the United States.
 * Ian Darke, United States v. Algeria (23 June 2010)


 * Clint Dempsey off the post and again, and he's missed the rebound! Absolute agony for the USA!
 * Ian Darke, United States v. Algeria (23 June 2010)


 * It just takes one moment to make the difference here for the USA of staying in this competition or leaving it.
 * Ian Darke, United States v. Algeria (23 June 2010)


 * Will the goal never come?
 * Ian Darke, United States v. Algeria (23 June 2010)


 * Four minutes of added time. That might lift the United States, that's time enough. Dreadfully negative, really. From the Algerians, they're looking for things on the break. I suspect they'll get a chance or two, on the break. Ghezzal, that's a good ball he's found there to Guedioura who plays it deep. Saïfi, with a header. Howard, gratefully claims it. Distribution, brilliant. Landon Donovan. Oh, are things on here for the USA? Can they do it here? Cross, and Dempsey is denied again, and Donovan has scored! Oh, can you believe this? Go, go, USA! Certainly through! Oh, it's incredible! You could not write a script like this!
 * Ian Darke, United States v. Algeria (23 June 2010)


 * Played in, and it comes out into Landon Donovan, who strikes again. What a golden goal for the USA, if you're just joining us? There it is, the moment. Deep, deep into the match! To give the USA surely, a place in the last sixteen. It is breathtakingly exciting!
 * Ian Darke, United States v. Algeria (23 June 2010)


 * It is over! The USA have made it, in a Hollywood-style finish!
 * Ian Darke, United States v. Algeria (23 June 2010)


 * Now, van Bronckhorst with pace! Oh, it is an absolute firecracker from Giovanni van Bronckhorst! One, nil! Holland!
 * Ian Darke, Uruguay v. Netherlands (6 July 2010)


 * It's a really good ball, it's Tshabalala! Goal, Bafana Bafana! Goal for South Africa, goal for all Africa! Jabulela, rejoice! Bafana Bafana have popped the first cork of their day of days! Siph Tshabalala!
 * Peter Drury, South Africa v. Mexico (2010), SkysportHD


 * You couldn't look away. Not even for a second. You were locked in, panicked. Scared stiff. Agony and angst at levels you never knew you had. It was near physical pain. But, in a blink? It was truly agony, to ecstasy.
 * Michael Imperioli, United States v. Ghana (2010)

You're on the front line Everyone's watching You know it's serious we're getting closer, this isn't over
 * Pick yourself up and dust yourself off and back in the saddle
 * Shakira, "Waka Waka" (2010)


 * For us, it's been about a common goal. Not an automatic pass for a pack of superstars, and while our team is the U.S.? Today, you can call them "us". Because they've truly taken America along for the ride.
 * Martin Sheen, United States v. Slovenia (2010)


 * Oh! What an error! What an awful moment for Rob Green and for England!
 * Clive Tyldesley, United States v. England (June 2010)


 * Oh, and Rob Green's let it in! It's a howler!
 * Martin Tyler, United States v. England (June 2010)