2010 FIFA World Cup Recap

The 2010 FIFA World Cup has come to a close, but not before providing the world with a plethora of incredible memories.  From Siphiwe Tshabalala's opening goal for South Africa on June 11th to Andres Iniesta's World Cup-winning goal for Spain on July 11th, this tournament had everything. Vuvuzelas, goal-line controversies, handballs, country pride, continent pride, team turmoil, a first-time champion, and a psychic octopus named Paul all made the experience in South Africa one we won't soon forget.  So now that the 2010 FIFA World Cup has ended, it's time to hand out some superlatives for the best and worst from the last month in South Africa.

Best Player: Diego Forlan, Uruguay:
The straw that stirred the drink for La Celeste all tournament.  When Uruguay struggled offensively in their opening match against France, he moved from the striker position to center forward and showed off his versatility.  Forlan scored five goals in the World Cup and scored them all in different fashions.  Whether it was a free kick, a penalty kick, or a blast from outside of the box, Forlan made his presence known in every match.  What separated Forlan from the other top players in the tournament is the fact that his play was more important to his team's success. 
Notables: Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands), David Villa (Spain), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)

Worst Player: Fernando Torres, Spain:
Yes, he came into this tournament coming off of an injury, but Fernando Torres was a liability on the pitch for the Spaniards.  He was given opportunities in the group stages to snap out of his funk and missed numerous chances to put the ball in the back of the net.  By the time the group stages rolled around, Torres was being subbed out earlier in matches than before and was eventually taken out of the starting lineup in the semifinals.  La Furia Roja was a better team when Torres was out of the lineup in this tournament.  Torres' tournament success can be summed up by his performance in the World Cup final where he came on in extra time and pulled a hamstring while making a run.  But hey, he got to hoist the World Cup trophy so it wasn't all bad.
Notables: Wayne Rooney (England), John Terry (England), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), France (France)

Best Goal: Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, Netherlands v. Uruguay:
ESPN broadcaster Ian Darke put it perfectly when he said that Giovanni Van Bronckhorst's 35-yard blast was "an absolute fire cracker".  Not only was it the best goal of the tournament, it happened in the World Cup semifinals. 
Notables: Diego Forlan (Uruguay) v. Germany, David Villa (Spain) v. Honduras, Carlos Tevez (Argentina) v. Mexico

Flubbed Goal: Yakubu Ayegbeni, Nigeria v. Korea Republic:
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was full of "what ifs" for Nigeria.  The biggest one was Yakubu Ayegbeni's miss from just a few yards out with nobody in front of him in the 66th minute against Korea Republic.  If he had made the shot, Nigeria would have advanced to the knockout stages and become tournament darlings along with Ghana. 
Notables: Arjen Robben (Netherlands) v. Spain

Best Starting XI:
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas, Spain
Full Back: Maicon, Brazil
Centre Back: Carlos Puyol, Spain
Centre Back: Diego Lugano, Uruguay
Full Back: Phillip Lahm, Germany
Left Wing: Andres Iniesta, Spain
Centre Midfield: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany
Centre Midfield: Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands
Right Wing: Thomas Muller, Germany
Striker: Diego Forlan, Uruguay
Striker: David Villa, Spain

Notables: Manuel Neuer (Germany), Lucio (Brazil), John Mensah (Ghana), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)

Worst Starting XI:
Goalkeeper: Robert Green, England
Full Back: Patrice Evra, France
Centre Back: Wayne Gallas, France
Centre Back: John Terry, England
Full Back: Eric Abidal, France
Left Wing: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Centre Midfield: Ricardo Clark, United States
Centre Midfield: Felipe Melo, Brazil
Right Wing: Franck Ribery, France
Striker: Wayne Rooney, England
Striker: Fernando Torres, Spain

Notables: Federico Marchetti (Italy), Jonas Gutierrez (Argentina), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Alberto Gilardino (Italy), Jozy Altidore (United States)

Biggest Surprise: Ghana
After Michael Essien's injury, not many people believed that Ghana could repeat their success from 2006.  But the Black Stars became Africa's Cinderella nation in the knockout stages.  Youngsters Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew, and Kevin-Prince Boateng played inspired football and captivated the continent of Africa.
Notables: Uruguay, Paraguay, Slovakia

Biggest Disappointment: France
Everyone knew that France was in a state of turmoil before the World Cup started, but nobody thought it was this bad.  Coach Raymond Domenech was a pathetic excuse for a coach and made matters worse after sending home striker Nicolas Anelka.  They refused to practice, performed miserably on the pitch, and disgraced their home country.
Notables: Italy, England, Portugal, Brazil

Most Unforgettable Moment: Uruguay v. Ghana
Africa was so close to reaching a state of total euphoria.  Striker Luis Suarez had just been sent off for a blatant hand ball that prevented Dominic Adiyiah from scoring the game-winning goal.  They had one shot to assure themselves a place in the semifinals and carry the hopes of a continent on their backs.  But an entire stadium of screaming fans in Johannesburg went dead silent as Asamoah Gyan's PK attempt rattled off the crossbar at the end of extra time sending Ghana's quarterfinal match against Uruguay into penalty kicks.  Cinderella's slipper officially shattered a few minutes later as Uruguay prevailed 4-2 in the penalty shootout leaving an entire continent in undeniable anguish.  There hasn't been such a crushing defeat in the World Cup to this point than the one the Ghanaians suffered on July 2nd.
Notables: Andres Iniesta goal v. Netherlands, Frank Lampard missed goal v. Germany, Landon Donovan goal v. Algeria, Siphiwe Tshbalala goal v. Mexico

Most Entertaining: Germany
With precision passing, excellent chemistry, and the best counter-attack in the world, Germany was a force to be reckoned with this summer.  The youth and flair brought on by Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, and Sami Khedira revamped this squad into an attacking dynamo that will be heard for years to come.  Although they fell short in the semifinals to Spain, their landslide victories over Argentina and England will not soon be forgotten.
Notables: Ghana, Argentina

The FIFA World Cup is nonstop drama and excitement and the 2010 version was no different.  There isn't an event like it in the world and South Africa brought new aspects to it that made it even more special.  So after this wild, roller coaster of a month, let me speak for the millions and billions who were captivated this summer and simply say, thank you South Africa.  Brazil 2014!