The Story of the 2010 World Cup — Africa's First and Spain's Tiki-Taka

The 2010 World Cup was held in South Africa — the first tournament on African soil. The vuvuzelas — plastic horns blown constantly by supporters in the stadiums — created the most distinctive soundscape in World Cup history and drove television viewers around the world to distraction. The football was often cautious and defensively organised in the group stage. And Spain, the European champions, ground their way through the tournament playing the most possession-dominated football the World Cup had ever seen, and won the trophy for the first time.

England 1-4 Germany — The Humiliation

England's round of 16 match against Germany in Bloemfontein produced one of the most painful afternoons in English football history. Germany were younger, faster, more technically accomplished, and thoroughly outplayed England's ageing side. The score was 4-1 — but the match was even more one-sided than the scoreline suggested.

The additional agony was Frank Lampard's disallowed goal — a shot that struck the crossbar, bounced clearly over the line, and was not given by the referee or his assistant. Goal-line technology, which would have confirmed it instantly, was not yet in use. England trailed 2-1 when the goal was disallowed. Germany subsequently scored twice more. The goal controversy became something of a distraction from the basic reality that Germany were the better side by a considerable margin.

Spain — The Peak of Tiki-Taka

Spain under Vicente del Bosque played football built on complete control of possession — what became known as tiki-taka, a name the players themselves always resisted. Their midfield — Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, David Silva — was the finest in the world, capable of keeping the ball for extended periods and suffocating opponents through movement and positional excellence rather than direct physical challenge.

They won all seven matches. They scored eight goals. They conceded two. The football was not always exciting — several group stage matches were low-scoring affairs that frustrated neutral supporters. But the quarter-final against Paraguay, the semi-final against Germany, and the final against the Netherlands showed what Spain were capable of when pushed.

The final, played in Johannesburg, went to extra time at 0-0 after 90 minutes. The Netherlands, who had reached their third final, were physical and combative — eleven yellow cards, one red. In the 116th minute, Andrés Iniesta collected the ball in the penalty area and drove it past the goalkeeper. Spain 1-0 Netherlands. The trophy was theirs.

Iniesta ripped off his shirt and held it up. It bore a message for his friend and former teammate Dani Jarque, who had died of a heart attack the previous year. The image of Iniesta, arms wide, shirt held aloft, is one of the finest in World Cup history.

Browse the Spain collection and the England collection at Players Couture.