Highs and lows of the 2010 World Cup

Previous Next

The Swiss team had a dream start to the tournament. They stunned Spain - European champions and a top favourite for the World Cup trophy - with 1-0 victory in Durban on June 16. Keystone

The French squad made big headlines off the pitch too. Nicolas Anelka was kicked out of the team following a profanity-laced tirade against coach Raymond Domenech. Then in protest his teammates refused to train. This was too much for director Jean-Louis Valentin who quit his post on the spot and walked off. Keystone

A bitter pill to swallow for defending champions Italy. They finished last in their group and were sent packing. Keystone

Portugal with Cristiano Ronaldo were responsible for the highest score in any match. They flattened North Korea in a 7-0 win in Cape Town on June 21. Ivory Coast supporters remind the Koreans of the ignomîny ahead of their own match against the team. Keystone

Midfielder Valon Behrami was the first Swiss player to be sent off in a World Cup match after appearing to elbow Chilean player Arturo Vidal. With one man down Switzerland lost 1-0. Keystone

The final whistle for the Swiss squad but supporters continued to celebrate. A disappointing 0-0 draw against underdogs Honduras dashed Swiss hopes of qualifying for the last 16. Keystone

Late revenge for the controversial Wembley Goal of 1966 when England beat Germany to win the World Cup. In Bloemfontein on June 27 Frank Lampard's shot bounced off the crossbar behind the goal line. But the apparent equalizer was disallowed. England lost 4-1 to Germany in the last 16. Keystone

The deafening sound of the vuvuzelas, the omipresent plastic horns, divided opinion. It took technicians several days before they were able to filter out the sound and stop it drowning out the television broadcasts. Keystone

Ghana was the third African team ever to reach the World Cup quarterfinal round. They were about to qualify for the semifinal when Uruguay striker Luis Suarez intentionally handled the ball on the line in the last minute of extra-time and denied Ghana the decisive goal. The resulting penalty was missed and Urugay went on to win 4-2 in the shootout. Keystone

South African President Jacob Zuma (right) speaks as Fifa President Joseph Blatter looks on during the opening of the Football for Hope Festival at Alexandra township in Johannesburg. More than 30 teams of young people from disadvantaged communities around the world came together for a festival of education and culture between July 4-10. Keystone

Five-time world champions Brazil, one of the big favourites of the tournament, are eliminated in the quarterfinal match against a strong team from the Netherlands 2-1. Brazil's Juan (right) shows his dejection as Dutch players André Ooijer and Wesley Sneijder celebrate. Keystone

Argentina, another hot favourite, in the quarterfinals come up against a superb Germany who beat them 4-0. Coach Diego Maradona's squad had won all their previous matches of the tournament. Keystone

Dutch striker Arjen Robben thanks fans after his team's semifinal 3-2 victory against Uruguay in Cape Town on July 6. Keystone

German soccer fans show their dejection after watching the 2010 World Cup semifinal match between Germany and Spain during a public viewing in Berlin. The Spaniards won 1-0. Keystone

Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) and Lukas Podolski (right) celebrate Germany's 3-2 victory over Uruguay in the match for third place at the World Cup in Port Elizabeth on July 10. Keystone

Dutch player Wesley Sneijder lies on the ground during the World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain at the Soccer City stadium outside Johannesburg. Spain won 1-0 after extra time. Keystone

Spain team members celebrate with the World Cup trophy after their 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final on July 11. Keystone

• Picture 1
• Picture 2
• Picture 3
• Picture 4
• Picture 5
• Picture 6
• Picture 7
• Picture 8
• Picture 9
• Picture 10
• Picture 11
• Picture 12
• Picture 13
• Picture 14
• Picture 15
• Picture 16
• Picture 17

Some of the most memorable moments of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

For the Swiss team the World Cup was a roller coaster ride. A win over top favourites Spain at the very beginning, soon to be followed by an inglorious exit. But other teams also had their highs and lows.