Spain grab World Cup with extra-time goal
JOHANNESBURG: Spain stunned the Netherlands to win their first World Cup on Sunday in sensational fashion with a goal in the last minutes of extra time.

Germany edge Uruguay to claim third place
PORT ELIZABETH: Sami Khedira`s 82nd-minute header earned Germany a 3-2 victory in a rousing and rain-soaked World Cup third-place play-off match here on Saturday.

Spain make maiden World Cup final
DURBAN: Germany had a newfangled swift, stylish game, but did they have the fight of old Or was the revamp so complete that any old traditional German-ness had been done away with Carles Puyol’s bomber-like header over a quarter from the end was the perfect script for Germany to turn back the clock.

Viva Espana! Spain euphoric at semi-final win
MADRID: The whole of Spain erupted with joy as it reached the World Cup final for the first time ever with a 1-0 win over Germany.

Netherlands beat Uruguay in World Cup semi
CAPE TOWN: The Dutch did not serve up a footballing master class on Tuesday but the tide of orange attackers still proved too much for Uruguay in the World Cup semi-final in Cape Town.

Portugal out: Villa strike puts Spain into quarter-finals
CAPE TOWN: Red-hot David Villa scored his fourth goal of the World Cup to fire European champions Spain past Iberian arch-rivals Portugal 1-0 on Tuesday and into quarter-final clash against Paraguay.

Japan lose to Paraguay in shootout
PRETORIA: Japanese star Keisuke Honda led Japan`s attack but the Blue Samurai lost 5-3 to Paraguay on a penalty shootout in the World Cup last-16 match on Tuesday.

Brazil defeat Chile 3-0, face Dutch in last eight
JOHANNESBURG: Brazil set up a mouth-watering World Cup quarter-final clash against the Netherlands with a convincing 3-0 win over Chile on Monday at Ellis Park.

Dutch advance after victory over Slovakia
DURBAN: Arjen Robben and Wesley Sniejder fired the Dutch team to a 2-1 victory over Slovakia here on Monday to set up a World Cup quarter-final against either Brazil or Chile.

Tevez double puts Argentina into last eight
JOHANNESBURG: Argentina will meet Germany in the World Cup`s quarter-finals after striker Carlos Tevez struck twice - once controversially - to seal a 3-1 win over Mexico in Sunday`s round of 16 match.

Germany thrash England 4-1, reach last eight
BLOEMFONTEIN: Germany thrashed England 4-1 on Sunday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals with goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski and a double for Thomas Mueller with Matthew Upson netting a consolation for England.

Gyan fires Ghana past USA into last eight
RUSTENBURG: Ghana`s Asamoah Gyan scored three minutes into extra time to send Africa`s last World Cup contender into the quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over the United States on Saturday.

Suarez fires Uruguay into quarterfinals
PORT ELIZABETH: Uruguay became the first country to make it into the World Cup quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over South Korea at a sodden Nelson Mandela Bay stadium here on Saturday.

Victorious Spain, Chile into World Cup last 16
PRETORIA: David Villa took advantage of a blunder by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and also set up an Andres Iniesta goal to give Spain a spot in the World Cup last 16 on Friday with a 2-1 victory over 10-man Chile.

Toothless Swiss suffer World Cup agony
BLOEMFONTEIN: Goal-shy Switzerland suffered World Cup heartbreak on Friday when they crashed out of the tournament after a goalless stalemate against central American minnows Honduras.

Portugal advance with Brazil after drab draw
DURBAN: Portugal qualified for the second round of the World Cup after battling to an ill-tempered 0-0 draw with five-time champions Brazil in their final Group G game on Friday.

Ivory Coast score three but not enough for last 16
NELSPRUIT, South Africa: Ivory Coast fell short of their goal chase to make the last 16 at the World Cup as they beat North Korea 3-0 in their Group G match to continue the exodus of African teams here on Friday.

Japan make history by sinking Danmark
RUSTENBURG: Superb free-kicks by Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo inspired Japan to an exhilarating 3-1 win over Denmark that sends them into the last 16 of a World Cup for the first time on foreign soil.

Netherlands beat Cameroon for Slovakia clash
CAPE TOWN: The Netherlands reaffirmed their status as one of the World Cup favourites on Thursday by beating Cameroon 2-1 to set up a knockout round clash with Slovakia.

Champions Italy knocked out of WC by Slovakia
JOHANNESBURG: Reigning champions Italy were knocked out of the World Cup on Thursday as they slumped to a sensational 3-2 defeat to unheralded Slovakia in an Ellis Park thriller.

Paraguay top group after goalless draw with NZ
POLOKWANE, South Africa: Paraguay topped Group F at the World Cup on Thursday after a drab 0-0 draw with surprise packets New Zealand.

Defoe saves England blushes, USA win Group C
PORT ELIZABETH: England and the United States qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup from Group C on Wednesday, but the US won the group with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Algeria. A volley from Jermain Defoe gave England a hard-fought 1-0 win over Slovenia, but the the United States pipped England to the top spot when Landon Donovan scored one minute into stoppage time.

Australia stuns Serbia by 2-1
NELSPRUIT: Tim Cahill and Brett Holman scored second-half goals Wednesday to help Australia beat Serbia 2-1 in Group D of the World Cup, though both teams were eliminated.

Germany beat Ghana by 1-0
JOHANNESBURG: Germany beat Ghana 1-0 after a second-half goal from Mesut Oezil to win Group D and set up a second-round World Cup clash with traditional rival England.

Late Argentine goals crush Greek resistance
POLOKWANE: Martin Demichelis struck a late goal to set up Argentina for a 2-0 World Cup win over Greece Tuesday, top spot in Group B and a second-round showdown with Mexico.

Uruguay and Mexico advance, hosts and France out
JOHANNESBURG: Uruguay and Mexico reached the World Cup last 16 on Tuesday while 1998 champions and 2006 runners-up France and hosts South Africa were eliminated as Group A concluded.

S.Korea through after Nigeria blow chance
DURBAN: Nigeria squandered a golden opportunity to become Africa`s first, and possibly only, representative in the second round of the continent`s first World Cup when they were held to a 2-2 draw by South Korea on Tuesday.

England need victory in tense Group C
JOHANNESBURG: England’s World Cup is in the balance with everything up for grabs for all four teams in Group C on Wednesday (today).

Portugal rout North Korea 7-0 in 2nd round
CAPE TOWN: A merciless Portugal tore North Korea to shreds in a 7-0 rout on Monday, putting them within reach of the knockout rounds and eliminating the Asian nation from the World Cup.

Chile beat 10-man Switzerland to close in on last 16
PORT ELIZABETH: Chile continued their dream World Cup run with a 1-0 defeat of 10-man Switzerland here on Monday to move within touching distance of the last 16.

Villa double seals Spain`s win over Honduras
JOHANNESBURG: Goals either side of half-time by Barcelona`s new signing David Villa saw Spain beat Honduras 2-0 in their Group H clash at Ellis Park on Monday to put their World Cup back on track.

N.Korea fans in Japan devastated over World Cup exit
TOKYO: Ethnic Koreans in Japan cried over North Korea`s early exit from the World Cup on Monday, but said they were grateful for the rare chance to unite and see the team in its first finals in 44 years.

Brazil into last 16 after beating Ivory Coast
JOHANNESBURG: Brazil qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup with a 3-1 win against Ivory Coast in their Group G clash at Soccer City on Sunday, but had star midfielder Kaka controversially sent off.

Paraguay on brink of knockouts after beating Slovakia 2-0
BLOEMFONTEIN: A powerful Paraguay side beat Slovakia 2-0 in Bloemfontein on Sunday to leave the South Americans on the brink of qualification for the World Cup knockout phase.

Kiwis pull off stunning draw with Italy
NELSPRUIT, South Africa: New Zealand achieved their greatest footballing result here on Sunday with a stunning 1-1 draw agaisnt defending champions Italy`s in their World Cup Group F match.

Netherlands beat Japan, win pole position in Group E
DURBAN: Wesley Sneijder fired the Netherlands to a comfortable 1-0 win over Japan and pole position in World Cup Group E here on Saturday.

Ghana go top with draw against 10-man Aussies
RUSTENBURG, South Africa: Ghana edged clear at the top of World Cup Group D after an exciting 1-1 draw with ten-man Australia at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.

Bradley’s late strike seals USA draw with Slovenia
JOHANNESBURG: Midfielder Michael Bradley’s late goal sealed the United States’ fight back as they drew 2-2 with Slovenia at the World Cup on Friday night to keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 alive.

Woeful England draw with Algeria
CAPE TOWN: A woeful England failed to find the killer touch in a disappointing 0-0 draw with Algeria on Friday, putting them under huge pressure to beat Slovenia in their final group game and stay alive in the World Cup.

Serbia shock10-man Germany 1-0
PORT ELIZABETH: Serbia stunned Germany 1-0 here on Friday in a pulsating World Cup tie marked by a cluster of yellow cards, Miroslav Klose`s sending off and Germany`s Lukas Podolski missing a second-half penalty.

Argentina beats South Korea 4-1 at World Cup
JOHANNESBURG: Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat trick in Argentina`s 4-1 win over South Korea at the World Cup on Thursday, a result that put the South Americans on the brink of qualifying for the next round from Group B.

Greece beats 10-man Nigeria 2-1 at World Cup
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa: Greece earned its first World Cup win Thursday, coming from behind to beat 10-man Nigeria 2-1 in Group B on Thursday.

Mexico beat France by 2-0
JOHANNESBURG: Former World Cup winner France were left on the brink of a first-round exit after a 2-0 defeat to Mexico.

Uruguay beat host nation South Africa by 3-0
PRETORIA: Uruguay beat South Africa 3-0 in their World Cup Group A match on Wednesday thanks to two goals from Diego Forlan including a penalty after the host nation`s goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was sent off.

History-making Swiss shock favourites Spain
DURBAN: World Cup favourites Spain crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat to unfancied Switzerland in their opening game of the tournament here on Wednesday.

France a tempting prey for Mexico
POLOKWANE: After ruining South Africa’s opening party plans, Mexico take on an unsteady France side on Thursday (today) eager to highlight their growing reputation as World Cup gatecrashers.

Chile earned first World Cup victory in 48 years
Jean Beausejour`s strike earned Chile a first World Cup victory for 48 years as Marcelo Bielsa`s side got their 2010 campaign off to a winning start.

Brazil beat North Korea by 2-1
JOHANNESBURG: Five-time World Cup winners Brazil opened their South Africa 2010 campaign with a workmanlike 2-1 win over Asian minnows North Korea on Tuesday.

Drogba back as Ivory Coast draw with Portugal
PORT ELIZABETH: Ivory Coast and Portugal entered the World Cup fray here on Tuesday and produced a goalless draw marked by Didier Drogba`s return to action just ten days after surgery on his broken arm.

Group F kicks off with thrilling stalemates
RUSTENBURG: New Zealand defender Winston Reid headed an equaliser in the dying seconds to earn a 1-1 draw with Slovakia on Tuesday after defending champions Italy had drawn 1-1 with Paraguay in Cape Town as Group F kicked off on Monday night.

Spain finally enter the fray
DURBAN: European champions Spain will be one of the last two teams in action in the opening flight of group matches, a position the perennial World Cup underachievers also hope to be in at the end of South Africa 2010.

Chile seek first win in 48 years
NELSPRUIT: Chile face Honduras in their opening Group H match on Wednesday (today) on the 48th anniversary of their last World Cup victory with a golden opportunity to rid themselves of an unwanted record.

South Africa confident of first World Cup win
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa claim they have shrugged off opening day World Cup jitters and will be much more enterprising against Uruguay on Wednesday (today).

Italy`s title defence off to stuttering start
CAPE TOWN: Italy got their title defence off to a stuttering start on Monday when they needed to come from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Paraguay in their World Cup opener.

Honda gives Japanese historic win in FIFA world Cup 2010
BOEMFONTEIN: A goal by Keisuke Honda gave Japan their first World Cup win outside their country on Monday as they beat Cameroon 1-0 in their Group E clash.

Late Kuyt strike helps Netherlands beat Denmark
JOHANNESBURG: The Netherlands got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Denmark thanks to an own-goal and a late tap-in from Liverpool`s Dirk Kuyt.

Superb Germany dismantle Australia
DURBAN: Three-time champions Germany fired out a warning to World Cup challengers with a comprehensive 4-0 dismantling of Australia in their opening Group D match here Sunday.

Dutch must guard against over-confidence
JOHANNESBURG: Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk’s side face two dangers when they start their World Cup Group E campaign at Ellis Park on Monday — opponents Denmark and the possibility of being too confident.

Marchisio in spotlight for Italy
KARACHI: The Italians have been battered, criticised and given up for dead by many pundits and fans, who believe that the squad is an ageing one but in Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio, there is probably light at the end of the tunnel for the defending champions.

Green gives England opener blues against USA
RUSTENBERG: England’s players couldn’t get off the field fast enough as the Americans lingered to savour the night.

Gyan penalty sinks Serbia
PRETORIA: An 85th minute penalty from Asamoah Gyan gave Ghana a 1-0 victory over Serbia in World Cup Group D on Sunday — providing Africa with their first win in the tournament.

Slick South Koreans blank appalling Greece
PORT ELIZABETH: South Korea registered the first win at the 2010 World Cup, a richly deserved 2-0 victory against Greece here Saturday to give them a live chance of achieving their ambition of a last 16 berth.

Heinze header gives Argentina 1-0 victory
JOHANNESBURG: Lionel Messi lit up the World Cup on Saturday with a mesmerising individual performance but profligate Argentina still only beat Nigeria 1-0 with a goal from Gabriel Heinze in Group B.

Uninspiring France struggle to draw with Uruguay
CAPE TOWN: Former champions France failed to set the World Cup alight on Friday as they struggled to a 0-0 draw against 10-man Uruguay in an uninspiring start to their campaign.

Hosts South Africa held to a draw by Mexico
JOHANNESBURG: A stunning goal from Siphiwe Tshabalala almost gave hosts South Africa the perfect start to the World Cup before they were held to a 1-1 draw in front of almost 85,000 fans at Soccer City on Friday.

What do you expect from Day 1?
11 June 2010 is a day billions have looked forward to for a long while. It is one on which the 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup will get underway.