BBC Sport - World Cup 2010 - Fixtures and results Fixtures and results Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text commentary Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Watch live, listen live and follow live text commentary 12 Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Watch live, listen live and follow live text commentary Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text commentary Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text commentary 13 Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Watch live, listen live and follow live text commentary Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text commentary Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text commentary 14 Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text commentary Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Watch live, listen live and follow live text commentary Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Watch live, listen live and follow live text commentary 15 Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Watch live, listen live and follow live text commentary Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text

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 win 5-3 on penalties Paraguay v Japan Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text commentary Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Watch live, listen live and follow live text commentary 30 Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text commentary Uruguay win 4-2 on penalties Uruguay v Ghana Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text commentary 3 Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Watch live, listen live and follow live text commentary Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Watch live, listen live and follow live text commentary 4 Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text commentary 7 Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Watch live, Listen live, follow live text commentary 8 Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Listen live, follow live text commentary 11 - Final Radio: BBC Radio 5 live Online: Watch live, Listen live, follow live text commentary Copyright © 2017 BBC.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. Spain 1-0 Portugal Spain 1-0 Portugal By Chris Whyatt & Jonathan Stevenson 18:05 Commentary So, after the warm-up band, the headline act. "Ladies and gentleman," says I, adopting Michael Buffer gravitas. "In the red corner, the reigning European champions and protectors of The Beautiful Game - Spain . In the green corner, yes. It's the world's most expensive footballer, Real Madrid's £80m male model / winger Cristiano Ronaldo (and 10 other Portuguese players). Let's. Get. Reeeeady. To. Ruuuuuuu………." You know the rest. 18:11 Commentary Portugal much more than a one-man team, of course, what with six different players knocking seven goals past North Korea without reply. Spooky.

BBC pundit and former Netherlands midfield general Clarence Seedorf had the same thought process as myself in previewing this match, or vice versa. Please do take a look at his boxing-themed montage ahead of this 'All-Iberian heavyweight clash' . Kick off is at 1930 BST. Can they give us something to rival one of the greatest sporting contests ever held on African soil, the Rumble in the Jungle ? Who's to take the Foreman tag? Will a Muhammad Ali take a step towards immortality? 18:20 Commentary Important not to shamelessly over-hype matches at course, but also important not to undersell them. Bucking what appears a popular trend, I'd say Paraguay's eventual victory over Japan on penalties was in no way as hideous as suggested. On the brink of a historic World Cup quarter-final, every single player tried his heart out. And, unfortunately, both teams showed more invention and collective nous than England. Well done to the South Americans. But let's look ahead now.

Text me your Spain-Portugal thoughts on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide), or join the debate on 606 . For example, can Torres sort his form out? SMS Paul in London: " David Villa to prove tonight why he's regarded as the world's best striker." 18:30 Commentary Teams are in: SPAIN: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 3-Gerard Pique, 5-Carles Puyol, 11-Joan Capdevila; 14-Xabi Alonso, 8-Xavi, 6-Andres Iniesta, 16-Sergio Busquets; 9-Fernando Torres, 7-David Villa.

PORTUGAL: 1-Eduardo; 2-Bruno Alves, 21-Ricardo Costa, 6-Ricardo Carvalho, 23-Fabio Coentrao, 16-Raul Meireles, 15-Pepe, 19-Tiago, 7-Cristiano Ronaldo, 11-Simao Sabrosa, 18-Hugo Almeida. 18:38 Commentary Fernando Torres has looked like a man who's had two knee operations in the past few months at this World Cup. But he starts. Good on Spain boss Del Bosque. He knows class is permanent. It's as you were actually, after their victory over Chile. Portugal are back to their first-choice XI after the bore draw with Brazil. Simao Sabrosa returns in place of Duda, and Hugo Almeida is restored to the attack. Less than an hour until kick off in Cape Town.

606 Alexandereski : "Tonight will be, possibly: a) good football, b) boring as one side nullifies the other, or c) a mass audition for a Shakespearean tragedy." 18:52 Commentary You must take a look at this map of the route to the final . It's frightening. Well, what I mean is that Spain might meet Argentina in the semis. Yep, frightening. Xavi against Messi. Torres against, erm, Gutierrez. What an incredible match that would be, and I do stress would. Don't want to get ahead of ourselves do we? That fixture (next Wednesday) could be Germany against Paraguay. SMS Wayne in Northern Ireland: "Spain have more match-winning players, and a greater depth of squad, than Portugal. They also have the averageness of Torres just waiting to hit some form, possibly tonight?" 19:00 Commentary That's it from me Chris Whyatt, punching over a short incisive pass infield a la Andres Iniesta to Jonathan Stevenson in Johannesburg. What will he do with it? 19:04 Commentary Mis-controlled, ran out of play. Classic Jonathan Stevenson .

Anyway, I think this is probably the most excited I’ve been before a World Cup game since, ooh, maybe the final four years ago. Welcome back to the host city of this year’s final, Joburg - refresh your page and let the mayhem ensue. 19:06 Commentary Let’s start with a stat: Spain and Portugal have NEVER met in a World Cup game before, I kid you not. They have met in a major competition before though, twice – in Euro 1984 they drew 1-1 in the group stage, while at Euro 2004 Portugal won 1-0 thanks to a Nuno Gomes goal. That was the last time these boys went tete-a-tete. 19:09 Commentary Are you seriously telling me you’ve got nothing to say about Spain or Portugal or the World Cup? I steadfastly refuse to believe you.

Empty your thoughts thus: by tweeting, as people do these days @Stevo_football ; by texting, which people did more before Twitter came along, to 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide); and on the 606 page of truth, which will ever be so. Contributor BBC Sport's Chris Bevan "Fantastic atmosphere at Cape Town Stadium already - Spanish and Portugal fans are here in numbers tonight. I'm sat next to Alan Shearer, who predicts a tight win for the European champions - 2-1 or 1-0. I think he's right, this one is going to be very close indeed." Contributor BBC Sport's Jurgen Klinsmann "We expect Spain to control the game and so the only way to beat them is to play quickly on the break." 606 From Dave: "Two defensive formations here. Very little width in the Spanish team and Busquets and Alonso will probably sit very deep. Portugal have six defenders in their starting line-up.

Wouldn't surprise me if this went to penos after 120 minutes of tactical chess aka tedium." 19:15 Commentary Legendary Spanish pundit Guillem Balague: "I exchanged text messages with a few of the Spain players before the game. They would have preferred to play Japan in the quarter-final, should they get through. As for Spain's rivalry with Portugal? It's like Chelsea and Fulham. Not that big a deal." 19:17 Commentary Two years ago today, Spain ended 44 years of hurt by winning Euro 2008, rounding off a glorious tournament with a Fernando Torres goal in a 1-0 victory over Germany. But today, debate rages in Spain as to whether a nowhere-near fully-fit Torres should even be in the team. And here’s a sentence you never thought you’d read: some esteemed pundits have even dared to compare the Liverpool frontman with England carthorse Emile Heskey. Which makes me ponder this: If Torres is El Nino, what weather phenomenon best describes Heskey? Twitter From hemil_3000: "I want Spain to win to see a Spain-Argentina semi-final.

Imagine, what will Messi think of playing against his Barcelona team?" 19:20 Commentary Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz: “It is a regional rivalry between the teams and it is also a social, cultural and historical rivalry between two nations. Therefore the game between Portugal and Spain is always a mouth-watering game, I'm sure of that. Just like 'derbies' between, say, England and Germany." 19:21 Commentary Spain coach Vicente del Bosque: “I don't think we should become obsessed with Ronaldo. We have to centre our attention on Portugal as a team because they have shown defensively and offensively that they are a very competent squad. Thanks to the work carried out by their coach, Carlos Queiroz, they have come to this World Cup in top form.” Contributor BBC Sport's Jurgen Klinsmann "Cristiano Ronaldo will want to show people around the world that he is better than Lionel Messi. He is having a very good tournament so far, but now is the moment to step it up a level.

He seems very disciplined." 19:24 Commentary Led by the referee, Argentine Hector Baldassi, and the captains, Iker Casillas of Spain and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, the teams emerge at the Cape Town Stadium. Oh it's almost too exciting. Get the anthems in. Contributor BBC Sport's Chris Bevan "I arrived a bit later than usual for this game, mainly because I was talking to Jurgen Klinsmann beforehand, with him telling me how England can learn from the way he helped German football bounce back after they had a disastrous tournament at Euro 2004. That is not the kind of conversation you want to rush away from, obviously, but it meant I had to battle through throngs of Portuguese and Spanish fans on my way into the ground - for this, my first Iberian derby. I'd been told it's along the lines of Brazil-Argentina and England-Germany and, with a billing like that, it surely can't be a game that will disappoint, can it?" 19:28 Commentary Legendary Spanish pundit Guillem Balague: "Even if Xabi Alonso had been injured, Cesc Fabregas would still not have started.

It's his second World Cup for Spain and he's having a frustrating time." 19:30 KICK-OFF Spain v Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas (captaining his country for the 51st time tonight, a new national record), team-mates at Real Madrid, shake hands, exchange pennants and embrace warmly, and then Hector Baldassi gets us under way in Cape Town. Come on. Contributor BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson "Straight away it's Cristiano Ronaldo on the right and Simao on the left, so they've changed." 2 mins Commentary Fernando Torres cuts in from the left and curls a shot goalwards for Spain, the out-of-form striker seeing his effort tipped away by a sprawling Eduardo. 3 mins Commentary Whatever Fernando can do - David Villa cuts in from the Spain left this time and his shot bounces in front of Eduardo, who pushes it away from danger. Good, threatening start from the Euro 2008 champions. Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Graham Taylor "I deliberately counted. There were 19 passes in that Spain move." Contributor BBC Sport's Chris Bevan "The first goal is going to be very important.

Portugal simply hate conceding goals - they have kept clean sheets in 22 of their last 26 games. So, they are going to keep a tight ship, but if they score first, then expect them to park the bus. Spain? If they play to their potential, they will win. It’s as simple as that. The good news for them is that Fernando Torres and David Villa are looking very lively already." 7 mins Commentary Pretty impressive start by Spain, I wonder when they'll let Portugal play with their ball too. David Villa again cuts in from the left and again shoots low, this time towards the near post, with Eduardo saving well. 9 mins Commentary Better from Portugal as they get the ball in the Spain area a couple of times, but nothing comes of it. They look a bit more settled, though. 10 mins Commentary Cristiano Ronaldo finds some space and flings over a cross from the Portuguese right, but it's a bit too far ahead of Hugo Almeida and runs out of play. Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Graham Taylor "There are some opportunities, perhaps half-chances, now falling to Portugal. Let's hope it continues.

We don’t want to see any more dull football at this World Cup." 12 mins Commentary Xavi turns sharply on a sixpence and whips a shot just over from a quickly-taken corner from the Spain right. SMS From Terry, Chichester. "(See 19:17) Weather system to describe Emile Heskey? The gulf (in class) stream." 16 mins Commentary Spain look quite happy just popping the ball around the surface in Cape Town, they're back into their usual rhythm, but so far there's no end product. Contributor BBC Sport's Chris Bevan "Spain just keep coming forward, playing the slick passing game they are so good at, and they have already brought three good saves out of Eduardo. They also had a penalty shout turned down when Fabio Coentrao blocked off Fernando Torres but Alan Shearer, sat to my right, felt it was nailed on. He’s currently singing the praises of David Villa, by the way." 18 mins Commentary Cristiano Ronaldo tries a free-kick from fully 40 yards, out to the left, but it bounces into the arms of Iker Casillas.

Ronaldo should really know better than to try and beat Casillas from there. 20 mins Commentary Xavi finds Fernando Torres on the right-hand angle of the Portugal penalty area, but he doesn't look like he knows what to do and after a couple of stepovers, the two defenders standing in his way mop up with minimum fuss. 21 mins Commentary Fabio Coentrao, the best left-back at the World Cup, starts a great move for Portugal with a brilliant run into the Spain half and when he tees up Tiago, his 25-yard blast is pushed into the air by Iker Casillas. When it drops, Casillas has to get back quickly to push it away from a leaping Hugo Almeida. Nervy moments for the Spanish. Twitter From JonesMike101: "He's the Portuguese Gareth Bale, young Fabio Coentrao. Up and down that line like lightning. Smooth name too." 25 mins Commentary Almost a gorgeous passing move from Spain, but Xavi's pass into the area on the left is a fraction too heavy for David Villa to reel in and it goes out of play.

Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Graham Taylor "It's almost as if Portugal are saying: 'Whilst you've got the ball in front of us, we're not that bothered.' Spain ought to release their forward pass a little bit earlier. That would cause them more problems." 28 mins Commentary Hmm. Cristiano Ronaldo fizzes one in from 37 yards (telly just told me) and it's moving about all over the place - Iker Casillas cannot hold it and Gerard Pique has to get in quickly to head away. Ooh, that cheeky Jabulani. 31 mins Commentary It might still be goalless, but it's utterly absorbing in Cape Town. They are still feeling each other out a little, as Xavi tries to get the ball to bend back in from 25 yards but watches the Jabulani fly straight as a die out of play.

SMS Sam, Glastonbury: "Who is this imposter and what have you done with the real Andreas Iniesta?" Contributor BBC Sport's Chris Bevan "You’ve got to feel sorry for Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who is having to deal with a) Cristiano Ronaldo free-kicks and b) this World Cup ball - it moves around enough as it is, without the £80m man pinging them in from ridiculous distances. The bad news for Casillas is that Ronaldo seems to be finding his range too." 36 mins Commentary Spain are still knocking it around, but there's not much tempo to the game as there was in the early stages. Portugal are proving once again they are a very difficult team to try and play through. Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Graham Taylor "Twice now, probably more, Alonso has mis-controlled the ball. But his desire to win it back is absolutely first-class. I can only assume he learnt that in the Premier League." 39 mins Commentary It's looking a little like the Switzerland game at the moment, worryingly for Spain.

They have pressed for the last 10 minutes, yet it is Portugal who attack, Simao who crosses, and Hugo Almeida who heads wide from six yards when he probably should have scored. 41 mins Commentary Portugal are committing fouls in clever areas of the pitch and stealing the ball back when Spain try to attack, it's a very intelligent performance from Carlos Queiroz's side at the moment. Contributor BBC Sport's Chris Bevan "'Portugal aren’t pretty but they are very stubborn.' That’s what Alan Shearer just told me to write anyway, and I can't help but agree. I note that Portugal have 11 men behind the ball - can Spain break them down? 'It might take time but they’re relentless. They just keep chipping away.'" 43 mins Commentary Very good goalkeeping from Iker Casillas - after Eduardo claims a corner he throws it out very quickly and with the Spanish defenders dawdling, Casillas races 35 yards out of his goal to boot it out. When Portugal take the quick throw, the cross is headed wide by Tiago. Going forward, they are by far the more dangerous of the two teams.

44 mins Commentary Spain are getting desperate already - Gerard Pique tries a right-foot shot from 30 yards, but it hits a defender. 45 mins INJURY TIME Andres Iniesta nips into some space and finds Fernando Torres, but his movement is a bit sluggish and Ricardo Carvalho mops up with ease. Into a minute of added time. 20:16 HALF-TIME Spain 0-0 Portugal It's not dull, that's for sure, but it hasn't yet come to life. Portugal will be the happier of the two teams. Contributor BBC Sport's Alan Hansen "It's very watchable. Portugal survived a Spanish onslaught at the start, but then the Portuguese came right back into it and had the better of the chances. Also, Iker Casillas has looked very edgy." Contributor BBC Sport's Jurgen Klinsmann "What has surprised me is that after a bright start David Villa has not been in the game.

And if he isn't, he should swap sides, because they are doubling up on him on the left now." Contributor BBC Sport's Chris Bevan "Alan Shearer just told me he would have buried both those Portuguese headed chances before half-time and I have to agree with him (he is sitting next to me after all). Spain might have had the lions' share of possession and created most of the openings but they could easily be behind. As it stands, this game is finely poised at the break, and the Portuguese resistance shows no sign of breaking. In fact, Spain look more likely to crack first." 606 From IonicJohn: "Spain need to do a lot more than this in order to win the match. Portugal are just waiting to steal this game on one successful counter-attack." Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Graham Taylor "Sometimes Ronaldo can try too hard. But that doesn’t serve a purpose, as he tends to hold onto the ball instead of releasing it earlier. This is a game on edge - and it can go either way." SMS Isabel, Sunbury: "Sick and tired of all the comments about Spain. Portugal are playing well and a clever game, we have just as many chances of winning.

Let's not forget we finished fourth in the last World Cup and are currently number three in Fifa's world ranking. Come on Portugal!!! We can do it boys." 20:34 Commentary Spain 0-0 Portugal Back under way after an 18-minute interval in Cape Town. Get in touch will you, by the way? Send us a text to 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide); hit me a tweet @Stevo_football and join in the fun on 606 . Do it for Iberia. 47 mins Commentary Same same. Spain have ball, Spain try to create an opening, Portugal counter with pace. Fabio Coentrao tackles Fernando Torres expertly - Torres is so out of sorts. 49 mins Commentary Just for a split-second it looks like Andres Iniesta might have a shooting chance on the edge of the Portugal box, but Raul Meireles gets in double fast to nick the ball away.

Twitter From thekingofnothin: "This is crying out for Navas, Silva, Mata or Pedro to give the Spanish some width, stretch the game and free Villa up more." 52 mins Commentary Ooof that was close. Portugal break with electric pace again and Hugo Almeida's cross from the left is deflected by Carles Puyol - it loops horribly into the air and for a second Iker Casillas thinks it is falling in, but it's inches wide of the far post. 54 mins Commentary Spain are being so patient trying to work an opening and David Villa tees up Andres Iniesta on the edge of the box, but his shot is blocked. Portugal are working their collective socks off. Contributor BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson "They are extremely well-drilled, Portugal - they funnel everyone down the middle and make it hard for Spain to play through them. But Spain have got to come up with something different." 57 mins Commentary David Villa tries to play a one-two with Andres Iniesta, but the striker goes to ground too easily and there's nothing doing for referee Hector Baldassi.

59 mins SUBSTITUTION A substitution apiece - Portugal send on Danny for Hugo Almeida, while Spain curiously haul off Fernando Torres and bring on like-for-like Fernando Llorente. 606 From PanasonicVieira : "Spain need to get Ramos and Capdevila to be more advanced and supply width. Otherwise it's comfortable for Portugal." 61 mins Commentary My word that's a chance for a young man to make his name. Fernando Llorente gets on the end of a Sergio Ramos cross from the right but his header is straight at Eduardo from five yards, while moments later David Villa drills narrowly wide from 22 yards. Good spell from the Spanish. 63 mins GOAL Spain 1-0 Portugal It feels like Euro 2008 again. Spain play some quickfire passes on the edge of the box, with Andres Inietsa at the heart of it, and after Xavi's flick puts David Villa in on the left, his first shot is saved by Eduardo and his second hits the underside of the bar and bounces the right side of the line for Spain.

65 mins Commentary There is just a slight doubt over whether David Villa was onside from Xavi's flick, but maybe the assistant just wanted to see Portugal come out and play? Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Graham Taylor "The intricacy of Spain's movement and passing there - the intricacy of that back-flick. Very, very good." 68 mins Commentary So, no clean sheet for Portugal today, after 20 in 24 games since Carlos Queiroz took over. But what can the former Real Madrid boss conjure up in an attacking sense? Cristiano Ronaldo has hardly had a kick this half. Contributor BBC Sport's Chris Bevan "That goal was just what this game needed. It seemed that Portugal were choking the life out of the Spaniards but Fernando Llorente’s introduction brought Vicente del Bosque's side to life and, after a flurry of chances, David Villa has given them that vital first goal.

Time to see what Portugal have got in the locker when they have to come out and attack rather than simply soak up pressure - things should get very interesting from here on in." 70 mins Commentary Now it's Spain's turn to break with pace as Andres Iniesta sends Sergio Ramos away down the right and he cuts inside, cuts on to his left foot and slams a shot towards the far corner that Eduardo tips behind for a corner. 72 mins Commentary Portugal make a double substitution, with Pepe and Simao coming off and Pedro Mendes and Liedson coming on instead. Contributor BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson "I can only think that those changes are to try and get more service to Cristiano Ronaldo, because he hasn't had the ball at all." 74 mins YELLOW CARD Spain pick up their first yellow card of the tournament - and first since a friendly against France on 3 March, after Xabi Alonso brings down Pedro Mendes.

SMS Mauricio Espinosa, linesman: "I think you'll find that Villa's goal hit the wrong side of the line." 76 mins Commentary Portugal have some space to attack down their left, but as Fabio Coentrao bombs on from left-back, Carles Puyol gets in one of his magnificently timed tackles and before you know it, the ball is back with Iker Casillas. He's made a living out of those. 77 mins Commentary It's probably fair to say David Villa knows how to hit a football. From all of 30 yards he connects with one properly and it hurtles towards goal, Eduardo managing to react quickly enough to parry it away. Crikey that was travelling. Contributor BBC Radio 5 live's Darren Fletcher "Since the goal, Sergio Ramos is almost playing as an outside-right for Spain." 79 mins YELLOW CARD Portugal are running out of time in Cape Town. Though to be fair to them, at 1-0 down against one of the best teams in history at keeping the ball, this probably isn't much fun. Tiago is booked for fouling David Villa. Twitter From araevoi: "Bad management by Queiroz.

Ronaldo's talents & energy are wasted lying in wait so high up the pitch for 'that' chance." 83 mins Commentary Portugal get the ball, but Pedro Mendes asks way too much of Cristiano Ronaldo and within the blink of an eye Spain have it back. Contributor BBC Sport's Chris Bevan "Portugal are looking a bit desperate to me now - and they are struggling to get the ball off Spain, let alone create chances for an equaliser. Alan Shearer has been very impressed by the Spanish approach tonight. 'They have got loads of confidence now after scoring but you still have to admire the way they have been passing it around all game - it is awesome.'" 85 mins Commentary Cristiano Ronaldo chests down a long pass and gets inside Joan Capdevila, only to go down under a challenge from the defender - but there's no free-kick for the £80m man, and he rightly looks a little aggrieved. 87 mins Commentary David Villa swings a cross over from the left and Fernando Llorente's header drifts inches wide of Eduardo's left-hand post. They probably deserve to win by a couple, Spain - Portugal have offered so little.

88 mins SUBSTITUTION Spain striker David Villa gets a great ovation as he makes way for the last few moments, with Pedro coming on. Suddenly there's a chance for Portugal, but Danny's shot from 18 yards is brilliantly blocked by Joan Capdevila. 89 mins RED CARD Ricardo Costa (Portugal) This is unseemly. Joan Capdevila goes down under a suspected off-the-ball challenge from Costa, and the referee shows a red card to the Portugal defender. Initial replays don't seem to show anything, but it's not very clear at the moment. 90 mins INJURY TIME We're into three minutes of injury time in Cape Town. Shame so many games have to end like this, isn't it? 90 mins SUBSTITUTION Bruno Alves is furious with Joan Capdevila - there's no doubt Portugal think the full-back got Ricardo Costa sent off. Spain take Xabi Alonso off and send on Carlos Marchena. Seconds remaining. 21:22 FULL-TIME Spain 1-0 Portugal Horrible end to the game, but the right team have gone through. Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal's World Cup is over.

21:24 Commentary Spain's players are absolutely delighted, but Portugal keeper Eduardo is inconsolable on the ground. Contributor BBC Sport's Alan Hansen "I'm delighted, because it's undoubtedly a victory for attacking football. Portugal defended brilliantly, but they didn't know how to chase the game." Contributor BBC Sport's Jurgen Klinsmann "It must have been so frustrating for Cristiano Ronaldo, he had no service and no goalscoring chances. Why did they not have a Plan B for being 1-0 down against Spain? I don't understand." 21:28 Commentary OK, here's what I think about the sending off of Ricardo Costa: we cannot tell whether he makes contact with Joan Capdevila, but he does go to swing his elbow and he's been stupid at the very best. Capdevila's behaviour, on the other hand, is abhorrent - he goes down as if he's been killed, moves to get up a second later, and then goes down again as if he's been killed when he sees the referee coming over. It's disgusting.

Contributor BBC Sport's Clarence Seedorf "If he doesn't touch the player with his elbow, he's been sent off for intent." Contributor BBC Sport's Chris Bevan "Impressive stuff by the Spanish, who had to be patient to wait for their chance against Portugal but never looked back once they had taken the lead. Fernando Torres may be out of sorts but David Villa cannot stop scoring and Spain are looking in ominous form as they move into the last eight. It might have been a different story had Portugal taken one of their first-half chances but ultimately they were second best to their Iberian neighbours on the night. Contributor Legendary Spanish pundit Guillem Balague: "This was a show of maturity from Spain. You wait for your moment. There were a lot of question marks. Many of them were answered tonight. The debate begins now on whether Torres will start in the quarter-final." SMS From Anon: "Spain might be a good team to watch football-wise, but I have seen them get two players sent off for no reason and I hate the way they ask the ref to card people." With you there. So needless.

21:38 Commentary World Cup quarter-finals: Netherland v Brazil Football World Cup winners list | FIFA soccer WC champion teams, history Football World Cup winners list Published on Jun 20, 2014 Take a close look at the greatest football teams on earth: the FIFA World Cup champions. The World Cup, also known as the Mundial or Copa do Mundo, has been held 19 times since it inaugural tournament in 1930. It has been won by eight different teams, with Brazil having the most World Cup titles with five, followed by Italy with four, and West Germany with three. Argentina and Uruguay have two titles each while England, France, and Spain have one title. Below is a year-by-year account of all the World Cup champion teams. 1930 FIFA World Cup Final score: Uruguay 4-2 Argentina Host country: Uruguay The 1930 World Cup was staged in Uruguay and it was the host country that won the championship. In the final match, the Uruguayans saw themselves trailing behind Argentina by 2-1 but managed to turn things around in the second half by scoring three goals. Uruguay became the first World Cup winner with a 4-2 score.

1934 FIFA World Cup Final score: Italy 2-1 Czechoslovakia (Extra time) Host country: Italy The 1934 World Cup was once again won by the host country and this time it was Italy that took the trophy. Playing against Czechoslovakia, Italy imposed a very tough defense but the visiting team breached the Italian line in the 70th to lead 1-0. Italy retaliated to make the game 1-1 before the end of regulation and bagged the win in overtime by a 2-1 tally. 1938 FIFA World Cup Final score: Italy 4-2 Hungary Host country: France Italy retained its crown in the 1938 World Cup in France. In the final match against Hungary, the Italians broke clear with a 3-1 score at halftime and finished the game 4-2. 1950 FIFA World Cup Final score: Uruguay 2-1 Brazil Host country: Brazil The World Cup was not staged again until 1950 because of the Second World War. Played in Brazil, this edition of the Mundial saw one of the biggest upsets in football history when the host country lost to the Uruguay football team.

Brazil was highly favored to win in the final match with Uruguay, which was lowly rated after not qualifying in the two previous World Cups. The Brazilians scored two minutes into the second half and everything seemed to be going well for them. However, Uruguay tied on the 66th minute mark and scored anew on the 79th to steal the 1950 World Cup trophy. 1954 FIFA World Cup Final score: West Germany 3-2 Hungary Host country: Switzerland The 1954 World Cup saw another major upset: In the group stage, the Hungarians trashed West Germany 8-3 and was highly favored to win when the two teams met again in the final. Scoring two goals after only eight minutes, the Hungarian football team looked like they were on a smooth way to the Mundial trophy. However, West Germany equalized within the first half and, just five minutes before the end of regulation, broke away with another goal to win 3-2. 1958 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 5-2 Sweden Host country: Sweden Host Sweden matched up against Brazil in the final of the 1958 World Cup.

The Swedish football team opened the scoring but found themselves trailing by 2-1 at the end of the first half. Brazil played top-class football for the rest of the second half and finished the game 5-2. Brazil’s successful campaign was spurred by one of the greatest footballers in history , Pele, who played his first Mundial in this year. 1962 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia Host country: Chile In the 1962 World Cup, Brazil faced Czechoslovakia in the final match without its goal-scoring genius, Pele, as he was injured in the first round. The Czechoslovakians struck the first goal but the Brazilians showed their offensive flare to emerge as victors with a 3-1 score. This was the second of five World Cup trophies in the Brazilian football team’s history. 1966 FIFA World Cup Final score: England 4-2 West Germany (Extra time) Host country: England England faced West Germany at the final of the 1966 World Cup. The Germans found the back of the net first but the English equalized by halftime, 1-1.

In the second half, the English pulled away with a goal’s lead but West Germany scored before the end of regulation to take the game into overtime with a 2-2 score. Englishman Geoff Hurst, who had one goal in regulation, scored twice in overtime to make England World Cup winners and to become the only player ever to score a hat trick in a Mundial final. The 1966 victory is the only World Cup trophy in the English football team’s history as of present. 1970 FIFA World Cup Final score: Italy 3-1 West Germany Host country: Spain The 1982 World Cup title is the third of Italy. It was not an easy one, as the Italians barely survived elimination in the first round. The first half of the final game did not prove to be inspiring either, as Italy missed a penalty that would have opened the scoring. However, Italy managed to squeeze a goal on the 56th minute and followed it up with two more goals to lead 3-0. West Germany scored a goal in the 82nd minute to finish the game honorably, 3-1.

1986 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 0-0 Italy (3-2 pen) Host country: United States The 1994 World Cup, held in the United States, is the fourth occasion that Brazil would rip the highest honor in football. In the final match, neither Brazil nor its opponent, Italy, scored in the regulation and extra periods so the game was forced into a penalty shootout. Both sides missed on their first attempt but Brazil converted its following shots while Italy suffered two more misses to lose 3-2 in the shootout. The biggest disappointment came to Italian football hero Roberto Baggio, who led his team throughout the tournament only to miss his chance from the penalty spot in the final game. 1998 FIFA World Cup Final score: France 3-0 Brazil Host country: France The 1998 World Cup trophy was competed between 32 teams and it was France that emerged triumphant. The French survived the quarter finals through a penalty shootout against Italy and defeated Croatia in the semis with a 2-1 score. They went on to the final to square up with Brazil.

The final belonged to French football legend Zinedine Zidane who scored two goals in regulation to make victory imminent for the host country. His efforts were complemented by Emmanuel Petit, who added another goal in stoppage period. The match ended 3-0 for the first World Cup title in France’s football squad history. 2002 FIFA World Cup Final score: Brazil 2-0 Germany Host country: South Korea & Japan The 2002 World Cup was the first to be held in Asia and saw Brazil become the winner once again. Ronaldo scored both of Brazil’s goals to surge pass Germany 2-0 in the final match. The brilliant striker finished as 2002 top scorer but it was the football goalkeeping legend Oliver Kahn of Germany who bagged the award for the tournament’s best player, the Golden Ball.

(This World Cup, with Korea and Japan as hosts, is the first to be hosted by two nations.) 2006 FIFA World Cup 1930-2010: History of the World Cup - Sportsnet.ca Presented by: 1930-2010: History of the World Cup Pele is hoisted on shoulders of his teammates after Brazil beat Italy in the 1970 World Cup final. (AP) June 8, 2014, 1:55 PM John Molinaro June 8, 2014, 1:55 PM The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet. Nothing compares to it. Not the Stanley Cup. Not the Super Bowl. Not the World Series. Not the Olympics. Nothing. But how did the World Cup come to be the biggest show on earth? Sportsnet offers this comprehensive history of the World Cup, looking at the birth of the competition and reviewing each and every tournament. From humble beginnings: The birth of the World Cup Soccer is the world game, the beautiful game, and the World Cup is its showcase event, surpassing even the Olympics in terms of popularity, size and spectacle.

|| READ THE FULL STORY 1930 World Cup: Uruguay welcomes the soccer world Uruguay welcomed and then conquered the world, using home-field advantage to defeat South American rivals Argentina in the final of the inaugural World Cup. || READ THE FULL STORY 1934 World Cup: Italy wins for Il Duce Buoyed by the hometown crowds—and possibly the undue influence of dictator Benito Mussolini—Italy won the first of its four World Cups, defeating Czechoslovakia in the final in Rome. || READ THE FULL STORY 1938 World Cup: Italy repeats as champions Vittorio Pozzo cemented his legend as one of the greatest national team managers by guiding the Azzurri to a win over Hungary in Paris as Italy became the first country to repeat as champions. || READ THE FULL STORY 1950 World Cup: Getting back on track after World War II The modern era of the World Cup was born in 1950 as Uruguay reclaimed soccer's greatest prize for the first time in 20 years after beating Brazil in Rio, sending the country into a state of national mourning.

|| READ THE FULL STORY 1954 World Cup: The Miracle of Bern In a World Cup that many thought would serve as the coronation of a Hungary side that won the Olympics and swept aside all before them in the buildup to the tournament, West Germany stunned the field to come out on top in Switzerland in 1954. || READ THE FULL STORY 1958 World Cup: The legend of Pele is born A 17-year-old Pele announced his presence to the world at the 1958 World Cup by guiding Brazil to victory over Sweden in the final in Stockholm. || READ THE FULL STORY 1962 World Cup: Brazil wins again With Pele injured for most of the tournament, Brazil flew on the wings of Garrincha to victory in Chile in 1962, defeating Czechoslovakia in the final to repeat as World Cup champions. || READ THE FULL STORY 1966 World Cup: Football comes homes England vanquished the Germans at Wembley in 1966 to win their only World Cup to date, but not without a bit of controversy. Oh, and Eusebio ran riot for Portugal, scoring hatfuls of goals.

|| READ THE FULL STORY 1970 World Cup: Pele takes his final bow Pele went back on his word never to play in the World Cup again, guiding Brazil to a 4-1 win over Italy in 1970 in Mexico City as the South American nation became the first nation to win the tournament three times. || READ THE FULL STORY 1974 World Cup: Beckenbauer vs. Cruyff Twenty years after the "Miracle of Bern," the Germans were again champions of the world in 1974, defeating the Netherlands on home soil in a battle of Total Football devotees. || READ THE FULL STORY 1978 World Cup: A first title for Argentina Almost 50 years after crossing the River Plate by boat and losing in Uruguay in the inaugural World Cup final, Argentina beat the Netherlands in Buenos Aires and was crowned World champions on home soil. || READ THE FULL STORY 1982 World Cup: Rossi to the rescue for Italy A World Cup of startling upsets, improbable finishes and unmatched drama—with a fair bit of controversy thrown in for good measure—ended with Italy claiming its third title after beating West Germany in Madrid.

|| READ THE FULL STORY 1986 World Cup: The Maradona Show Mexico replaces Colombia as host in 1986, Diego Maradona puts on a one-man show, England cries foul over “The Hand of God,” Canada competes at its first World Cup, and Argentina beats West Germany in the final. || READ THE FULL STORY 1990 World Cup: Beware of the Germans West Germany joined Brazil and Italy as three-time winners after beating Argentina in Rome in the worst World Cup final in history. || READ THE FULL STORY 1994 World Cup: Coming to America The World Cup came to America in 1994 as record crowds watched the tournament unfold, including Brazil’s penalty shootout win over Italy in the final to become the first four-time winner. || READ THE FULL STORY 1998 World Cup: French Revolution Buoyed by Zinedine Zidane and a Golden Generation of players, France finally fulfilled their World Cup dreams in 1998 by beating Brazil in the final.

|| READ THE FULL STORY 2002 World Cup: Brazil and the final frontier The World Cup went to Asia for the first time in 2002, and while South Korea captured the hearts of the locals and neutrals, Brazil ended up winning its fifth title. || READ THE FULL STORY 2006 World Cup: Italy paints the town blue Italy quietly went about its business through the opening rounds before beating hosts Germany in the semifinals and France in the final via penalty shootout. || READ THE FULL STORY 2010 World Cup: Spain win marks new era A World Cup of firsts: South Africa became the first African nation to host the tournament, and Spain became the first new nation to win the competition since France in 1998.

|| READ THE FULL STORY %2Fsoccer%2Fworld-cup-2014%2Ffifa-world-cup-history-brazil-italy-england-argentina-germany-uruguay-france-spain-pele-maradona%2F The footballs during the FIFA World Cup™ 2014 Brazil The brazuca, which means 'Brazilian' and refers to the Brazilian way of life, is the most-tested adidas ball in history. It was, over a two-and-a-half-year period, tried out by over 600 of the world’s top players or former players including Iker Casillas, Dani Alves, Lionel Messi, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Zinedine Zidane, and 30 teams in ten countries across three continents. The brazuca was also used at a selection of international football matches, albeit with a different design, including a friendly between Sweden and Argentina last February. The brazuca’s colours and ribbon design of the ball panels symbolise the traditional multi-coloured wish bracelets worn in the country, in addition to reflecting the vibrancy and fun associated with football in the South American country.

It has a new structural innovation, with a unique symmetry of six identical panels alongside a different surface structure will provide improved grip, touch, stability and aerodynamics on the pitch. 2010 South Africa The adidas Jabulani, which means ‘to celebrate’ in isiZulu, was the official match ball of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and is already the 11th edition of adidas's FIFA World Cup balls. The 11 colours that are present on the Jabulani pay tribute to both football and the country in which Africa’s first-ever FIFA World Cup will be held. Grip 'n' groove Jabulani ushers in some major advances in football technology. The grip ’n’ groove’s profile circles twist around round the entire ball in an optimal aerodynamic way and the integrated grooves provide unmatched flight characteristics, making this the most stable and most accurate adidas ball ever. Minimal seam, more perfection As opposed to the flat-paneled molding of previous adidas footballs, Jabulani comprises eight thermally bonded 3D panels that have been, for the first time ever, spherically molded to make this ball a perfectly round football that is more accurate than ever before.

2006 Germany More than three years of extensive research and development were needed to present the adidas +Teamgeist™, the company’s best performing ball ever. Thanks to a revolutionary 14-panel ball configuration, players were able to show their true skills, as the quality and performance characteristics were identical every time they kicked the ball. The adidas Innovation Team (a.i.t) rigorously tested the new ball for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, first under the toughest laboratory conditions possible, later also with professional players and clubs on the field of play. Scientific tests were conducted together with the Sports Technology Research Group of the University of Loughborough, one of the leading institutions of its kind worldwide. These tests confirmed that the adidas +Teamgeist™ was more round, precise and consistent than any top competitor’s match ball. Italy won their fourth world crown in Germany, beating France on penalties in Berlin. If Zinedine Zidane's red card was the final's defining image, Italy's triumph will be remembered as a team effort, with ten different Azzurri players finding the net during the course of the tournament.

2002 Korea/Japan The ball for the FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ was known as the “Fevernova”. It was the result of three years of improvement on the “Tricolore” at the adidas research centre in Scheinfeld in southern Germany. The material consisted of six layers or coatings starting with a natural latex bladder inside, then a three-ply Raschel knitted fabric, syntactic foam, a polyurethane layer, a protected iriodine print and finally transparent polyurethane abrasion-resistant coating. The adidas triad design had now become two single, enlarged triads with the points turning into clockwise arrows in the colours of grey, red and gold. The background was no longer a traditional pure white but more of a champagne colour. Over 2,500 balls were supplied for the finals and an estimated six million of the high-quality match balls and replica-quality balls were sold worldwide. The final was between the two most successful FIFA World Cup™ nations of all time – Brazil and Germany. Ronaldo’s two second-half goals gave Brazil their fifth FIFA World Cup™ title and firmly put the ghosts of the France ’98 final to rest.

It was a hard-fought and equal match befitting a clash of two of world football’s titans, but Ronaldo had the touch of greatness that separated the two teams in Yokohama, Japan. 1998 France The “Tricolore” used in 1998 was the first coloured ball to be designed for the FIFA World Cup™. Its triads incorporated the symbols of the host nation, France, i.e. a cockerel, a high-speed train and a turbine. The ball itself was based on an entirely new synthetic material featuring “syntactic foam”, claiming to give better compression and more explosive rebound characteristics than its predecessor. The foam was made up of gas-filled micro-bubbles that distributed energy equally when the ball was kicked. This was the final that everyone had hoped for. The world champions against the home nation, but it was a strangely subdued Brazil who took the field, the crowd rife with rumours that there was a fitness problem with Brazil’s star player Ronaldo. France were determined to win on home territory, and they did so easily with two headed goals from their future World Player of the Year, Zinedine Zidane. Emmanuel Petit added a third to make it 3-0.

So, at last France, the home of Jules Rimet, the creator of the FIFA World Cup™ and the team that had been an unlucky semi-finalist in both 1982 and 1986, had got their just deserts and the country partied the night away. 1994 USA The ball was called the “Questra” to indicate the USA’s quest for the stars, so the shapes were incorporated into the triads. The ball itself was developed in France and then thoroughly tested by teams and players in both Europe and the USA. The ball was manufactured from five different materials with a final durable but flexible outer layer made from polyurethane. Brazil met Italy in the final – a repeat of 1970. Brazil were unable to break down the Italian defence even though there were some near misses. Roberto Baggio had been Italy’s star striker in the earlier rounds, but he was suffering with a hamstring injury and was not at his best. At the end of 120 minutes, the score was 0-0. So for the first time, a World Cup final was decided on penalties. Brazil’s Marcio Santos missed, as did Baresi and Massaro for Italy.

Up stepped Baggio to try and level the scores but he fired the ball straight over the top of Taffarel’s goal and Brazil had won their fourth FIFA World Cup™. 1990 Italy The “Etrusco” triads featured an Etruscan lion within their design. The ball was again manufactured entirely from fully synthetic fibre layers, including one of latex to create stability and resistance to tearing, a layer of neoprene to make the ball water-tight and an outer skin of polyurethane for abrasion resistance and good rebound qualities. Argentina met Germany FR – for the second World Cup running – in the final. The only goal in a very poor game came from an 85th-minute penalty after Völler had been brought down in the area. Brehme’s spot kick won the match for the Germans. Two Argentinians were sent off – Monzon for a tackle on Klinsmann and, in the 87th minute, Dezotti was shown the red card when he tried to wrestle the ball off Kohler, whom he considered was trying to waste time. Franz Beckenbauer became only the second man to win a World Cup both as a player and a manager.

1986 Mexico The “Azteca” was a completely new model made of synthetic material in layers, each with different properties to give strength to the ball, help it retain its shape and be fully waterproof. This was also the first ball to feature a unique FIFA World Cup™ design – the triads were based on an Aztec mural. The final was between a workmanlike Germany FR, coached by former captain Franz Beckenbauer, and an inspired Argentina. Argentina were 2-0 up in the second half and appeared to be coasting to victory, but German determination shone through – not for the first time in a World Cup final – and by the 82nd minute they had levelled the score. Willed on by the crowd, Argentina surged forward and captain Maradona sent a perfectly weighted pass into space for Burruchaga, who confidently slotted the ball past Schumacher to make it 3-2. Maradona did not score in the final itself but there was no doubt about who had now inherited the title of the world’s best player.

1982 Spain The “Tango España” designed for Spain 1982 was the first to be made of a mix of real leather and synthetic material. It had a polyurethane coating to provide a more efficient water repellent. No one could accuse Italy of using their traditional defensive tactics in the final against Germany FR. Although they had one of the world’s finest-ever goalkeepers, 40-year-old Dino Zoff, their constant attack left the Germans outclassed. In the 59th minute, Paolo Rossi, who had already scored five goals in the previous two games, put Italy in the lead, diving to head home from a Gentile cross. Italy won 3-1 and missed a penalty to boot! 1978 Argentina By this time, adidas were well into the pattern of choosing names appropriate for the host nation, so “Tango” was the name chosen for the ball used in Argentina in 1978. It was the first to feature the adidas trademark, which was a printed design of interconnected curved-edge triangles known as “triads”. The home team arrived five minutes late on the pitch for the final in Buenos Aires.

This incensed the Dutch, who abandoned their “total football” for a more aggressive game, which was matched by Argentina. It was the ball control of Kempes that made the difference. His second goal was the best, and it came in extra time when he skipped past two defenders and the goalkeeper, beat two more defenders on the line and slotted the ball into the net. Luque scored the final goal to make it 3-1. The Netherlands had the world’s sympathy after losing their second consecutive final, but it was Argentina who lifted the cup in a storm of blue-and-white ticker tape. 1974 Germany The World Cup in Germany FR in 1974 saw a similar design called “Telstar Durlast”. In the final, the hosts were up against the world’s most talented team, the Netherlands. The great Johan Cruyff began the game sensationally with a run from one end of the pitch to the other without a German touching the ball until he was tripped by Hoeness. After scoring from the ensuing penalty, the Dutch, perhaps now overconfident, began to play the ball around the bemused Germans.

But suddenly a penalty was awarded against them when Jansen tripped Breitner – 1-1. Each team then bombarded the other’s goal until just before half time when Bonhof raced down the wing and crossed for Müller to seal the match with his 68th goal for his country ... and to allow that other great German player, Franz Beckenbauer, to lift the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the third attempt. 1970 Mexico Mexico saw the dawn of a new era when adidas began its long-standing partnership with FIFA to supply footballs for all FIFA tournaments. It was also the first time a ball had been given a unique FIFA World Cup™ name appropriate to the time. “Telstar” was a small spherical communications satellite launched from Florida in 1962, but it probably became the most famous satellite of all time partly because of the pop instrumental of the same name, which was a worldwide hit for The Tornados. The 32-panel leather ball with white hexagons and black pentagons bore a strong resemblance to the satellite, which had a light background covered in dark panels.

Many designs have superseded the “Telstar” but it still remains the definitive design used by artists, graphic designers and cartoonists when they want to illustrate a football. adidas delivered a mere 20 balls for use in the finals and sold an estimated 600,000 match balls and replica balls following the tournament. Brazil v. Italy matched attack against defence in the final. Brazil took the lead when Pelé rose high above the defence to score with a spectacular header. A careless back-heel from Clodoaldo let Italy back into the match but soon Gerson hit a low shot to make it 2-1. Jairzinho, the only player to score in every round, ran the ball into the net for a third and captain Carlos Alberto thundered in the fourth with a magnificent, powerful drive. Having won their third final, Brazil rightly claimed the Jules Rimet Trophy as their own. 1966 England The FIFA World Cup™ was held in England in 1966 and The Football Association invited the top manufacturers to supply an unmarked ball each, from which the final choice would be made. Slazenger, a sports manufacturer based in Dewsbury in Yorkshire, was one of the chosen few.

It was decided that Malcolm Wainwright, then 32, who had been making balls since he was 15 and was regarded as the firm’s best stitcher, would produce the sample ball. “I made about 20 balls all told,” he said. “They were 24-panel balls, which meant that there were six panels made up of three long strips of leather but the centre panels of these three strips had a further seam at right angles just to give more strength. I was asked to take extra care over them.” “They checked them for weight but then the manager would also check them over visually. Simply by using his eyes and his experience, he could tell see whether or not the shape was completely round and the seams were perfect. Anyway, he took the best one and sent it down to London.” The balls were laid out on a table in at FA headquarters in London. None were branded, but merely numbered, and were then examined by experts for circumference, loss of pressure, weight, bounce and so on. Happily for Slazenger, their ball was chosen. Wainwright and seven others were tasked with stitching the 300 balls needed for the 1966 FIFA World Cup™.

Each would have written his name inside the ball. This was normal practice for the stitchers because, before sewing the final seam, each ball went to a specialist for the bladder to be inserted and was then returned to the same man for the final seam to be sewn. An important point given that the stitchers were paid on piece work! The actual ball used in England’s 4-2 win over Germany FR in the 1966 final disappeared for many years. It should have gone to Geoff Hurst, the only man ever to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup™ final, but it ended up being taken by the West German player Helmut Haller, whose son apparently kicked it about in his back garden for many years. It is now in the National Football Museum in Preston in England and the only way to find out who made the actual ball would be to unpick a seam and take a look at the name inside – a tempting thought! 1962 Chile The balls used in Chile 1962 did not correspond at all with European standards. During wet weather, there were complaints that the balls were “drinking” water and were losing their colour in the sun.

Indeed, before kick-off in the very first match between Chile and Switzerland, the referee, Ken Aston of England, asked to see the five balls that were to be used for the game. He was so horrified by their parlous, peeling state that he sent for a new ball, which only arrived ten minutes into the second half. Therefore, a number of European balls were quickly used as substitutes for the local brands for many of the remaining matches. In the final, champions Brazil met surprise finalists Czechoslovakia in Santiago. The Czechs scored first. They were supposed to be strong defensively but in this match it was their goalkeeper Schroif who was at fault for all the Brazilian goals. First he allowed Amarildo to put the ball between himself and the goalpost from a seemingly impossible angle, then he was out of position for the second – a header by Zito, and finally, he fumbled and dropped a hopeful cross from Djalma Santos and Vava happily pumped the ball into the net for the 3-1 win. 1958 Sweden Just Fontaine of France set a tournament record of 13 goals in these finals, which still stands but nevertheless, it was Brazil and host nation Sweden who met in the final in Stockholm.

Sweden surprisingly scored first but Garrincha swerved miraculously past two defenders and cut the ball back for Vava to score. Twenty minutes later, Vava scored again. Pelé, only 17, scored the third, trapping the ball on his thigh, hooking it over his head, swivelling and volleying past Svensson. For his second, he rose high above the defence to power in a majestic header. Brazil won 5-2 and were on their way towards becoming the world’s best football team with the man who would eventually be named as the world’s best-ever footballer. The 18-panel ball was designed with zig-zag interlocking seams so that there was less stress on the stitching. 1954 Switzerland Hungary were two goals up within eight minutes in the final in Berne, but remarkably Germany FR had equalised within another eight. Pouring rain drenched the players and the crowd during the game but German goalkeeper Turek was in fine form, making save after save on the slippery pitch.

Five minutes from the end, Schaefer crossed the ball into a crowded goalmouth and it eventually reached Rahn, who controlled it, advanced, seemed to pause and then drove it past Hungarian goalkeeper Grosics with his left foot. Perhaps if Puskas, their great left-footed striker, had been fully fit Hungary might have won. The Magnificent Magyars lost only one match between 1950 and 1956, and that was the most important match of all. The 18-panel ball similar to the one illustrated left made its first appearance here and was used, in various forms, until 1966. 1950 Brazil The first post-war finals in Brazil in 1950 still saw the use of the traditional 12-panel ball, but with curved edges to create less stress on the seams. Again, the balls used in the finals would have been made by a local manufacturer. This particular ball is from the legendary match in Belo Horizonte when the heavyweights of England played the United States.

In those days, football or “soccer” was very much a minority sport in the USA and when the unfancied Americans beat the English 1-0, the entire football world was astounded. Such was the magnitude of the occasion that the ball was kept as a souvenir and it can now been see in the Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, New York State, USA. For the record, in the final itself, the hosts Brazil were devastated to be beaten 2-1 by rivals Uruguay. 1938 France Cup-holders Italy this time faced the majestic Hungarians in the final in Paris. The Italians were dynamic, employing modern tactics that left the Hungarians looking static although they did manage to score two goals. Some fine midfield and wing play had put Italy 3-2 up when, ten minutes from the end, following some skilful interpassing, Biavati back-heeled a pass to centre-forward Piola, who smashed it into the goal to make it 4-2. France was at war a year later and there would be no more FIFA World Cups™ for 12 years.

As in the two previous finals, the 12-panel ball would have come from local suppliers and would have been of brown leather. 1934 Italy The second FIFA World Cup™ found hosts Italy up against Czechoslovakia in the final. Eight minutes from the end, the Czechs were 1-0 up when Italy’s Orsi, receiving the ball from Guaita, ran through the Czech defence, feinted with his left foot but shot with his right. The ball swerved wildly for some reason and curled past the outstretched goalkeeper and into the net. Italy scored again in extra time to take the trophy. The following day, Orsi tried 20 times to repeat his ball-bending trick for the benefit of photographers and failed, even with an empty net! The ball would have been similar to the one illustrated here and it is possible that it may have become slightly distorted by the end of the match, which may have caused the swerve rather than being it entirely due to Orsi’s skill! 1930 Uruguay The 1930 ball would have been a 12-piece construction similar to the illustration on the left, but in fact two balls were used in the final itself!

This saw hosts Uruguay pitted against Argentina. There was a heated argument about which ball was to be used – the Uruguayan ball or the Argentinian ball. The ball from the hosts, Uruguay, was allegedly somewhat larger than that of Argentina, although, given that the required circumference of the ball has always been between 68 and 70cm, the difference should hardly have been noticeable. In the end, the only way to resolve the disagreement was for the teams to agree to use the Argentinian ball in the first half and the Uruguayan ball in the second half. Suffice to say that Argentina led 2-1 at half time and Uruguay won the game 4-2! Football facts

Question: As a result of Spain winning the Football World Cup in 2010 how many different teams have now won the World Cup?
Answer: EIGHT