In a moment that goes far beyond sport and more of culture identity of a young country, as FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced from there offices in Zurich that Russia has won the bidding to host to 2018 World Cup, the wheels were set in motion to showcase the country to the world.

In defeating joint efforts from Spain-Portugal, Belgium-Netherlands as well as England, the Russian delegation firmly established a youthful country, steeped with a vibrant culture and heritage, present-day technological growth but equally one, as noted by Prime Minister Putin, a chance to wash away some very dated stereotypes of the past.

While Mr. Blatter noted the Football is a more than a game and an opportunity to educate and unite the world, as the Russian effort comes to volition in 2018 it will present what the country is today, its grand possibilities of the future and eliminate the world’s impression of a bygone era that are no longer applicable.

The financial cost will be substantial but equally it will provide Russia a massive boost to infrastructure that will further create long-term positive economic implications for country, beyond simple calculation. Along with commitment by the government to construct new stadiums or significantly upgrade existing ones, the Russian sport system will see sixteen new state-of-the-are facilities for another generation “ready to inspire”, thus creating a cycle of success. The Russian presentation further emphasized the development of high-speed rail lines to travel from the thirteen competition sites, free for ticket holders but the building of hotels on par with the worlds finest and an open-door travel policy that will eliminate the need for travel visas for ticket holders. Undoubtedly their will be cost overruns but equally so no expense will be spared in what will become a launching point for Russia as a destination for tourism and global business operations, money well spent.

In providing the full guarantees to the World Cup, the Russian government has not only secured the sports jewel but echoed the now, well-heard motto of being “ready to inspire” as it is investing in the future of the country in a pride-filled moment.

Prepared by John Davies
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After seemingly an endless wait, Spain’s unyielding love for the “beautiful game” was quenched as the La Furia Roja claimed the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands at Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium. The victory, the Spaniards first world championship, comes on the heels of the 2008 Euro title, making them the first nation to do so since West Germany in 1974 and further solidifies their superiority in the game with their flowing, elegant style.

Vicente del Bosque’s tactical plan, a perfect marriage of honourable iron-clad defending with a delicate passing game that will be hailed for decades to come, embraced its heritage and weaved its magic through the tournament with unique mix of humility, confidence, whilst always playing as unit. After their opening match stumble to the Swiss, with many fearful they would not advance past the group stage, Spain hunkered down and without panic, worked its way through the competition with aplomb.

Continuing where the Luis Aragonés-era left off with the 2008 Euro championship, Vicente del Bosque took the match with their customary styling. Though the Netherlands, who boasted an unbeaten run of fourteen matches, tried to unnerve the Spaniards with the hardest of challenges that resulted in seven yellow-cards and twenty-eight fouls, they failed to break through the goal of Iker Casillas or the spirit of La Furia Roja.

From the opening-whistle, Vicente del Bosque’s men showed their panache as five minutes into the affair Dutch ‘keeper Maarten Stekelenburg stretched out fully to stop a Sergio Ramos header from Xavi’s free-kick in from the right. The Real Madrid man, Sergio Ramos, continued to flourish as five minutes later his effort was pushed to safety by John Heitinga. Still pressuring, moments later the 84,000 hushed as David Villa’s volley of Xabi Alonso’s provision flew into the side netting as Spain showed today was their day. The Dutch side’s response was a curious over physical play with a number of challenges forcing match day referee Howard Webb into tough decisions. The adjudicator, no stranger to controversy in the past, did well not to take the match in his own hand’s as a number of challenges in a lesser stage would have likely seen an immediate expulsion. For much of the remaining time through the break, chances were sparse but just as added-time commenced, Iker Casillas foiled Arjen Robben, a result that would echo later in the match.

After the break, play began to open up with the Spaniard tactician summoning Sevilla’s Jesús Navas in for Pedro at the hour. Moments later the Oranje squandered a gifted chance as from just his side of the circle Wesley Sneijder sent a perfect long ball for Arjen Robben, who broke clear in on Iker Casillas, only to see his left-footed effort blocked by the trailing leg of the ‘keeper. Eight minutes later the new arrival nearly had a hand on breaking the deadlock as his cross fell to David Villa but the Barcelona sniper saw his effort blocked at the last instant. At the seventy-first minute, Dutch manager Bert van Marwijk injected fresh legs with Eljero Elia coming in for Dirk Kuyt but the impact was modest. For Bayern München’s Arjen Robben his frustration began to boil as after getting past Carles Puyol, the Spanish ‘keeper further solidified why he is considered by many as the best in the game today with a high pressure stop. Three minutes shy of regulation time, Vicente del Bosque called in Cesc Fàbregas for Xabi Alonso, with Spain finding a second wind in extra-time.

Spain started smartly in extra-time with a series of threatening efforts that kept the football world on the edge of their seats. A close range chance by striker extraordinaire David Villa deflected wide before Cesc Fàbregas saw his effort stopped by Dutch ‘keeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Sixteen minutes into extra-time, Fernando Torres came in for David Villa and four minutes later, John Heitinga was sent off with his second yellow-card for clawing back on Andrés Iniesta, forcing the Netherlands to play with ten men. Though the twenty-six year-old Barcelona man was frustrated with the transgression, with four minutes remaining he forever linked his name as a legend in Spain as Cesc Fàbregas and Fernando Torres linked up to provide him the ball before he triumphantly drove it through the mitts of Maarten Stekelenburg and into the far corner for the winning margin. In remaining time, the Dutch fought for the need leveller but with an all-out display of demand Spanish hearts filled with the victory.

As Spain was crowned Campeones del mundo and the streets of Madrid, Barcelona and all across the beautiful country erupted in celebration, so too did fans who appreciate the purity of the beautiful game. España, that has given the world so much with its rich culture and arts, succeeded on the sports highest stage, not because of the work of individuals but a united effort within a graceful, flowing style. This will forever be the Spain’s victory but it will equally stand guard for those who appreciate and understand the beauty of the beautiful game.

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Germany soothed their disappointment of losing to Spain in the semi-finals with exciting 3-2 victory over noble Uruguay in Port Elizabeth to claim third place in the 2010 World Cup.

For Die Nationalmannschaft the result is brilliant mark in manager Joachim Löw’s career as few expected his youthful side, in which many will hit their prime in 2018, to be able to press this deep into the tournament. Bayern München’s young virtuoso Thomas Müller pounded his name into granite as the heir apparent in Germany line of great strikers yet despite the awards and final tally; few will forget the play of Diego Forlán. A dyed in the wool legacy footballer with his father Pedro representing La Celeste in two World Cups, the Atlético Madrid striker capped of his stunning season in La Liga in the sports highest stage with aplomb. With every touch, including his last gasp strike against the Germans that rasped off the crossbar, he established himself as one of the most gifted strikers in football today.

Joachim Löw adjusted his line-up, with much of his troubled with the flu, calling in thirty-six year-old Hans-Jörg Butt between the woodwork, Cacau coming at striker and Marcell Jansen and Dennis Aogo in the back-line, along with Thomas Müller returning from suspension. Óscar Tabárez was pleased to welcome back Jorge Fucile and Luis Suárez, both suspended against the Dutch and Diego Lugano from injury.

After an engaging opening that saw Arne Friedrich rasp the crossbar with a header from a Mesut Özil corner, Germany took the lead as Thomas Müller latched onto a rebound from Bastian Schweinsteiger’s effort and showed his predatory skills but pounding the ball into the net. Uruguay came pouring back in the hunt for the leveller and a minute shy of the half-hour Diego Perez initiated a quick counter, provided the ball to Luis Suárez. With Diego Forlán making a crucial overlapping run, space opened up for Edinson Cavani on the left channel and make a quick touch of Luis Suárez’s before sending the ball past Hans-Jörg Butt.

Six minutes after the restart, Diego Forlán gave Uruguay the 2-1 lead in a textbook volley and he sent Egidio Arévalo’s cross from the right downward and into the net with power. Pacing on the contest continued at a fast pace and five minutes later Marcell Jansen nodded in Jérôme Boateng’s cross. With credit owing to both sides, the match was a wide-open affair as both sides looked to ending it before extra time. After chances at both ends came up empty, Sami Khedira lodged the winner as a corner from the right was not cleared properly and after rattling off Arne Friedrich and Diego Lugano, the VfB Stuttgart man headed the ball into the net. Still there was time for another effort and as we have come to expect, the Uruguayan’s play to the final whistle with purpose. As time ticked down and with a free kick awarded after hard challenge just outside the area, the stage was set for Diego Forlán. With the rain soaked pitch as the backdrop, the thirty-one striker who many feel has been the most valuable player of the tournament stood before the ball. With a mighty effort, he sent his drive over the wall, dipping before rasping off the crossbar and safety, sealing the result for Germany. For Germany their second consecutive third place finish, a remarkable achievement and the Uruguayan’s take a step closer to restoring their rich history in the game.

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After a series of scintillating victories, that included England and Argentina as their victims, Joachim Löw’s Germany fell 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup semi-finals in Durban. The result now sets-up a historic meeting of the Netherlands and Spain in the finals in Johannesburg on 11 July.

Die Nationalmannschaft came into the contest defying all expectations, playing with a bold, brash style, fuelled by a youthful line-up. However, without young gun Thomas Müller in the line-up, Germany turned aside their recent attacking prowess and instead spent much of the evening absorbing pressure of Spain’s passing symphony. Though their is little debate that the Spaniard’s deserved the win and the one-goal margin was not demonstrative of their total domination, Germany will be left in a sea of regret wondering why they made such an abrupt tactical change after so much success.

Displaying a total confidence, Vicente del Bosque’s side started with its near customary patient passing assault. Linking together elegant one-touch passes with endless movement and tactical superiority, La Furia Roja pressed forward with ultra striker David Villa as the lone-up man up top. The heavily laden Barcelona line-up, played in perfect syncopation, drifting through a easy practice grounds passing carousel exhibition, as Germany dug their heels in. Though Spain did not show a moment of self-doubt, the inability to exact any damage in the opening forty-five minutes left you wondering if tactical changes were coming after the break.

Following the re-start, the run of play continued on the same course, with Spain turning up the heat and Germany seemingly fretting more of “not losing” that “winning”. Slowly the Spaniards began to pry open a few chances with Xabi Alonso turning an effort off course before David Villa was unable to finish Andrés Iniesta’s fine provision. Noting the one-way traffic, Joachim Löw summoned Marcell Jansen seven minutes after the break with Toni Kroos ten minutes later as Germany looked to turn their fortune. The latter, of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, had ample opportunity to break the deadlock at the sixty-ninth minute when Lukas Podolski send him a deft cross from the left but his volley from close-range was turned aside by Spanish ‘keeper Iker Casillas. Spain made them pay for the missed opportunity four minutes later as they took advantage of a rare technical breakdown by Germany. Coming in via a corner from the left by Xavi, veteran Carles Puyol surged into the area, leaping above teammate Gerard Piqué to powerful head the ball into the net. With nine minutes remaining, Mario Gómez entered for the German’s but Spain maintained control of play and never threatened seriously. Successfully killing off three minutes of added time, Spain claimed a spot in the World Cup finals with a 1-0 victory.

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Prior to the World Cup, few gave Joachim Löw a chance of pulling his injury-ravaged side together for a serious run at the top stop. While the youthful talent came into the tournament unproven, as Die Nationalmannschaft go up against mighty Spain in the Durban for the right to meet the Netherlands in the final, they have become the poster-boy for national development programs.

Twenty years in the making, Germany put the plan in the place that is now coming to volition. Their youthful side, led by the heir apparent Thomas Müller, have shown passion and guile, mixed tactically to perfection. While the billing suggests a rematch of the Euro 2008 that saw La Furia Roja triumphant, Germany is riding a wave of bold, brash youthful optimism

Historically the media has pinned sterile phrases on German sides, portraying a steely-eyed vision that seems stuck in history books and far from the present day. The present day German machine is built of the sleekest style’s but with hearty dashes of cunning play making and a young striker chiselling his name into the game in a hurry. Watching Germany dispatch Argentina, the question was not whether they would but by how much. Gushing with pride, über legend Franz Beckenbauer noted, “Germany have never played like this before,” as the flourishing side has shown a new found attacking panache born from a generation of developmental work. Though Mr. Löw misses Thomas Müller to suspension he is stacked with talent including Hamburg’s Piotr Trochowski, Toni Kroos of Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart sniper Cacau. Beyond the one forced chance, Germany is unlikely to adjust their line-up with Miroslav Klose revitalized in a scoring spree and Lukas Podolski once again proving how he rises to the challenges of international competition.

For Spain, it has been a perplexing tournament that despite being in the semi-finals they are rarely looking in top form. Good fortune saw them advance out of the group stage after falling to Switzerland to the opening match and if had not been for the Nati’s undoing with a question call, they might have suffered the same fate and France and Italy. Against Portugal and Paraguay the elegant passing game of Vicente del Bosque’s side has been snuffed out by disciplined defending with only the foot of David Villa able to finish. Spain was sputtering against Paraguay until the Spaniard tactician pulled misfiring Fernando Torres but will need the Liverpool striker to find his finishing touch if they are to carve a victory. Spain’s only absence is likely Cesc Fàbregas who is doubtful after suffering an injury in training.

With both sides having a near full cupboard, this will prove to be a tactical toe to toe battle as both sides know the other well.

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With the final whistle of Tuesday’s World Cup semi-finals, the Netherlands moved one step closer to erasing memories of the great Clockwork Orange missed opportunities in the 1970’s with a 3-2 victory over Uruguay. Though Bert van Marwijk’s side still has one massive step in the form of Germany or Spain, Uruguay’s valiant, never say die attitude will forever be an indelible mark on this World Cup and a moment of pride for its three million plus citizens.

Heading into match both sides had ample story lines to fill journals as Uruguay looked to regain its lustre that has claimed two World Cup crowns and the Dutch hopeful to climb to the top of the victor’s podium. With both countries so passionate of their sides rich history it was no wonder the match came down to the final whistle.

Uruguay manager Óscar Tabárez faced a difficult task as his side was without the services of Luis Suárez and Jorge Fucile, to suspension as well as Diego Lugano and Nicolás Lodeiro. The early stages saw La Celeste under heavy pressure as the Netherlands poured forward early with confidence. After play evened out, the Dutch took the lead at the eighteenth minute via a stunning strike by Feyenoord’s Giovanni van Bronckhorst. From an improbable position, the thirty-five year old Dutch skipper delivered a scorching thirty-five plus metre effort to the top right corner of the net that no goalkeeper could stop. Immediately following the strike, much of the play thereafter was box to box before Diego Forlán levelled four minutes shy of the break. From just over twenty-six metres out, the Atlético Madrid sniper launched a curling effort, albeit via a modest deflection off John Heitinga, past Maarten Stekelenburg to square the match.

With the match level, the Oranje went on the hunt for the go-ahead goal but consistently met with a unified Uruguayan defenders. Fortune seemed La Celeste side as Arjen Robben sent a close range rebound far off into the Capt Town evening sky. At the seventieth minute, the Netherlands took the lead they would not relinquish as Wesley Sneijder’s effort from eighteen metres took a hefty deflection off Maxi Pereira before getting past ‘keeper Fernando Muslera for the 2-1 lead and in a World Cup rife with dubious calls, this will rank as another missed offside on Robin Van Persie. Only three minutes later the Arjen Robben man scored a rare goal with his head as he deftly nodded in Dirk Kuyt’s cross to double the advantage. Showing no quit, Mr. Tabárez summoned crafty veteran Sebastián Abreu and Sebastián Fernández into the fray as Uruguay drew the line that it would fight the fight to the final whistle. In the second minute of added-time Benfica’s Maxi Pereira sent a brilliant free kick into the netting and though Uruguay refused to quit, the final whistle sounded with the Netherlands on top 3-2.

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Forty years in the making, the Netherlands are within two victories of eliminating the anguish of never capturing the World Cup. Though the great Clockwork Orange sides of the 1970’s, led by the legendary Johan Cruyff, shook the foundations of the sport with “Totaalvoetbal”, they succumbed in the finals of the 1974 and 1978 World Cup. Going through a dark period in the 1980’s, the following decade under Guus Hiddink the Netherlands came within a penalty shoot-out loss to Brazil in the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup. As Bert van Marwijk’s side face Uruguay on Tuesday evening in Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium in the World Cup semi finals, they have a chance to avenge the demons of the past and forever put their footprint on the great history of Dutch football.

The 2010 version of the Oranje is packed with talent including, Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt and playmaker extraordinaire Arjen Robben, with the veteran leadership of Feyenoord’s Giovanni van Bronckhorst. While they advanced almost sheepishly in the group stages, their victory over Brazil in the quarterfinals established a professional aplomb that has been rarely been seen this World Cup. Bayern München’s Arjen Robben is playing with cunning vision and confidence, rewarding Bert van Marwijk for his selection despite coming into the competition with a tenuous injury situation. The Dutch tactician will however be challenged without the services of Nigel de Jong and Gregory van der Wiel, who are suspended, with Demy de Zeeuw and Khalid Boulahrouz to likely step into the respective spots.
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Uruguay, which tasted the pinnacle of the World Cup sixty years ago with a victory over Brazil have been inspiring but are far from fully stocked cupboard. Óscar Tabárez’s has been a miracle worker with La Celeste but he comes into the contest without Luis Suárez and Jorge Fucile, due to suspension and defender Diego Lugano is looking very unlikely, while Nicolás Lodeiro’s appearance in South Africa is over with a broken foot. Should Diego Lugano be unavailable, Colo-Colo veteran Andrés Scotti will likely be the first choice. Despite these absences and the many mentions of the Netherlands satisfying regrets of the past, Sniper Diego Forlán has been spellbinding and interestingly enough as his own connection to the Clockwork Orange as his father Pablo faced them as a part of Uruguay’s 1974 World Cup side that succumbed to the Dutch 2-0.

Contrary to the pre-match posturing and other nonsense in the media by Argentina’s Diego Maradona before Germany crushed them, both managers are wisely complimentary of their opposition. While Bert van Marwijk has lauded Uruguay for their inspired play noting, “if you see their passion it could serve as an example for us”, Óscar Tabárez has not been shy of accolades. Citing the difference to the 2010 Netherlands line-up, the veteran leader underlined their balanced play, technical proficiency with high work rate. Ultimately, with passion and suspense running high on both sides of the pitch, this will prove to be fight to the end.

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Joachim Löw’s tactical superiority proved out as Germany overwhelmed Argentina 4-0 in Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium. With the result, the youthful “Mannschaft” move to World Cup semi-finals in Durban on 7 July against either Paraguay or Spain, to be decided later today.

While the handing in of the line-up cards the match looked fait accompli to some degree as the Argentina manager ignored tactical concerns and utilized the same attacking unit as in prior matches, effectively feeding into German strength. Along with the bewildering omissions of notables Juan Román Riquelme, Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti as well as Lisandro López and Lucho González from the Argentine selection, the tactical flaws were extremely apparent as La Albiceleste were served up for the slaughter. Argentina’s 4-3-2-1 formation with Javier Mascherano as the lone defending midfielder lacked an understanding of the German’s tactical approach and was far too easy to break down, leaving them little chance. Seeing the unchanged lineup, German manager Joachim Löw, utilized the most fundamental approach in coaching by establishing his defending front to dictate the opposition attack and I suspect as the match began, knew what lay ahead.

From the opening whistle, the well-prepared German side exposed the Argentina weaknesses with Bayern München’s Bastian Schweinsteiger having a career day. With vast amounts of space on the flanks open for the attack, Germany tore forward and took the lead with a practice grounds goal at the third minute. Via a free kick from the left, Bastian Schweinsteiger delivered a cross that his club teammate Thomas Müller shook off this mark Nicolás Otamendi to head the ball into the net. From virtually every aspect of the set-piece the goal was mind-numbing defending blunder as the Vélez Sársfield defender was on the wrong side of his man and goalkeeper Sergio Romero failed to raise his hands to thwart the effort. For the twenty year-old Thomas Müller, it was his fourth goal of the World Cup and it is quite clear he is the next in the great line of German strikers as his predatory abilities near the goal have been a highlight of the World Cup. Following the goal, the Argentina third was under siege, yet they remained adamant about not making tactical adjustments, forcing Javier Mascherano to cover an impossibly large area and inviting danger. After a quick assault by Mesut Özil, Argentina made its first advance with Ángel di María surging through the left channel, only to have Philipp Lahm put on a defending clinic as he dispossessed him of the ball before launching a counter. At the quarter-hour, the German skipper Philipp Lahm stormed up the right flank before delivering a piercing cross into the box intended for Miroslav Klose that the Argentine’s were fortunate to head clear. Lionel Messi, virtually invisible in the early goings as Germany would give no ground in the interior, began to shift out to his right but still quality chances rare and little time to work the attack. Later, Nicolás Otamendi was played through on the right side of the area but his first touch was heavy and before he could get his shot off Hertha Berlin defender Arne Friedrich closed off the chance. Midway of the half, Lionel Messi rolled a fine weighted ball through the right channel but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer smothered it just before former Boca Juniors man Carlitos Tévez could arrive. Moments later, Thomas Müller dispossessed the Argentine midfield before surging up the right and laying back the ball to Miroslav Klose but the veteran playing in his one hundredth match for Germany should have done better as he sent his booming effort over the crossbar. “El Apache” as Carlitos Tévez is known to the Argentine faithful, began to take matters into his own hands, carving out a few openings but his speculative offering just past the half-hour was no problem for German ‘keeper Manuel Neuer to stop. Eleven minutes shy of the break Gonzalo Higuaín latched onto the ball on the right side of the area and in creating space from Arne Friedrich, he pulled the ball to his left foot where he sent an effort to the near post that Manuel Neuer stretched out to stop. A minute later, Thomas Müller was the recipient of a yellow-card for an inadvertent handball, a harsh call that will keep the young attacker out of the semi-finals. Regaining his composure, two minutes shy of the break the young Bayern München attacker had a quality chance in the area but his deft effort on the outside of foot was blocked to safety. After a quality challenge my Thomas Müller, Gabriel Heinze lobbied hard for a second yellow-card but match day referee Ravshan Irmatov would have nothing to do with such nonsense as Germany took the one-goal advantage to the break.

In the dressing rooms, it was clear that Argentina had been more than out-played but out-witted as well. The resolute German defence has cut down any quality chances and forced Lionel Messi from the typical centralist “enganche” position to more flanking approaches and little space to work. Despite dominated in the opening forty-five minutes, Argentina hopes flourished as they were only down a goal and after the re-start showed significantly greater intent and patience. In contrast of the opening half, La Albiceleste were patient, linking up a series fine passing chains as they searched for an opening in the German defence. Former Benfica man Ángel di María created a quality chance from the left side of the area as Argentina probed for the leveller before Germany recognized tightened its ranks. At the fifty-second minute, Ángel di María sent a superb cross from the right side of the box that Maxi Rodríguez brought down with his chest for Carlitos Tévez but Per Mertesacker bravely stepped in front of his effort, taking a powerful drive firmly on his jaw. Just before the hour, Bastian Schweinsteiger, earning his seventy-ninth cap at only twenty-five years old, played Philipp Lahm in on the right but the Argentine ‘keeper quickly covered his cross to keep the contest a one-goal affair. Just after the hour, La Albiceleste decided to turn up the pressure on Manuel Neuer and forced him into a series of stops on speculative offerings. Clearly trying to see if the Schalke 04 ‘keeper would cave under the pressure of the sports highest stage, Carlitos Tévez, Ángel di María and Lionel Messi sent low probability efforts but each was dealt with professionally by the German ‘keeper. Eight minutes past the hour, Bastian Schweinsteiger, after being up-ended in the area, pushed to ball for Lukas Podolski on the left channel and the Köln striker cross the ball for Miroslav Klose to send into the back of the net from close range to give Germany the commanding 2-0 lead. Down by two, Argentina was clearly on the ropes and needed to push forward but with each advance, Germany poised to sting them with the counter. After Diego Maradona summoned Palermo’s Javier Pastore into the affair, Joachim Löw called upon Hamburger SV man Marcell Jansen for Jérôme Boateng as Germany looked to cull any chance of a comeback. Whether Argentina was too intent of pushing forward on merely had their spirit broken is a matter of debate but with sixteen minutes remaining in regulation time Hertha Berlin’s Arne Friedrich celebrated his first goal for Germany in seventy-seven appearances and effectively ended the contest. In continuation of the Bastian Schweinsteiger show, the Bayern man cut through the languishing Argentine defenders with absolute ease on the left before sending a cross from the by-line that Arne Friedrich poked into the net from close range. Now leading by three goals, there was no doubt the affair was over and the German tactician called upon Toni Kroos and Piotr Trochowski for Sami Khedira and Thomas Müller, with the latter receiving a special ovation for his stunning play and promise of the future. At the eighty-ninth minute, Germany put a defiant exclamation part on the evening as well as serving notice to the rest of the world on their twenty-year commitment to youth development as Lukas Podolski led a fast counter-attack before providing the ball to Mesut Özil who overlapped his run to the left. The young Werder Bremen man who has attracted considerable attention for his play during the tournament eased in the area before showing remarkable touch as he sent a soft, lofted cross that Miroslav Klose volleyed into the net for the 4-0 victory. For Miroslav Klose it not only served as a perfecting ending to the memorable match but it brought him level in the World Cup record books with legendary German striker Gerd Müller.

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The Óscar Tabárez led revival of Uruguay continued as La Celeste overcame Ghana after playing to extra-time 1-1 draw, with a highly dramatic 4-2 penalty shoot out win at Soccer City in Johannesburg. With the result, the two-time World Cup champions will now face the Netherlands in the semi-finals on 6 July in Cape Town.

With Nelson Mandela urging all of Africa to get behind the Black Stars, Uruguay faced a mighty test with the 84,000 plus crowd in united support of Ghana. Answering the pulse of vuvuzela, the Uruguayan’s formidable striking duo of Diego Forlán and Luis Suárez began to carve out openings in the early stages of the contest. At the eleventh minute, Luis Suárez saw his effort from inside the area stopped by Black Star ‘keeper Richard Kingson. After the Ghanaian goalkeeper pushed aside a wayward Diego Forlán corner, he frustrated Luis Suárez at the twenty-fifth minute. After the early pressure, Milovan Rajevac’s Black Stars began to gain a foothold with Stade Rennais man Asamoah Gyan rasped the woodwork via Kevin Prince Boateng’s provision. Just before the break, Sulley Muntari, who was nearly sent home for disciplinary reasons, delivered a curling speculative effort from thirty-plus metres that got past shielded ‘keeper Fernando Muslera for the 1-0 lead.

At the re-start, Óscar Tabárez summoned Ajax youngster Nicolás Lodeiro in for Álvaro Fernández with La Celeste showing greater confidence. Continuing to establish himself as one of the finest predators in the sport, Diego Forlán’s curling free kick from just outside the left side of the area filled the net to square the affair at the fifty-fifth minute. Eight minutes later, the goal scorer turned provider as he surged down the left channel before crossing above the ‘keeper to the back post for Luis Suárez but the Ajax sniper shaped his foot poorly and sent the ball into the side of the net. With nineteen minutes remaining, Black Star ‘keeper Richard Kingson continued his heroic play stopping Luis Suárez, before two later efforts just missed the target. Without further incident, relegation time ticked down with the match unsettled forcing extra-time.

Uruguay seemed to run out of venom in the later stages of extra-time as Ghana began to push for the winner. With ten minutes remaining, Asamoah Gyan glanced a header over the bar as the Black Stars poured forward. Cueing up for winning goal, Ghana won a free kick to the right in the final moments on to see Stephen Appiah’s effort pushed back from the line by Luis Suárez but in the ensuing rebound from Dominic Adiyiah the Ajax striker instinctively blocked the header with his hand. Match day referee Olegário Benquerença had no other choice and immediately showed the red-card and set up the climatic ending by pointing to the spot. Chosing a short run-up, with the hopes of a continent on his shoulders, Asamoah Gyan made the cardinal error in spot kicks by raising his head and boomed his effort off the crossbar. Following the missed opportunity, Uruguay ‘keeper Fernando Muslera of Serie A’s Lazio clasped his hands, looked upwards to the crossbar and waited for his opportunity in the penalty shootout.

With the start of the shoot-out, Diego Forlán showed his pedigree as he confidenly sent the ball into the net in matter-of-fact fashion. Asamoah Gyan shook off the tension of the miss to level the shoot out with Mauricio Victorino and then Stephen Appiah keeping the perfect shoot results intact. After Andrés Scotti restored Uruguay’s advantage, John Mensah, certainly not known for his scoring ability, saw his effort stopped by ‘keeper Fernando Muslera as he dove to his left. Benfica’s Maxi Pereira sent his dreadful effort far above the crossbar, opening a chance for Ghana but Fernando Muslera stopped youngster Dominic Adiyiah. In a highly memorable moment, up stepped veteran Sebastián Abreu and with the utmost confidence he deftly chipped the ball past the diving ‘keeper to send Uruguayan fans throughout the world in rapturous delight.

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Wesley Sneijder picked a perfect time for his first goal via a header as his second-half marker lead the Netherlands to a 2-1 victory over Brazil 2-1 at Port Elizabeth Stadium. The result pushes the Oranje into the semi-finals against Uruguay on 6 July in beautiful Cape Town.

Brazil manager Dunga, who has faced enormous criticized as the retooled the Seleção into a more counter-attack focused side, saw his eleven dominate the early proceedings. Ripping apart the left side of the Dutch defenders, Brazil stormed forward with Robinho turn in Kaká’s cross at the eighth minute, only to see match day referee Yuichi Nishimura wave it off as offside. Though the call was a questionable decision, two minutes later the Brazilian’s supporters were in full Samba mode with the go-ahead goal. Victimizing the Netherlands for a dreadful defending lapse when played onside by veteran André Ooijer, Felipe Melo’s long provision up the centre of pitch found Robinho who finished perfectly past ‘keeper Maarten Stekelenburg for the 1-0 lead. Bert van Marwijk’s men were looking on less-than stable ground as Brazil were pushing the ball forward with bold confidence. Five minutes shy of the half-hour, Luís Fabiano deftly flicked the ball to Kaká just outside the area to the left, with the Real Madrid man curling the ball to the far, top corner of net, only to see Maarten Stekelenburg stretch out fully to swat the effort away in possibly the save of the tournament. Slowly the match began to turn with challenges harsh and the Seleção clearly rattled by the Dutch. As Dunga stormed on the touch-line as his men clearly lost their composure, Arjen Robben wreaked havoc on Michel Bastos. The Olympique Lyonnais man picked up four fouls quickly, followed with a yellow-card with eight minutes left and along with Maicon’s behaviour, Brazil was swirling out of disciplinary control. Though still the stronger of the two at the break, the Brazil manager, a defender stalwart during his own playing career, could see the roots to victory rotting before his eyes.

At the re-start Bayern München man Arjen Robben began to exposing openings on the Brazilian’s right, with the momentum clearly turning. At the fifty-second minute, match-day referee Yuichi Nishimura turned a highly lenient eye towards Michel Bastos on a despicable challenge of Arjen Robben, calling another foul as opposed to his second yellow-card. Though, skipper Giovanni van Bronckhorst had a great deal to say over the curious call, a minute later the contest was level on another defending flaw. Coming in from the right, Wesley Sneijder delivered a probing cross into the box that normally reliable goalkeeper Júlio César inexcusably came out to play, colliding with Felipe Melo, to which the ball bounded off the defender and into the net for the gifted leveller. Seeing that Michel Bastos was on the verge of a red-card, at the sixty-second minute the Brazilian tactician summoned veteran Gilberto of Cruzeiro, in hope of some much needed leadership. Despite the move, the Oranje now appeared a confident team of destiny as Brazil were being pushed on their heels. Six minutes later the Netherlands took the lead they would not relinquish as Arjen Robben whipped in lower corner from the right that Dirk Kuyt deftly flicked on, to which Wesley Sneijder nodded in for what the Internazionale man claimed to be his first goal via a header. Five minutes later, Felipe Melo completely self-destructed as following a poor challenge he stomped heavily on the back of Arjen Robben, effectively forcing a red-card. Down a man, Brazil continued to throw forward but each effort saw exposed at the back, leaving the Dutch a number of quality scoring chances. Through Bert van Marwijk’s were unable to convert on said chances, they held off the Brazilians for the victory and set up a date with Uruguay in the semi-finals.

Prepared by J. Davies
©Europa League News, 2010.
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