2010

Host nation: South Africa Games: 64 Goals: 145 (2.27 per match) Dismissals: 17 Venues: 10 Winners: Spain Top scorers: Diego Forlan (right), Thomas Muller, Wesley Sneijder, David Villa (5 goals each)

Jabulani! Shakira! Time for Africa! With the world’s roundest ball roaming free, Nelson Mandela waving happily, and the toot of the vuvuzela soothing the nerves of all those in the stands, the debut World Cup in the continental cradle of humanity didn’t disappoint. It was anyone’s guess who would win, and several sides stepped up to the plate, including an adventurous Uruguay, gritty Dutch, and an extremely German Germany. Then there was Spain...

STAR FACTOR

Sure, there were a fair few big shots who only require a surname for recognition: Ronaldo, Suarez, Tevez, Robinho, Muller, Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Sneijder (and, of course, barmy boss Maradona, right). But the real star was a singular entity: a Spanish machine containing whirring cogs Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Iniesta, Xavi and Villa, among others.

WONDER GOALS

There was lots to enjoy in Maicon’s impossible angled effort for Brazil against North Korea and Luis Suarez’s curler against South Korea. But Netherands captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst topped all the ‘best of’ lists with a ridiculous bullet from 40 yards against Uruguay.

AGGRO

Er… see ‘The Final’. Elsewhere, France – already on the naughty step for Thierry Henry’s qualifying handball against the Republic of Ireland – imploded. Nicolas Anelka was sent home for questioning Raymond Domenech’s tactics, the squad going on strike as skipper Patrice Evra gave Domenech both barrels. Great Suarez save against Ghana, too...

THE THRILLERS

Slovakia 3-2 Italy was special, eliminating the World Cup holders from a group the Azzurri thought they’d win easily. Brazil 2-1 North Korea was manic fun, but the Dutch’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat of Brazil and 3-2 semi-final conquering of Uruguay were enthralling – and bought a lot of goodwill that evaporated in the endgame.

THE FINAL

Goalless after 90 minutes, the dirtiest World Cup final in history was enjoyable nonetheless. Howard Webb dished out 14 yellows (nine to the Dutch), John Heitinga saw red, and Nigel de Jong somehow stayed on the Soccer City turf despite pulling some Jackie Chan nonsense on Xabi Alonso. In the face of such wild provocation, Vicente del Bosque’s Spain stuck to their neat, measured game. Man of the match Andres Iniesta bagged a worthy winner.

LEGACY

Entirely positive. Passing football was nothing new, but 2010 was its ultimate international vindication. Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal against Germany (above) kicked off the VAR debate.