World Cup 2010

The mere fact that Spain won the 2010 World Cup is unique enough, given their history of letdowns. But the way they did it was unparalled, with an opening match loss, four 1-0 wins, and the lowest number of goals for any champion.

Germany and Uruguay weren't that far away from meeting each other for the World Cup championship tomorrow. Instead, the Germans were shut down by Spain, and the Uruguayans ran out of miracles against the Dutch, so they are facing off for third place.

The Netherlands has never won a World Cup, and last had a real shot with two finals defeats in the '70s. The Dutch are now one step away from history again, although it took a while to put away Uruguay. But, the 3-2 win leaves Germany or Spain next.

With Brazil gone, one of the World Cup semifinals will be between two relative newcomers. The Dutch have been here a few times before, and Uruguay won two of the first World Cups - yet both teams haven't been this close to a title in a while.

After a few days off, the World Cup is back in action today and tomorrow. The quarterfinals begin with the already hyped Brazil vs Netherlands showdown, with Africa on edge for the Uruguay-Ghana match later today.

After non-stop soccer over the last 2 1/2 weeks, the World Cup is finally taking a break before the quarterfinals. But, the matchups on Friday and Saturday, including Brazil vs Holland and Germany vs Argentina, will help make up for it.

The World Cup knockout round has already pitted Germany against England and Spain vs Portugal. But, with showdowns coming between Germany and Argentina, and Brazil against the Netherlands, the bar is being set high for the championship matchup.

American soccer had their best chance in years to enter the elite, and go deep into the World Cup. Yet Landon Donovan's last-second goal days ago only led to an extra time loss against Ghana, and a lost chance that will hang over their World Cup run.

Soccer or football is becoming more popular in the United States. Team America attending at the biggest world stage, The 2010 World Cup by FIFA, is a rewarding incentive for the sport in the United States.

For the first 90 minutes, the USA vs Algeria match was the most frustrating in American soccer history. Another disallowed goal, and countless missed chances, looked to end America's World Cup run - until Landon Donovan got one final chance.

The World Cup Group C standings looked settled in favor of England and Slovenia, while America's missed chances and robbed goals would eliminate them. But, with one last-second Landon Donovan goal, America and England have knocked Slovenia out.

Half of the matches have been played in the World Cup, with 32 left to play. But, the next 16 will set the knockout round in motion. Each group will play its final match simultaneously to settle their standings in the next four mornings and afternoons.

The so-called Group of Death started last week, with Brazil taking an early strangelhold, while the Ivory Coast and Portugal struggled to a draw. Now, the Ivory Coast is in a do-or-die match with Brazil today, as Portugal looks to rebound tomorrow.

Things started conventionally in the World Cup, until upsets began to spring up. The standings have only two teams with six points, as Argentina and the Dutch have moved up the list of favorites, while others, like Spain and Germany, are in early trouble.

If the USA defeats Slovenia, as expected, tomorrow, they won't automatically make the knockout road. But, a loss would all but guarantee they won't make it, even with their tie against England. A win, however, would let them dream of a Group C title.

The first World Cup match between group leaders proved that Argentina is the king of Group B, as expected. The Argentinians jumped out big early against South Korea, then survived a gift goal thanks to a Gonzalo Higuain hat trick, securing a 4-1 win.

Every team has now played one World Cup game, with two more left to go in round one. Now, the road to the knockout round is clear for some, while others need to get a win or tie just to hang on.

Goals have been in very short supply in the World Cup. So, when Slovakia took a second-half lead over New Zealand, it looked to be a sure 1-0 win. However, the first stoppage time goal of the tournament gave New Zealand a stunning draw.

Every four years, one World Cup group is labeled the Group of Death. Since Group G has top-ranked Brazil and third-ranked Portugal, as well as the top African team in the Ivory Coast, it has Group of Death written all over it as it starts play today.

Day 4 of the World Cup has favorites like the Dutch and defending champion Italy getting under way. Tomorrow, powerhouses like Brazil and Portugal will get to make their first statement, with Spain wrapping up the opening games on Wednesday.

Robert Green cost England two points against the US today, but two other teams paid dearly for mistakes today as well. Serbia and Algeria both blew chances for 0-0 ties with late red cards, and additional blunders that led to deciding goals.

After two games, Group C of the World Cup has an unusual pecking order. England was denied three points against the USA, as both teams settled for one. Instead, Slovenia leads the group, after an Algerian red card preludeded a late goal.

The England-USA World Cup showdown started very ominously for America, after giving up a fourth minute goal. Yet that was nothing compared to the kind of goal England gave up in the 40'th minute, leading to a surprising 1-1 draw.

For months, the most anticipated first round match of the World Cup has obviously been England vs the USA. Now England finally gets a chance to avenge 1950, while the Americans look to take another step towards the world's elite.

Low scores are very common in soccer, which explains why only five goals have been scored in the first four World Cup games. However, several teams missed chances to get more, which could come back to haunt them when the first round is over.

For the next two weeks, 32 teams will fight in eight groups to get to the World Cup knockout round. The pairings have been in place for months, giving experts enough time to pick likely favorites in each group, and potential future pairings.

The World Cup itself doesn't start until tomorrow, but South Africa has been celebrating it for years. The official star-studded opening ceremony is this afternoon, with an additional show set for tomorrow before the opening game.

I am currently living the World Cup 2010. The country is afflicted with Soccer Fever. These are memories that I will treasure forever.

With three days left until the World Cup starts, the big stories before the first match are injuries and stampedes. More and more nations are losing stars before the tournament starts, while FIFA is now on higher alert to keep fans in-line.