Mandela appears at Soccer City before final AP – FIFA president Sepp Blatter, front left, greets Former South African President Nelson Mandela, second … By IAN PHILLIPS, Associated Press Writer Ian Phillips, Associated Press Writer – 17 mins ago JOHANNESBURG – Nelson Mandela waved to the crowd at Soccer City as South Africa bid farewell to the 2010 World Cup in emotional and joyous ceremony on Sunday. The 91-year-old anti-apartheid icon had kept a low profile during the monthlong tournament, deciding against attending the opener June 11 after the death of his great-grand daughter in a traffic accident following a World Cup concert. Driven in a small golf cart and seated alongside wife, Graca Machel, the smiling, warmly dressed Mandela was welcomed by a thunderous mix of vuvuzelas and roars from the crowd. He shook hands with officials before leaving the field a few minutes later. Earlier, Shakira performed "Waka Waka" ("This Time for Africa",) the competition's official song. Also performing was Grammy Award-winning cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The ceremony was attended by heads of state from across Africa, including South Africa's Jacob Zuma and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. Dutch and Spanish royals were also present, as were Archbishop Desmon Tutu and former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. They were rubbing shoulders with the likes of model Naomi Campbell, tennis star Rafael Nadal and Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman. Dancers wearing the colors of the 32 competing nations performed before a backdrop of pictures of stars and fans beamed onto the field. Performers dressed in white elephant costumes made their way onto the field toward a large image of a watering hole. Themes included pantsula and gumboot dancing and local jazz — all touchstones of South African music. Dutch and Spanish fans created a carnival atmosphere before the match, embracing police officers outside the stadium and posing for photographs while blowing vuvuzelas, the horn whose sound has become synonymous with the 2010 tournament. Some had doubted South Africa's ability to stage a successful tournament, but the matches were played before large, upbeat crowds.
Hey there, I just looking back at the start of this thread...it just confirmed how accurate you are! The trophy at stake. Shiny, isn't it?! Spain!
Fan reprimand! A fan is reprimanded for trying to put a hat on the World Cup, before being taken away by stewards
SPAIN HAVE WON THE WORLD CUP! Iker Casillas makes a crucial stop from a clean-through Arjen Robben Record breaker Howard Webb has now handed out eight yellows. Johnny Heitinga dives to head the ball. Vicente del Bosque looks ponderous on the touchline, but will the Spain boss be tempted to make any changes soon? Nigel de Jong plays The Karate Kid on Xabi Alonso. Unsurprisingly a booking followed. Dirk Kuyt and Sergio Ramos vie for the ball. Maarten Stekelenburg pulled off a smart save from a Sergio Ramos effort. A fan is reprimanded for trying to put a hat on the World Cup, before being taken away by stewards. The trophy at stake. Shiny, isn't it?! Spain fans in Madrid get a tad excited ahead of kick-off. Nelson Mandela delights spectators after appearing at Soccer City during the closing ceremony. Netherlands fans in Amsterdam prepare to watch the Oranje in action.
Iniesta sinks Dutch with late strike GettyImages Arjen Robben shows his frustration. Scoring Summary Netherlands Spain Andrés Iniesta (116') Match Stats Netherlands Spain 14(4) Shots (on Goal) 21(4) 28 Fouls 19 6 Corner Kicks 8 7 Offsides 6 37% Time of Possession 63% 7 Yellow Cards 5 1 Red Cards 0 3 Saves 4 Match Information Stadium: Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa Attendance: 84,490 Match Time: 18:30 GMT Official(s): Howard Webb In a game when a record number of yellow cards were given and John Heitinga was sent off in extra-time, both sides missed great chances from Arjen Robben and Cesc Fabregas, but Andres Iniesta netted in the 116th minute to give European champions Spain their first World Cup title. MATCH SUMMARY Man of the Match: Andres Iniesta. Once again Iniesta and Barcelona team-mate Xavi were imperious in the centre of midfield, bossing possession and helping Spain play the same patient game that has characterised their triumphant campaign. Possessing vision, craft, and guile in abundance, Iniesta produced a number of fine flicks and back-heels, while his winning goal was taken with aplomb. Netherlands verdict: After an unimpressive first period - in which four players were yellow carded - Bert van Marwijk's side came into the game more after the interval, trying to get the ball to Arjen Robben as much as possible. It almost worked to devastating effect on two occasions when Carles Puyol's pace was exposed, but Robben was twice thwarted by Iker Casillas. Were outclassed in extra-time and after losing their cool a third World Cup final defeat will be the bitterest pill to swallow. Spain verdict: Completely dominated possession but had few clear-cut chances to show for it, with a free header from Sergio Ramos and a David Villa strike that was deflected over the best opportunities in normal time. Demonstrated some excellent touches in midfield, with plenty of classy interchanges and never showed frustration when they couldn't break through. Defensively, they looked shaky when Puyol was dealing with long balls but after letting the Oranje back into the game in the second half, Spain upped their tempo in extra-time. The introduction of Fabregas injected some much-needed freshness into Vicente del Bosque's side and the winning goal was just reward for the team that unquestionably played the better football. Could do better: Robin van Persie. A terrible tournament for Van Persie was epitomised by an anonymous performance in the final. Nothing was working for the Arsenal frontman against Spain, and he never seemed to have the ball under control. An early booking meant he always looked reluctant to chase back and even when he was played through by Sneijder and called offside, he missed an open goal after the whistle had gone. Stat attack: The 14 yellow cards handed out in the match by referee Howard Webb is the record for most ever in a World Cup Final.
Spain lifted the 2010 FIFA World Cup: BCers are correct . Our BC Poll (10 for ESP : 7 for NED) for the 2010 FIFA World Cup shows that more BCers are correct than wrong. .
Mr. Webb's performance was good overall but he made a crucial mistake in not awarding a corner kick from Sneijde's free kick which subsequently led to Spain's goal.
ESP was more certain to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup . IMHO, after he had run out of patience (for so much rough play/tackles) and had given a RED card to NED, it could be said that ESP was more certain to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup. .
I'm not too sure... Maybe FIFA should not have picked a referee who had officiated the finalist in earlier rounds where it may compromise their ability to churn out fair decisions. On another note, since both finalist are from Europe, why can't they use officials from other continents? Eerrrr........perhaps the Malaysian referee....
Were there Malaysian officials represented in this 2010 FIFA World Cup? . Were there Malaysian officials represented in this 2010 FIFA World Cup? Please inform. .
I had a lot of fun yesterday and early this morning adding remarks to friend's Facebook thoughts of support for Espanyol, considering they don't play in the World Cup.
Forlan won FIFA's Golden Ball Uruguay striker honoured Forlan crowned player of tournament July 11, 2010 Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has won FIFA's Golden Ball award for the best player at the World Cup after finishing joint-top scorer at the tournament. The best of the World Cup Forlan scored five goals as he led his country's charge into the World Cup semi-final, where they were beaten by Netherlands. The Atletico Madrid striker netted two goals against South Africa and one apiece against Ghana, Netherlands and in the third place play-off against Germany. Forlan finished in a four-way tie with Thomas Muller, Wesley Sneijder and David Villa for the Golden Boot with five goals - an award Muller took on a tie-break thanks to having more assists. Forlan has attracted interest from a string of Europe's top clubs after helping Atletico Madrid to a Europa League triumph, and then Uruguay to fourth place at the World Cup. After Uruguay's tournament came to an end the 31-year-old said: "It's been the best year of my career." Spain's David Villa was second with Holland's Wesley Sneijder third. Germany's Muller also picked up the Best Young Player award, while Spain captain Iker Casillas can add the Golden Glove award to his World Cup winners' medal.
It is great for FIFA to recognise all these top players at this 2010 World Cup . It is great for FIFA to recognise all these top players at this 2010 World Cup. .
..i'm glad i missed the Final match (i heard there was a record number of yellow cards being flashed throughout the game??)..but thank goodness the final score was decided in extra time rather than through Penalty shootout.. ..just want to say sorry to demolidor and all the Dutch supporters..better luck next time..
Congrats to Spain, they played well, Villa, Iniesta and Puyol were great, and San Iker is still the best goalie on earth.... The Dutch played underpressure and did too many faults..
Exactly what I was thinking. Webb was a disgrace , had to make it up to Spain for the Switzerland game . As often said, good referees don't need cards to manage the game, the "thugging" didn't kill the flow, Webb's insistence on calling everything (orange get's noticed more ofcourse ) did. Yellow for red card offences (Bommel, didn't see this one live but karate kid VI de Jong. Then again I still haven't seen it in actual speed) and yellow for sneezing on your opponent causing hurricane strength airflow consequently flooring your opponent . Most of the fouls more often than not aren't even called but he wouldn't stand for being being outdone by the vuvuzela's. I though the neutral zone trap was working pretty well cutting out many passes resembling the way Holland breezed through the qualifying stage but hadn't worked as good so far at the world cup One post I just read on the bbc website: "I find it amusing that Hansen and co can go on about the Dutch kicking Spain out of the game, yet when it happens in the premier league to Arsenal, they say that it is part of the game and Arsenal are unable to deal with the physical aspect. Incredibly hypocritical" Anyhoo Webb and his whistle can prepare for the carnaval in 2014 already, passed with flying colours for Samba rhythm On a sidenote: I really thought Navas' shot had gone in (let me download a nice HD copy of the game later on today and watch it again only more objectively; thought I would be too pissed off to post here for at least 2 weeks but it only took one night )
