Memorable Moments from FIFA World Cup 2010
It’s been four years since the last FIFA World Cup. Can you believe it? Four years failed to erase the memories of the previous World Cup from the minds of soccer fans from all over the world, let alone the hard core fanatics. Who can forget those days filled with nothing but soccer discussions, social media updates about what Paul the psychic octopus predicted and never ending commentary by both professionals and fans alike.
Now as the world waits with bated breath for FIFA 2014, we take a look back, remembering all the reasons we loved FIFA 2010 for, which had about 3.2 billion people worldwide watching every throw, kick and corner closely. That’s about 46.4% of the world’s population!
So without further ado, here are some of the memorable moments from FIFA World Cup 2010.
1. Iniesta’s Winning Goal!
Andres Iniesta’s winning goal may not be considered to be the most amazing, but look where it got Spain! He scored in the extra-time in the Final, on July 11, 2010, crowning Spain as the world champions.
2. Italy and France Hit Bottom?
Who knew France would be rolling around in the bottom of the barrel, and not even make it to the knockout stage. After Italy starting off as defending champions, no one expected them to underperform. But after their matches with New Zealand and Paraguay ending in draws and then getting beaten by Slovakia, they too were sent packing, to the collective dismay of their fans.
3. Ghana and Luis Suarez’s handball
One of the most critical moments of the entire tournament came into play during the quarter final game between Uruguay and Ghana. Everything was level at 1-1, and extra time was approaching. And Ghana almost took the lead in the last minute – had it not been for Luis Suarez’s handball, for which Suarez was sent off, Ghana failed to make use of the penalty. And this gave Uruguay a win after a penalty shootout.
4. Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)
The World Cup would have been a shade less fun if not for Shakira’s more than usually addictive World Cup anthem. “Waka Waka” was blaring on the radio, day and night, worldwide. The song featured South African band, Freshlyground and sold over four million copies worldwide. Its popularity made it the best and fastest selling World Cup song in this tech-decked age. The video was on repeat on so many screens, it was as if they were just there for everyone to see the quintessential Shakira moves.
5. Siphiwe Tshabalala’s winning goal
In the first game, South Africa took on Mexico and after some struggle, the host team’s Tshabalala shot in an incredible opening goal. He set the entire continent on fire and soon the South African team went on to defeat former world champions, France, too.
6. Paul the ‘Psychic’ Octopus
Although Paul took a one-way trip to Heaven about two months after crowning Spain as world champions, he is still remembered as a key element of the 2010 World Cup. Paul was given two boxes of food, each box having the flag of the finalists on it. And Paul chose the mussels in the Spanish box. And the rest, as they say, is history. Of course, everyone went nuts when Paul’s prediction came true on July 11, 2010.
These were the most memorable moments from FIFA World Cup 2010. Did we miss anything? Let us know.
Image courtesy:
- By Jeff Swicord [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Football.ua [CC-BY-SA-3.0, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
- By Ruaraidh Gillies (Flickr: Luis Suarez runs at Distin 2) [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
- By Octagon (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
- By Vaughan Leiberum (originally posted to Flickr as Azzurri Team) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons