The Soccer World Cup, held in 2010, took place in South Africa. Interesting moment because it was the first time that the African continent hosted an edition of this tournament. In South Africa, nine cities hosted the matches, in ten different stadiums.
The participating teams, already classified in "keys", were:
| A group | Group B | Group C | Group D |
| Uruguay | Argentina | U.S | Germany |
| Mexico | South Korea | England | Ghana |
| South Africa | Greece | Slovenia | Australia |
| France | Nigeria | Algeria | Serbia |
| Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
| Netherlands | Paraguay | Brazil | Spain |
| Denmark | Slovakia | Portugal | Chile |
| Japan | New Zealand | Costa do Marfim | Switzerland |
| Cameroon | Italy | North Korea | Honduras |
The selections that went to the next stage were: Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, South Korea, States United, England, Germany, Ghana, Netherlands, Japan, Paraguay, Slovakia, Brazil, Portugal, Spain and Chile. A curious observation is that France, the traditional football team, did not reach the round of 16, a fact that caused a major crisis in the structure of French football. In any case, the matches that marked the round of 16 were:
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- Uruguay vs South Korea (Uruguay won 2-1);
- United States v Ghana (Ghana won 2-1 in overtime);
- Netherlands vs Slovakia (Netherlands won 2-1);
- Brazil x Chile (Brazil won 3x0);
- Argentina x Mexico (Argentina won 3x0);
- Germany x England (Germany won 4-1);
- Paraguay x Japan (0x0. Paraguay won on penalties 5x3);
- Spain x Portugal (Spain won by 1x0).
The quarterfinals were composed of the following matches:
- Uruguay x Ghana (1v1. Uruguay won on penalties by 4x2);
- Netherlands vs Brazil (Netherlands won 2-1);
- Argentina x Germany (Germany won by 4x0);
- Paraguay x Spain (Spain 1x0).
Semi-final stage:
- Uruguay x Netherlands (Holland won 3x2);
- Germany x Spain (Spain beat Germany 1x0).
The main game of the final, between Spain and the Netherlands, ended regular time with a score of 0-0, but Spain won 1-0 in overtime. The dispute for third place, between Uruguay and Germany, ended with a 3-2 victory for Germany.
The final results of this tournament were:
Best selection:
1st place: Spain;
2nd place: Netherlands;
3rd place: Germany.
Adidas Golden Ball:
1st place: Diego Forlan (Uruguay);
2nd place: Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands);
3rd place: David Villa (Spain).
Adidas Gold Boot:
Thomas Mueller (Germany).
Best Goalkeeper:
Iker Casillas (Spain).
FIFA Fairplay Award:
Spain.
Last Best in the Field:
Andres Iniesta (Spain).
Best young player:
Thomas Muller (Germany).
By Paula Rondinelli
Brazil School Collaborator
Graduated in Physical Education from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Master in Motricity Sciences from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
PhD student in Latin American Integration at the University of São Paulo - USP
world Cup - Soccer - sports - PE - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
RONDINELLI, Paula. "2010 World Cup"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/educacao-fisica/copa-mundo-2010.htm. Accessed on June 29, 2021.
