World Cup 2010 South Africa

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson felt his young team acquitted themselves well after coming through a potentially tricky UEFA Europa League test at FK Rabotnicki.

Former European champions Celtic and Ajax are looking at the prospect of early elimination from their respective UEFA Champions League qualifying campaigns.

Ukrainian heavyweights Dynamo Kiev and perennial Belgian champions Anderlecht have each taken a giant stride towards the UEFA Champions League final qualifying round.

Former Liverpool and newly signed Olympiacos winger Albert Riera has written a personal letter thanking the club and fans and urging them to forget the past.

Dane Richards scored in the 70th minute to give the New York Red Bulls a 2-1 victory over big-spending Manchester City in a friendly on Sunday.

Nigeria won a penalty shootout to claim a place in the semi-finals at the end of an enthralling struggle in Augsburg.

Sydney Leroux has rightly grabbed a lot of attention for USA so far but Bianca Henninger has been just as effective at the other end frustrating the opposition.

A Paulinho penalty eight minutes from time saw BK Hacken beat Allsvenskan leaders Helsingborgs 2-1.

Thierry Henry has revealed David Beckham persuaded him to move to Major League Soccer, and discussed Cesc Fabregas's potential move to Barcelona.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi believes Arsenal are merely "delaying the inevitable" by preventing Cesc Fabregas from joining the Spanish champions.

Never out of the news, Paul the octopus held the FIFA World Cup's only 100 per cent record and has become one of the tournament's most sought-after stars.

Lucerne made a storming start to the new Swiss Super League season with a 4-0 hammering of St Gallen, while Sion won 2-0 at Bellinzona.

Sebastien Le Toux converted a penalty in injury time to give Philadelphia a 2-1 win over Toronto, while Columbus brushed aside New York.

Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino has been re-appointed for another four years following success at South Africa 2010 as the team reached the quarter-finals for the first time.

Luiz Felipe Scolari made a triumphant return to the Brazilian Campeonato, then ruled himself out of the running for the national job, as Palmeiras beat Santos 2-1.

Leaders Corinthians and second-placed Ceara drew as the Brasileirao resumed, while Cruzeiro and Flamengo won to move up to fifth and sixth respectively.

Barcelona have announced that coach Pep Guardiola will stay with the club for at least one more season after his last contract expired at the end of June.

South Africa 2010 was bursting with unprecedented events in a whole range of areas, from team results to player landmarks. FIFA.com now takes you through a full list of firsts.

Spain's run of 1-0 victories, a long wait for an extra-time goal ending, and European teams' success in their maiden Final all feature in this statistical review.

The Netherlands and Spain meet at Soccer City in the Final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on Sunday. The match, which will end with a new name on the Trophy, promises to be an enthralling spectacle.

Marcos Senna was an anchor in Spain's midfield when they crowned themselves kings of Europe in 2008, but young Sergio Busquets is filling those boots nicely at South Africa 2010.

Franz Beckenbauer, one of Germany's greatest football players and managers, is impressed by the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and sees this as a new era for the host nation.

It will come as no consolation to heartbroken Germany fans, but at least Paul, the country's now world-famous "Octopus oracle", has maintained his perfect record.

In a repeat of the UEFA EURO 2008 final, Spain and Germany will lock horns on Wednesday night for the right to join the Netherlands in the Final of South Africa 2010.

Germany coach Joachim Low feels that his team's strong performance at South Africa 2010 is a reflection of the increased quality of play in the Bundesliga.

The Brazilian Football Federation have confirmed Dunga has been dismissed following the country's elimination from the FIFA World Cup™.

Veteran defender Andre Ooijer has revealed a new-found affection for the No13 shirt, and his belief that the Netherlands can win the coveted Trophy.

Defender Marco Motta will join Juventus at their pre-season training camp in Pinzolo after the club announced he was joining from Udinese.

Paraguayan 'grandad' Denis Caniza has only appeared once so far at South Africa 2010 but has a chance to face Spain for the third time in a finals.

Bolton manager Own Coyle annoucned the club's first two signings of the summer - Robbie Black and Bulgarian midfielder Martin Petrov.

When you get to the quarter finals of any tournament you start to get the better sides and you don't get that many better than these two and these two will give us a good game.

It might not be the most open game but for all round football, I think it will be great and with the quality in both these teams we should see a winner in ninety minutes and if we don't, that will be very interesting in itself - especially if we don't see any goals.

Spain, many observers' tip for the title, face a tough last 16 test against neighbours Portugal, while Group F winners Paraguay take on Asia's sole remaining representatives, Japan.

All the pressure will be on the Netherlands and Brazil when they take on Slovakia and Chile, teams who have already achieved a measure of success in reaching the last 16.

Two epic match-ups mark the second day of Round of 16 action with England meeting old foes Germany, and Argentina reprising their 2006 encounter against Mexico.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will enter the first round of knockout matches with Uruguay and Korea Republic opening proceedings followed by USA meeting Ghana.

Forward Jermain Defoe said that he was nothing but nerves the night before he scored the goal that sent England through to the Round of 16.

Landon Donovan and coach Bob Bradley talked about the midfielder's growth and the dramatic victory over Algeria that sent the USA through to the last 16.

CONMEBOL's finest have stolen the show so far in South Africa with Uruguay and Argentina winning their groups and Paraguay, Brazil and Chile top of theirs.

Uruguay and Argentina begin the day as leaders of Group A and Group B respectively, but with no-one yet assured of a last 16 place or consigned to elimination, there is still plenty to play for.

Switzerland forward Blaise Nkufo talks to FIFA about his return from international exile, Ottmar Hitzfeld's work as coach, and the significance of Africa's first FIFA World Cup.