Swiss take their place in history

Outsiders Switzerland stunned everyone on their maiden appearance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, beating the best sides on the planet to secure the country’s first world crown. In doing so, the deserving Helvetians denied tournament hosts and defending champions Nigeria the chance to make a little history of their own by surpassing fellow three-time winners Brazil and lifting the trophy for the third time.

Despite the support of 60,000 vociferous fans at the Abuja National Stadium, the venue for the final, the Golden Eaglets had to be content with the runners-up slot, the place occupied two years ago by Spain, who grabbed some consolation for their semi-final exit by pipping Colombia to third place.

Switzerland’s unexpected triumph was made all the more impressive by the fact that they overcame a host of tournament favourites before seeing off the powerful Nigerians just for good measure.

Yet, when the draw for the group phase was made, more than one observer tipped the central Europeans for an early exit from a fiercely competitive section that also contained Brazil, Mexico and Japan. Undaunted, Dany Ryser’s side went on to win all three of their matches, displaying no little steel in doing so and plenty of flamboyant football as well. To prove that was no fluke, they then knocked out neighbours Germany and Italy en route to the final.

Switzerland’s main asset was to be found on the bench, however, with coach Ryser giving his side the confidence to go out and make a mockery of their pre-tournament status as underdogs. “People saw us as makeweights in our group at the European Championships and yet we finished top. Playing the role of the already-doomed team suits me just fine,” he commented before the finals got under way, mindful of his side’s unfulfilled potential.

An inspired tactician and motivator, Ryser helped his side overcome all the challenges put to them by the best sides in the world. Dovetailing to perfection up front were club team-mates Nassim Ben Khalifa and Haris Seferovic, who were ably supported by a solid backbone consisting of midfielder Paitim Kasami, captain and defender Frederic Veseli, and Benjamin Siegrist, who was rightly voted the best goalkeeper of the competition. With such talents at the disposal, the Swiss would appear to have a very bright future ahead of them.

Beaten finalists Nigeria can also be proud of their efforts. Forced to rebuild his team just a few weeks before the tournament following MRI age testing of his squad, Eaglets coach John Obuh managed to put together an impressive outfit that belied their lack of experience with some exceptional performances.

The hosts showed their strength of character in their opening game, fighting back from a three-goal deficit to force a 3-3 draw against Germany. Buoyed by the goalscoring exploits of Sani Emmanuel and Stanley Okoro, they then embarked on a seemingly unstoppable run before seeing their impressive six-year unbeaten record in the competition come to an end against the Swiss.

Colombia on the up
Arriving in Nigeria to very little fanfare, Colombia summoned up the strength and spirit to go all the way to the semi-finals. Kicking off with a win over Netherlands, they came home second in their group behind Iran, which meant a Round-of-16 meeting with old rivals Argentina. Trailing 2-1 with just minutes remaining, Ramiro Viafara’s side seemed to be heading out of the tournament before two inspired substitutions helped them stage a thrilling late comeback and snatch a 3-2 win. Three days later they pulled off another unlikely revival against a formidable Turkey side, forcing extra time with a goal in the final seconds, scored by yet another supersub, before prevailing in a penalty shootout.

The Colombian subs were not the only ones to impress from the bench. Nigeria’s secret weapon Sani Emmanuel played such a vital role whenever he came on that he won the adidas Golden Ball despite making only one start in the whole competition. Ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice, the Nigerian livewire made the most of his 221 minutes of playing time, scoring five goals to earn the adidas Silver Shoe. It was somewhat ironic, then, that he ended the final goalless despite being given a rare start.

Switzerland front man Nassim Ben Khalifa and Nigeria midfielder Ramon Azeez also featured strongly throughout the tournament and collected the adidas Silver and Bronze balls respectively, while the adidas Golden Shoe went to Borja of Spain. The Rojita striker finished level on goals with Emmanuel, Uruguay’s Sebastian Gallegos, the winner of the adidas Bronze Shoe, and Seferovic, but claimed the title of the tournament’s top scorer having made one more assist than his rivals.

Brazil fall flat
During the course of an unpredictable tournament there were several surprise eliminations, chief among them Brazil’s shock first-round exit. Three-time winners of the competition and perennial candidates, A Seleçao tripped up at the first hurdle despite the presence of the highly rated duo of Coutinho and Neymar. The Brazilians began brightly enough with a win against Japan but slumped to successive 1-0 defeats to Mexico and Switzerland, prompting coach Luis Nizzo to tender his resignation before they had even boarded the plane home.

Fierce rivals Argentina fared little better as they once again failed to win the one piece of silverware still missing from their trophy cabinet. Jose Luis Brown’s young hopefuls can at least take some comfort from a fine first-round showing, although they had hopes of going much further until an untimely sending-off and a late loss of concentration condemned them to defeat against Colombia.

A highly rated Germany side had a similar story to tell. After letting leads slip against group opponents Nigeria and Argentina, they scraped into the last 16 with victory over Honduras. Yet, waiting for them in the first knockout round were the Swiss, who put paid to German hopes with a sensational 4-3 win after extra time.

Mixed bag for Africa
Much was expected of the African challenge at Nigeria 2009, especially with the continent playing such a big part in the football calendar in 2009 and 2010, staging the next FIFA World Cup finals, not to mention the FIFA Confederations Cup last June as well as the recent FIFA U-20 World Cup.

And though the host nation flew the flag by almost following up Ghana’s U-20 success with another African triumph, the fact is that the rest of the continent’s challengers failed to last the course. Perhaps the most creditable performance was that of Burkina Faso, who took second place in Group D before going down 4-1 to Spain in the next round. Newcomers Malawi and Algeria failed to do themselves justice, losing all three of their games, while reigning African champions Gambia were undone by a string of red and yellow cards and some sloppy defending.

The Asian quartet showed all the qualities associated with sides from the East, producing plenty of fluid, technically brilliant and attractive football but failing to convert it into goals at decisive times. Japan thrilled everyone with some delicious football but bowed out early without collecting a single point. Korea Republic fared much better, reaching the last eight before paying for a similar inability to take their chances, while Iran and UAE both emerged from their groups only to pay for their lack of experience against Uruguay and Turkey respectively.

Last but not least, New Zealand scaled new heights when they secured three draws in the group phase to reach the second round of a FIFA competition for the first time.

Participating nations
Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Costa Rica, Gambia, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Iran, Japan, Korea Republic Malawi, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay

Ranking
1. Switzerland
2. Nigeria
3. Spain
4. Colombia

Host cities and stadiums
Abuja (National Stadium), Bauchi (Abubakar Tafawa Balewa), Calabar (UJ Esuene), Enugu (Nnamdi Azikiwe), Ijebu-Ode (Gateway International), Kaduna (Amadu Bello), Kano (Sani Abacha), Lagos (Teslim Balogun)

No. of goals
151 (an average of 2.90 goals per game)

Top scorers
5 goals: Borja (Spain), Sani Emmanuel (Nigeria), Sebastian Gallegos (Uruguay), Haris Seferovic (Switzerland)

source:http://www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup

Carlos HERMOSILLO Hermosillo alongside El Tri's best

Mexico’s Carlos Hermosillo put together some impressive statistics during the course of his long career. A veteran of over 600 club matches, during which he struck 322 goals, he also made 95 appearances for his country, scoring an impressive 35 goals in the process. On top of all that he collected seven league winners’ medals and finished top scorer in the Mexican league on three separate occasions.

Yet, as is usually the case, the numbers only tell half the story. A prodigious header of the ball, the No 27 was a wholly committed competitor whenever he took the field, a quality that ensured him star status in every team he ran out for. One of the game’s born winners, the affable Hermosillo agreed to speak exclusively to FIFA.com about his illustrious playing days and his life outside the game.

A natural goalscorer
Although a thoroughbred finisher, Hermosillo did not have it easy during the early days of his career. “I had trials with every team in the first division and nobody wanted me,” he recalls. “So I went to play in one of the amateur leagues and got a call up to the national team for the 1984 Olympic Games qualifiers. Then America came in and offered me a contract and that’s how I finally got into professional football.”

Having got his foot in the door, the burly front man embarked on a meteoric rise to prominence that resulted in him winning a place in Bora Milutinovic’s squad for the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™. Unfortunately for the 21-year-old, he would spend the tournament on the bench. “I warmed up for every game but didn’t play in any of them,” he explains. “It hurt a lot but it was a great learning experience for me all the same. In the end I was very happy because it was a great team and we just fell short.”

After seven seasons and four league titles with America, a less positive experience in Belgium with Standard Liege and a short but successful stint with Monterrey, Hermosillo joined the club closest to his heart, Cruz Azul. “It was a case of me going back to my roots,” he says. “To start with the fans didn’t accept me because I was in the America side that beat them to the title in 1988/89. In the end, though, there was a lot of love on both sides. I was the leading scorer with them on many occasions and I won a league championship there too.”

Celeste fans still talk about that title, which remains their last and was secured in dramatic circumstances against Leon, with Hermosillo playing a central part, as he himself explains: “I was carrying a rib injury and I came on in extra time wearing a bulletproof vest. We were on the attack and the Leon keeper, Angel Comizzo, crashed into me in the area. My face was covered in blood but when I realised it was a penalty I felt that someone up above had decided my time had come. So I picked myself and scored from the spot. To win the title with the team I’d supported as a kid was an amazing feeling I can tell you.”

The last hurrah
Hermosillo earned a second chance to shine on the big stage at USA 1994. “We had a team of great leaders and fantastic players,” recalls the former striker. “I sat out the opening match against Norway, but I did get a game against Ireland and Italy. When we came up against Bulgaria in the last 16 I was sure it was going to be a very important match for me but I wasn’t selected. It was frustrating because once again we were just a step away from making history.”

After retiring from football, Hermosillo took the somewhat unusual step of going into politics, eventually holding office as Mexico’s Sports Minister. Currently devoting his energies to the ruling Partido Acción Nacional, he is not discounting a return to the sport in which he made his name. “I’m happy with my life but it would be lovely to get back into football again one day.”

Still a keen observer of the game, Hermosillo has high hopes for the current Mexico side and sees the hugely promising Javier Hernandez as his natural heir up front. “The team’s got some fine players and a great coach,” he says. “If they can come together and form a tight unit, they can make history. I think El Chícharito is a wonderful player, the best that Mexico has produced in years. All he needs to do is learn to be patient. Sometimes he comes too deep to get the ball, which means he’s not always in the position he should be.”

Coming from one of the country’s finest poachers of all time, that piece of advice is one the young star would do well to heed. After all, there are not many people who know as much about putting the ball in the back of the net as Carlos Hermosillo.

Thomas MUELLER

Thomas Muller’s opening goal for Germany against Uruguay in the third-place play-off proved enough to earn the Bayern Munich starlet the adidas Golden Boot. Muller finished on five goals at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but claimed the top scorer accolade thanks to no fewer than three assists, leaving him ahead of Spain marksman David Villa and Dutch hitman Wesley Sneijder, both of whom finished on five goals but with only one assist apiece.

Bobby MOORE

"Immaculate footballer. Imperial defender. Immortal hero of 1966. First Englishman to raise the World Cup aloft. Favourite son of London's East End. Finest legend of West Ham United. National Treasure. Master of Wembley. Lord of the game. Captain extraordinary. Gentleman of all time."

Anyone who visits the new Wembley Stadium and sees the bronze statue of Bobby Moore standing majestically over Wembley Way may happen to read the above inscription, composed by Daily Mail columnist and personal friend Jeff Powell. In life and in death, the legendary centre-back has received tributes from people of all walks of life, yet all are united by common theme: that this man was a truly remarkable footballer.

Both Pele and Franz Beckenbauer rated him as a gentleman, friend and the greatest defender they ever played against. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said of Moore: “He was a superb footballer. If you wanted a role model from public life, Bobby Moore is a pretty good one to take."

England's 1966 FIFA World Cup™-winning coach, Sir Alf Ramsey, described him as follows: “My captain, my leader, my right-hand man. He was the spirit and the heartbeat of the team. A cool, calculating footballer I could trust with my life. He was the supreme professional, the best I ever worked with. Without him England would never have won the World Cup.


source:http://www.fifa.com

Beckham: I don't want to manage

England midfielder David Beckham has no intention of becoming a coach and is instead focusing on his recovery from an Achilles injury, which he has revealed is ahead of schedule. The 35-year-old's dreams of participating in a fourth FIFA World Cup™ were shattered in March, when he sustained the injury while on loan to AC Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy.

However, Beckham was invited along to South Africa as part of Fabio Capello's backroom staff and sat on the bench for what turned out to be a wretched campaign, which ended with 4-1 defeat by Germany in the Round of 16. It has been suggested the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player could take charge of the national side in future, but the free-kick specialist is not interested in such talk at this stage in his career and cannot foresee that changing down the line.

"I must admit it's something I've never been interested in," he said in a webchat with Yahoo. "It's not a passion of mine to be a manager of a football team. I'm passionate about the game and being there, and obviously I was wearing the suit, so people have looked and thought I could be going into that."

source:http://www.fifa.com

Olympiastadion

The history of the Olympiastadion in München is inextricably linked with the goal-scoring exploits of Gerd Der Bomber Muller. Who else but Germany's all-time leading goal scorer could have christened the stadium in such sensational style on 26 May 1972? Inspired by 80,000 awed fans, the nimble, stocky striker scored four against the Soviets, who could only add a meaningless consolation goal in a 4-1 drubbing.

München's Olympiastadion is truly one of the most extraordinary stadia in all the world. A living example of functionality combined with stylised architecture, even if some have come to consider it dated - owing largely to the distance between the spectators and the pitch. The 75,000-square-metre roof, once heralded as an architectural milestone, still enchants visitors today.

A national architectural competition was launched in autumn 1967 to find the right people for such a daunting project. In 1966, the International Olympic Committee awarded the 1972 Olympic Games to Munich, a city bereft of any major sporting venues. The Olympiastadion was created over a period of six years, surrounded by a vast park landscape with an 80,000-square-metre lake. The unlikely three-square-kilometre site was the Oberwiesenfeld, formerly used for Royal Bavarian Army exercises and later converted into an airport. The winning design was submitted by architects Günter Behnisch and partners whose idea for the sweeping roof, a pioneering concept in design and technology, became an established fixture in global architecture. The Olympiastadion was Munich innovative architectural answer to its Berlin namesake constructed for the Olympics back in 1936.

Precisely three months after the opening match, 80,000 spectators poured into the stadium once again on 26 August 1972 to watch the sun-drenched opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and the entrance of the 121 participating nations.

Olympics and FIFA World Cup landmarks
The Olympiastadion has repeatedly been called upon as a stage for major national and international sporting events and has welcomed almost 50 million spectators through its turnstiles over the years. The pitch is 105 x 68 metres and has an automated sprinkler system and under-soil heating. The current normal capacity is 63,000.

Besides the Olympic Games in 1972, the Olympiastadion will be forever remembered as the site of the Germany 74 final on 7 July when hosts Germany overcame hot favourites Holland.

Reigning European champions Germany were strongly favoured going into the 1974 tournament, but mediocre performances in the group stage compared with Johan Cruyff & Company's 'Clockwork Orange' saw them soon ranked as outsiders for the ultimate contest. The Oranje team had been outstanding throughout the competition and took the lead against Germany with barely two minutes on the clock. Uli Hoeness brought down Cruyff and Johan Neeskens made no mistake from the penalty spot. Germany responded in the 25th minute courtesy of another penalty. The outstanding Paul Breitner seized the ball before tucking it away to restore parity at 1-1.

And when Gerd Muller finished off some fine work from Jurgen Grabowski and Rainer Bonhof in inimitable fashion for a 2-1 lead two minutes before the interval, Germany were world champions and the Netherlands were shell-shocked. Muller recalls: "I got back on the ball, turned and just hit it, and it went in. It was that simple. My goal winning us the World Cup was the most important event in my career, even though I scored more goals four years earlier," the legendary striker said recently. The next Dutch generation has better memories of Munich's Olympiastadion - they triumphed 2-0 there against the Soviet Union in the final of the 1988 UEFA European Championship. Marco van Basten's magical volley into the corner of the net will never be forgotten.

Club surprises
In 1993, Olympique Marseille won the Champions League final against favourites AC Milan through a solitary Basile Boli goal. Another upset followed four years later when Borussia Dortmund defeated Champions League favourites Juventus 3-1 in the final. The stadium has seen the world's best teams over the course of its history.

Renowned clubs such as Inter Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United have all met Bayern Munich in the awe-inspiring arena, while memories of the UEFA Cup semi-final from 1988/1989 against Diego Maradona's SSC Napoli still bring a tear to the eye. From the start of the 2005/06 season, Bayern Munich have played their football at the FIFA World Cup Stadium in the north of the city.

In many ways, the successes of Bayern Munich also belong to the Olympiastadion: 18 championships, 11 DFB Cups, four European Champions Cups or Champions Leagues (1974, 1975, 1976 and 2001), the 1976 European team of the year and FIFA World Club Champions, a feat repeated in 2001.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Estadio Azteca

Mexico City's fabled Estadio Azteca has been the backdrop for some of history's most unforgettable FIFA World Cup ^TM moments. Pele's last sparks of invention on the world stage, a final glimpse of the old Jules Rimet Cup and Maradona's famous goals against England in 1986 all took place on the lush grass of the vintage North American gem. Known simply as the Azteca, it is one of the beautiful game's truly great gathering places - and the only one to host two FIFA World Cup Final matches.

Teetering 7,200 feet above sea level, the stadium has earned a reputation for Mexico's national team as a fortress of results. In fact, Mexico only saw their FIFA World Cup ^TM qualifying unbeaten streak in the stadium end in 2001 when they lost 2-1 to Costa Rica.

The bowl's signature roof traps and amplifies noise from the massive upper level, filling the air with high pitch shrieks and a deafening, cacophonous din to make the Mexico City landmark, and home to domestic giants Club America, one of the loudest stadiums anywhere. Add to that its more notorious conditions, namely altitude and smog, and you have the most inhospitable of venues for visiting teams.

The perfect football stadium lines up the legends
Built in 1966 ahead of the Olympic Games in 1968 and 1970 FIFA World Cup, the cavernous, three-tiered bowl was designed to hold almost 115,000 fans. An over-the-top undertaking for the time, the Azteca is a vivid demonstration of Mexico's mad devotion to the people's game.

The full construction took nearly four years to complete. Architects Pedro Ramirez Vasquez and Rafael Mijares travelled the globe before breaking ground to catch glimpses of the finest football stadiums of the time. Trips to Buenos Aires, Madrid, Rome, Florence, Paris, London, Moscow and Warsaw provided the duo with the inspiration they needed to design what many consider to be a faultless football stadium.

In addition to being an impregnable fortress for the Mexican national team, the Azteca has witnessed some of the most electrifying and immortal FIFA World Cup moments of the last 40 years. Pele said his goodbye to the international game with a peerless performance in the 1970 Final against Italy, inspiring what many call the greatest team of all time to a masterful 4-1 victory over an Italian side infamous for their cohesive defence.

The man many consider the greatest footballer in history scored a perfect low-and-hard header in the 18th minute from Rivelino's swerving cross. Leaving Albertosi with no chance, the celebration that followed involved Pele leaping into Jairzinho's arms and has since become one of the most recognisable snapshots in football history. After a 4-1 result, the Seleção, playing a languid, sultry brand of football never to be seen again, passed the Jules Rimet Cup around the brilliant Azteca grass for what would turn out to be the last time in 24 years.

Italy had a magic moment of their own en route to the ill-fated final. After finishing 90 minutes against West Germany even at one apiece, the semi-final's extra time period will go down in the annals of history as one of the most magnificent half hours of football ever played for a mass audience. A double from 'der Bomber' Gerd Muller and goals from Tarcisio Burgnich, Luigi Riva and Gianni Rivera saw a desperate attacking session fuelled by fatigue and the Azteca's extreme altitude.

Maradona's Mundial
Of all the moments of drama played out on the Azteca's manicured stage down through the years, Maradona's magic act of Mexico 86 stares down all comers. After surviving a massive earthquake one year earlier, the stadium barely withstood the earth-shattering orchestrations of El Diego.

Soon after the Azteca witnessed Manuel Negrete slam a scintillating side-bicycle against Bulgaria home to put El Tri in the quarter-finals, the towering ground got its first glimpse of Argentine genius Diego Armando Maradona at the quarter-final stage. When the Albiceleste locked horns with bitter old enemies England it was to prove a famous day in the folklore of the FIFA World Cup as both sides of the fractured star were on display for the shrieking Azteca to savour.

In the 51st minute, Maradona turned villain in the eyes of purists and moralists everywhere. Pouncing on the end of a horrid looping back pass from Steve Hodge, the diminutive genius rose to head over veteran goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Though the English captain and keeper was getting on in years, the possibility of him being out-leaped by the diminutive Maradona seemed unbelievable - and indeed it was. Replays proved what the England bench had suspected all along: Maradona had punched the ball into the net.

In a post-match press conference, the No10 cheekily attributed the goal to divine intervention, labelling it El Mano de Dios, or the Hand of God.

His second goal of the match settled the score at 2-1 and was voted the Goal of the Century by FIFA.com users in 2002. It will forever be immortalised by a statue of the No10 that stands outside the stadium.

Three minutes after punching home his first, in a moment of profound atonement and irresistible guile, Maradona collected the ball near midfield, spun like a top and began to race at a nervous English defence. Leaving six opponents behind him on a long sprint, Maradona rounded the wrong-footed Shilton to toe-poke home at the last possible moment.

The defiant Argentine heroics did not end there either. The semi-final against Belgium saw the skipper score two more. The first a delicate, almost dainty flick, and the second another defiant dribble through a terrified backline. And, as if there were any doubt, his telepathic through ball to Jose Burruchaga in the Final confirmed Maradona's reputation as the greatest player of the day - and of his generation.

Following the final whistle the Azteca crowd spilled on to the pitch to pay homage to football's gods. As Pele had been in 1970, Maradona was left shirtless and embraced by thousands high in the Mountains that surround Mexico City.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Wembley Stadium

There are few places more deserving of the words 'hallowed ground' to a football fan than Wembley Stadium. Demolished in 2002 to make way for a new state-of-the-art arena, it was a veritable museum of British sporting history and famous football moments. And, more than any other stadium in the world, to play at Wembley was understood to be something special - the pinnacle of being a footballer was to ply your trade beneath its majestic Twin Towers.

Now those much-loved towers have made way for a 133-metre arch, the symbol of the new Wembley, which opened in spring 2007 - seven years after English football said goodbye to the old stadium.

Whatever the future brings at the new 90,000-seat Wembley, for the rest of the world, playing in the Empire Stadium, as it was originally known, symbolised being closer to where the game was created. For the English, an inordinate number of memories were made on that expansive Wembley pitch. It has witnessed the England team at their best and worst and was the stage on which they joined the ranks of the select few nations to have won the FIFA World Cup ™ in 1966.

The man who famously lifted the cup that celebrated 30th of July 1966 was Bobby Moore, who enjoyed more than his fair share of triumphs at the old ground. The great England defender also won the 1964 FA Cup and 1965 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup at Wembley, though in 1975 he was on the losing side for Fulham against his former side West Ham.

Fellow 1966 hero Bobby Charlton did at least as well as his captain, winning in addition the FA Cup in 1963 and the European Champion Clubs' Cup with the outstanding Manchester United team of 1968. Also in that side was Northern Ireland's greatest ever player George Best and famed Scottish marksman Dennis Law. On the other half of the pitch with Benfica was Eusebio, the legendary Portugal striker, who tasted defeat there not only in 1968 but also in the 1963 European Cup final and 1966 FIFA World Cup semi-final against the hosts.

Dutch legend Johan Cruyff thrilled and stunned over 90,000 supporters in Wembley at a 1977 friendly, which the Netherlands won 2-0. He also lifted a European Cup in the stadium as a player with Ajax in 1971 and a coach with Barcelona in 1992. Another fantastic foreigner to light up the Wembley pitch was 'The Galloping Major', Ferenc Puskas, who led Hungary in their 6-3 drubbing of England in what is surely one of the most celebrated and important friendly matches of all time. If you wanted to make a statement about football, Wembley was the best place to do it, and the 'Magical Magyars' of 1953 underlined both their greatness and England's naivety at the time.

The 'auld enemy' to the north, Scotland, were actually the first team to get the better of England at Wembley, which they did the second time the two sides met there in 1928. It was a rather notorious 5-1 hammering in fact, though England got their revenge two years later under the same towers with a 5-2 win of their own.

Wembley itself was almost as celebrated as the national team it housed, however, and domestic and European cups of all kinds were played out in the ground. The stadium hosted every FA Cup final from 1923 to 2000, every League Cup final from 1967 to 2000, as well as seven European finals (five in the European Cup and two in the Cup Winners' Cup).

Of all the great and glorious FA Cup finals, two that stand out prominently are the first, the 'White Horse" final of 1923, and the 'Matthews' final of 1953. Built to accommodate 127,000 people, the first FA Cup final reportedly saw close to a quarter of a million cram into the ground. Kick-off was delayed for 45 minutes as the pitch had to be cleared of supporters there to see Bolton take on West Ham. Among those restoring order were a mounted police officer, Constable George Scorey, and his distinctive white horse, Billy, who stood out in the throng. Bolton's first goal in a 2-0 success was scored while a West Ham player was still getting through the crowd after retrieving the ball for a throw-in.

Three decades later, one of England's most respected footballers, Sir Stanley Matthews was the star of the show in another match featuring Bolton. Matthews, then 38, was seeking an FA Cup winners' medal at the third attempt but Bolton seemed to have ruined that hope when they went 3-1 ahead. However, the 'Wizard of the Dribble' proceeded to tear apart the opposition and those in Wembley on that historic day would never stop talking about the way that Matthews' Blackpool came back to win 4-3.

Such recollections flood from Wembley unlike any other ground in the world, and because of England's significant place in the development of the beautiful game, their football memories have a collective magnetism for everyone else.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Rose Bowl

With no traditional venues for 'soccer', the United States was in some ways an unconventional choice to host the FIFA World Cup ^TM. As it turned out though, USA 94 was a tournament rich in goals and excitement, drawing huge crowds and culminating eventually in the final at the Rose Bowl - drawing the eyes of the world to this small corner of California on 17 July 1994.

Nestled at the edge of the San Gabriel mountains north of Los Angeles in the town of Pasadena, this vast arena accommodated 94,194 spectators and provided a fitting backdrop for the showpiece final between a pair of three-time world champions, Brazil and Italy. The South Americans eventually claimed their fourth FIFA World Cup in a penalty shootout after what can only be called an anticlimactic contest.

The Seleção thus finally got their hands on the FIFA World Cup trophy, having previously retained the old Jules Rimet trophy after winning it for a third time in 1970. The tournament's true stars, Romario and Roberto Baggio, were largely subdued - the latter sealing Italy's fate with his famous penalty miss - but the atmosphere was admirably upbeat. For the spectators it was a day of celebration as the Rose Bowl basked in its moment in the sun.

Not that the glare of the spotlight is anything new for a stadium situated just miles from the glitz of Hollywood. A major venue for American football - it has hosted five Super Bowls together with the annual collegiate Rose Bowl - it staged the gold medal match at the 1984 Olympic Football Tournament, with 101,799 people turning out to see France beat Brazil 2-0.

More recently, in 1999, the FIFA Women's World Cup reached its climax there, with the hosts beating China 5-4 on penalty-kicks after a 0-0 draw. Over 90,000 people were in attendance as America's women claimed their second world crown.

Completed in 1922, the Rose Bowl has increased in size over the years. Built in a horseshoe shape, capacity rose from 57,000 to 76,000 when its open south end was built on in 1929. By the 1950s it could accommodate over 100,000. The venue has correspondingly branched out from its gridiron roots. Innumerable shows and concerts have been held there, as well as the world's largest flea market, Moreover, Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy called the Rose Bowl home for seven seasons and not only were the US national team regulars there but Mexico and other Central American teams have also staged matches at the arena.

Though typically avoiding the Rose Bowl for contests against fellow CONCACAF opposition - whose Spanish-speaking support would likely to outnumber their own - the USA have played there 15 times, losing on just three occasions.

The first of these reverses came against Romania in the Americans' final group game of USA 94 on 26 June. Four days earlier, the Red, White and Blue had shocked fancied Colombia 2-1 on the same pitch. Over 93,000 people witnessed the host nation's first victory in a FIFA World Cup match since 1950.

Of the eight matches it hosted during USA 94, arguably the most memorable was Romania's thrilling 3-2 triumph over Argentina in the second round. Ilie Dumitrescu was the scourge of the Albiceleste that day, scoring twice inside the opening 18 minutes and then slotting the ball perfectly through three defenders and into the path of Gheorghe Hagi for him to add the Romanians' third. Goals from Gabriel Batistuta and Abel Balbo proved in vain as Argentina, with Diego Maradona watching helplessly from the stand, made an early exit.

The Rose Bowl also witnessed the highs and lows of tournament dark horses Sweden. It was in Pasadena that they fell in the semi-final to Romario's fifth goal of the finals, yet days later they returned to claim third place by beating Bulgaria 4-0.

The final itself may not have lived up to the high expectations but there were still scenes that stick in the memory: the beaten Baggio with head in hands, a chain of Brazilians celebrating a victory they dedicated to the late motor racing champion Ayrton Senna, the Italian veteran Franco Baresi in tears after playing the match of his life but missing his penalty-kick. To quote a banner hanging on the Rose Bowl walls, this was a day for 'Making soccer history'.

With the construction of the football-specific, but significantly smaller, Home Depot Center south of LA, the Rose Bowl may see less 'soccer' these days, but its days in the world spotlight will not be forgotten.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Velodrome

Marseille's Stade Velodrome has hosted six FIFA World Cup ^TM matches in all, including two semi-finals 60 years apart (1938 and 1998). And the wildly exuberant fans that flock to the stadium every Sunday reflect the wide diversity of the population of this famous Mediterranean port. The 60,000-capacity Velodrome is nothing short of a football temple, where the fanatical Marseille crowd, including a French record 40,000 season-ticket holders, provide a unique and intricately passionate atmosphere.

Construction work began on the stadium in 1933 but was soon halted when it became abundantly clear that the sheer size of the original project made it financially unfeasible. The prospect of hosting the 1938 FIFA World Cup, however, saw the plan revived in April 1935, and 26 months later the great stadium was getting its final spit and polish.

Meazza's shorts
The first match in the Velodrome in the 1938 FIFA World Cup was the first-round clash between holders Italy and Scandinavian hopefuls Norway. The game got off to a predictable start as the Italians coasted into the lead after just two minutes thanks to a goal from Pietro Ferraris, but the Norwegians tore up the script and snatched an equaliser through Arne Brustad seven minutes from time. The Squadra Azzurra then showed the peculiar resilience of champions and sealed qualification for the next round with a goal from Silvio Piola four minutes into extra-time.

Italy went on to knock out France in the quarter-finals before facing Brazil in a semi-final that is still talked about today. Thousands of tifosi poured over the border into the Velodrome, swelling the attendance to 33,000, a new record for the ground. The throng bore witness to what was by all accounts the best match of the third FIFA World Cup. The South Americans had gone into the game so convinced of their superiority that manager Ademar Pimenta decided to leave out the team's star player, Leonidas, saying he wanted to keep him fit for the final. Unfortunately for Pimenta, the Italians were to make him regret his complacency.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Roared on by a partisan crowd, Italy stroked the ball around with gusto and eventually took the lead through Gino Colaussi early in the second half. Shortly after that came the real turning point of the match - when the referee awarded the Azzurri a penalty.

What followed was to go down forever in the annals of the FIFA World Cup. The legendary Giuseppe Meazza stepped forward to take the penalty looking full of confidence. As he went to place the ball on the spot, the string holding up his shorts broke, leaving them to fall around his ankles and sending the bumper crowd into fits of laughter. Unperturbed, the Inter Milan man pulled his shorts up with his left hand and placed the ball on the spot with his right, then took his run-up and, still holding his shorts up, planted the ball into the back of the net for what would turn out to be the winning goal. Brazilian goalkeeper Valter, no doubt perplexed by the whole incident, did not even move. Romeu got a goal back for the South Americans three minutes from time, but it was too little too late. The Vélodrome had provided a show worthy of Marseilles, a city renowned for its love of all types of excess.

World War II interrupted all sporting competitions and throughout much of the conflict the Vélodrome was used as a military parking lot for at first the French army, then the Germans and finally the Americans. Nevertheless, the stadium still managed to stage a handful of matches during this turbulent period, notably in 1942 when a team representing Vichy France lost 2-0 to Switzerland in front of 39,000 people who had come for some temporary respite from their daily sadness and deprivations.

The start of French triumph and Bergkamp's glory
By the time the 16th FIFA World Cup returned to the Velodrome in 1998, the old stadium had undergone an impressive facelift. Architects Jean-Pierre Buffi and Pierre Averous expanded and modernised the ground, but took great pains to ensure it remained in tune with its surrounding environment. The north and south curved banks were completely revamped, as were the Jean-Bouin and Ganay stands, though these retained their original 1936 elliptical shape. No roof was fitted, allowing the pitch to remain exposed to the elements. The refurbishments brought the capacity up to 60,000.

In 1998, the stadium was graced by no fewer than seven FIFA World Cup matches, four of them first-round encounters. One of those group-phase matches was the host nation's opening game, and the Velodrome clearly brought Les Bleus luck as local hero Zinedine Zidane led them to a simple 3-0 win over South Africa, their first step on the road to becoming world champions.

As if to remain faithful to its history, the Velodrome was again the scene of an upset for Brazil, as unheralded Norway recorded a surprise 2-1 first-round victory over the Auriverde in the group stage. The Brazilians at last overcame their jinx in the semi-final, when they beat the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out after a suspenseful 1-1 draw. The Dutch had already left their mark on the Velodrome, since Dennis Bergkamp hit a breathtaking last-minute winner against Argentina in the quarter-finals. Latching on to a long pass from Frank de Boer, the elegant forward controlled the ball exquisitely at the right-hand edge of the box before angling a superb shot with the outside of his boot into the far corner. Before that, Italy had renewed their happy relationship with the Vélodrome by claiming a hard-fought 1-0 win in the second round against Norway.

A dramatic home
The Velodrome provided the backdrop for incredible moments from other competitions as well, most notably in the 1984 European Championship. The stadium had already been renovated by then, with a brand new playing surface to boot. The mobile stands fitted behind the goals concealed the last remaining stretches of the cycling track and increased the official capacity to 40,000. That figure was ignored when 58,848 fans crammed into the ground to watch the famous semi-final between France and Portugal, when Michel Platini brought the house down with a sensational winner in the 119th minute.

While the history of the always intimidating Velodrome is intimately bound with that of the FIFA World Cup, its never-dull day job is as the cherished home of Olympique de Marseille, winners of the European Champions Cup in 1993. Though OM have experienced the trauma of relegation on numerous occasions, they have always managed to rise from the ashes to remain one of the most popular clubs in all of France.

The club's patch-work history has been embroidered by the likes of legendary strikers Josip Skoblar and Jean-Pierre Papin, lavishly-skilled individuals such as Roger Magnusson and Chris Waddle, player-makers of the class of tiny giant Alain Giresse and Enzo Francescoli, colossal defenders like Karl Heinz Forster and Carlos Mozer, all coaxed and coached by some of the world's great managers, including Franz Beckenbauer, Tomislav Ivic and Raymond Goethals. One of the city's most celebrated sons, Zidane, still recalls the emotion he felt when standing on the curved banks of the Vélodrome watching his idol Enzo Francescoli. Perhaps in homage, Zidane's oldest son also happens to be called Enzo.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Rasunda Stadium

Sweden's Rasunda Stadium is one of just two venues in the world - California's Rose Bowl being the other - that can boast of having hosted the final of both the FIFA World Cup ^TM and the FIFA Women's World Cup.

This football-specific stadium, located in the district of Solna some six kilometres northwest of Stockholm city centre, is famed for putting spectators right on top of the action, and it still generates a fantastic atmosphere for the ever-competitive Sweden national team.

Stockholm's footballing temple provided the launchpad for the international career of one of the world's greatest footballers. At the 1958 FIFA World Cup ^TM, a certain Edson Arantes do Nascimento caused a sensation when the then 17-year-old Brazilian enchanted fans around the world with his magical footwork. The youngster, better known by his pseudonym Pele, would go on to be recognised as one of the game's all-time legends.

After his goal-scoring quarter-final performance against Wales, the young Pele's finest hour came on 24 June at the Rasunda. The 27,000 fans inside the stadium could scarcely believe their eyes as the 17-year-old's famous hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over France fired his team into the final.

Just five days later on 29 June 1958, the Rasunda was again the canvas for the young prodigy's artistic skills as Brazil came up against hosts Sweden in the final. Once again, the teenager upstaged everyone else on the pitch, scoring twice in another 5-2 triumph as Brazil captured the FIFA World Cup for the very first time. Despite the obvious disappointment for the hosts, the 51,800 spectators in the sold-out stadium rose to celebrate and fervently applaud the exceptional young talent.

The Rasunda next staged a global showpiece in 1995 with the second FIFA Women's World Cup. In a repeat of the men's tournament of 1958, the Stockholm venue was chosen to host the final and Norway came out on top in a rain-soaked all-European affair, defeating Germany 2-0 to lift their first trophy in the home of their Scandinavian neighbours.

The Rasunda's history dates back to 1910 when a 12,000-capacity football ground was built on the site. In 1937 a new arena rose in its place, the Rasunda stadium proper, accommodating 40,000 spectators. Its current capacity is 36,100 but more than 52,000 fans once squeezed into the ground in September 1965 for a decisive FIFA World Cup against West Germany. Unfortunately for the Swedes, their vast support was silenced as the eventual 1966 finalists won 2-1 with goals from Uwe Seeler and Werner Kramer.

The same sides met again at the Rasunda 27 years later when Sweden took on the reigning world champions in the semi-final of the 1992 UEFA European Championship. Yet again fortune favoured the visitors as Germany prevailed 3-2 to reach the final in Gothenburg.

Today the Rasunda is the home ground of Swedish top-flight club AIK Solna and also stages derby matches involving other Stockholm sides. A homely, atmospheric old ground, it will make way in 2011 for a new 50,000-capacity national stadium featuring a retractable roof.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Centenario

Montevideo's Estadio Centenario stands at a profound crossroads of past and present on the face of planet football. A monument to South America's steadfast love for the game, the concrete colossus with a capacity of 100,000 was the main stage on which the drama of the inaugural FIFA World Cup ^TM unfolded - introducing the world to the irrefutable notion of football as the one truly global game.

Built to host the first FIFA World Cup as well as mark the 100th anniversary of Uruguayan independence, the Centenario stands to this day as an indelible and unmistakable landmark of football and national identity. Despite taking place at the precipice of the 20th century's most debilitating economic crisis, 13 nations took a chance on the tournament and the Centenario hosted each of them at least once. The no-frills bowl was home to ten of the 18 matches, including all three knockout contests, earning its place in history as a "temple of football," so called by Jules Rimet himself.

A capital affair
The ambitious construction project of the Centenario began on 21 July 1929, but the capital largely lacked the requisite infrastructure and economic safety net to host an event of the magnitude envisioned by President Rimet. Nonetheless, local construction crews worked tirelessly to make sure the stadium would be ready on time.

Different work sections were contracted out to various construction companies with responsibility for the supply of water and electricity being handled by the local community. Under the supervision of architect Juan Antonio Scasso, three shifts were organised in order so that construction went on 24 hours a day.

The momentous efforts paid off by the time of Uruguay's FIFA World Cup ^TM opener against Peru on 18 July - a match the hosts duly won 1-0, five days after the tournament had kicked off elsewhere in Montevideo.

Though the Centenario is considered the main host for the 1930 finals, there were two other venues also in the capital - the relatively tiny Pocitos and Parque Central. The first FIFA World Cup match - France's 4-1 reverse of Mexico - took place in front of just 1,000 spectators at Pocitos on 13 July. But importantly for Uruguayans, all five matches of the Celeste's games en route to collecting the first FIFA World Cup trophy came in the Centenario.

The final match saw the hosts roar back from a goal behind at half-time to upset neighbours and contentious foes Argentina 4-2, and become the first global champions of what, by that point, could be called the world's growing game. Uruguayan captain Jose Nazassi was the first player to hold aloft the 'Victoire aux Ailes d'Or' trophy, which was later renamed the Jules Rimet Cup. Celebrations went on for days in Montevideo, as the global era of football arrived with a domestic triumph. The game of football would never be the same.

An echo of the past
Even three quarters of a century later, with the Centenario approaching its own centennial, the stadium remains the home base and often impregnable fortress for the Uruguayan national team. The Charruas have rarely lost while in the stadium's warm embrace, and even the very best in world football have trouble standing up to the proud tradition in the Montevideo shrine. Even the mighty Brazil have recorded just two official victories there in 20 attempts.

Uruguay's Copa America record at the Centenario is as near to perfect as any football fan can dream. The nation has hosted the South American championship on seven separate occasions, but only four times since the construction of El Centenario in 1930. And in all four, they went undefeated at the talismanic old ground and took the continental laurels on each occasion.

Montevideo's fierce club footballing rivals Penarol and Nacional have played countless derbies there and both call the artefact home. With very few modern amenities, the stadium stands today very nearly the way it was built to mark the first-ever FIFA World Cup finals. And to gaze upon the open, sprawling bowl and its proud tower climbing high into the sky, one is transported back to an era of button-down jerseys, long shorts and clunky boots - a time of innocence and broad invention.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Santiago Bernabeu

The story of the mythical Santiago Bernabeu Stadium leads inevitably to the history of its regal owners, Real Madrid, an institution which in 2000 was recognised by FIFA as the Club of the Century. Enduring greats such as Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Emilio Butragueno, Ronaldo, Raul and Zinedine Zidane have all graced the Bernabeu's sacred turf in the famous all-white strip.

The stadium has also hosted many memorable international matches, most notably the 1982 FIFA World Cup ^TM final and when La Furia Roja lifted their one and only major international trophy - at the European Championships in 1964.

Built on what at the time were the outskirts of the Spanish capital, the stadium now stands in the heart of Madrid's bustling financial district. The massive undertaking marked the beginning of an era of colossal sporting constructions across the globe. Many at the time thought that its capacity for 120,000 spectators was madness, but the property developers' gamble soon paid off.

Trophy for the Spanish cabinet
Around 100,000 fans packed the Bernabeu on 21 June to witness the final of Euro 1964 when Spain snatched a victory rife with political overtones from the Soviet Union. It was a win that Spain's fascist leader Generalissimo Franco was quick to spin a propaganda vehicle for his regime.

The dictator had withdrawn Spain from the first UEFA European Championship because of political differences with their quarter-final rivals - again the USSR - but he did appear for the showdown that afternoon. The hosts took an early lead thanks to a goal from Pereda in six minutes, but Khusainov levelled for the visitors with a superb free-kick just two minutes later. With the clock ticking down to the final whistle, and after a superb cross in from the right by Pereda, Marcelino headed home past the suddenly helpless 'Black Spider' Lev Yashin. Spain had won their first and to date, only major international trophy with the majestic Bernabeu as the backdrop.

Coming of age
The stadium underwent major remodelling and refurbishment work when Spain was chosen to host the 1982 FIFA World Cup - with the final to be hosted there. Its capacity was reduced to 90,000 and the ground was kitted out with the latest technology in the form of video scoreboards.

With the stadium filled to the rafters, Italy won their third FIFA World Cup crown at the expense of West Germany. Marco Tardelli was to earn himself a place in football lore for his wild celebration of Italy's second goal, putting the Azzurri into a lead which was to prove beyond the Germans. The joy on his face and his frantic race to the dugout to celebrate with his coach and team-mates live on in the collective memory.

Poacher supreme Paolo Rossi also got on the scoresheet for the Italians, picking up not only a winner's medal but the title of the tournament's top scorer. Another Italian legend, goalkeeper Dino Zoff, crowned a glittering career when, at the ripe old age of 40, he received the FIFA World Cup trophy from King Juan Carlos I of Spain.

White Coliseum
Santiago Bernabeu not only dreamt of a great stadium, he also envisaged a great team. The Real Madrid, which he created around the Blond Arrow Di Stefano, were eager to prove that they were worthy of their impressive home. And that is just what they did. Between 1956 and 1960, they won the first five editions of the European Cup and repeated the feat again in 1966.

The final of this famous competition has been held at the Bernabeu on three occasions. In 1957, Real Madrid overcame Fiorentina 2-0. In 1969, an unshakeable AC Milan brought Johan Cruyff's spectacular Ajax Amsterdam to their knees (4-1). And in 1980, Nottingham Forest retained their European Champions' crown by beating Hamburg (1-0).

As far as domestic competitions are concerned, as well as hosting the perennial Real Madrid-Barcelona superclasico, the Bernabeu has been home to more Copa del Rey finals than any other stadium. One never-to-be-forgotten encounter was the 2002 final, popularly known as the Centenariazo. On 6 March, which happened to be the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Madrid club, northern rivals Deportivo de la Coruna were bent on spoiling the party, which they memorably did thanks to strikes from Sergio and Diego Tristan.

Five-star stadium
In 1992, four imposing towers were added to facilitate access to and from the stands. The cover over the east stand and the remodelling of this part of the ground, which now house the director's box and the press area, meant that in 2005 the stadium attained 'five-star' status in accordance with UEFA standards. Also under consideration is a project to cover the entire Bernabeu with a transparent retractable roof.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Estadio Maracana - A Brazilian colossus

There are few stadiums in the world that can rightly claim to be truly historic monuments as well as sporting arenas. But the Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho, or the Maracana as it is popularly known, with its enormous expanse, huge seating capacity and majestic architecture, is definitely one of them.

Built in the heart of Río de Janeiro for the 1950 FIFA World Cup ™, the colossal stadium has witnessed some of the most unforgettable moments in Brazilian and world football.

Within the realm of South American football, the Maracana has taken on mythical proportions and represents an almost impregnable fortress. A good performance in itself is no guarantee of winning there. Some of Brazil's greatest ever players, Pele, Garrincha, Zico and Romario, have all graced the hallowed ground where fanatical crowds of up to 183,000 mean only the very toughest visitors survive.

Building for grandeur
With the FIFA World Cup as a pretext, the Brazilians set about building the biggest football stadium in the world. The idea was to construct an enormous structure that would provide a suitably majestic setting for the host country's victory at the 1950 tournament. And so work began in 1948 with over 10,000 labourers toiling ceaselessly under the blazing Rio sun. When the stadium was complete, the capacity exceeded the previous record holder, Hampden Park in Glasgow, by 43,000.

The A Noite newspaper reflected the immense sense of pride felt by all Brazilians at the time: "Today, Brazil has the biggest and the best stadium in the world. Now we have a truly fantastic setting where the whole world can admire our sporting grandeur and prowess."

The stadium was officially introduced to the world before the opening match of the 1950 FIFA World Cup, where the hosts would play five of their six games (one would be at the Pacaembu). Brazil, under Flavio Costa, were firm favourites to lift the trophy and approached the final contest against Uruguay with the swagger of champions-elect after easing aside Sweden and Spain 7-1 and 6-1 respectively. As the tournament was played on a final group stage basis that year, a draw was all Brazil needed in the deciding match to be crowned champions.

Maracanazolives for Brazil
The Final was played on 16 July 1950, in front of an official crowd of 174,000, although reliable sources put this figure much higher. One such person was Joao Havelange, the President of FIFA between 1974 and 1988, who recollects: "There were some 220,000 people in the stadium that day," a figure equivalent to 10 percent of Río de Janeiro's population at the time.

Things appeared to be going to plan when Friaca gave the home side the lead, but Uruguay's response was to rock Brazil to its very core. Juan Schiaffino and Alcides Ghiggia turned the game around for the Charrúa, handing them a 2-1 win and the title. Without doubt the saddest moment in the history of Brazilian football was met by an eerie, haunting silence in the gigantic stadium. The world's media dubbed Uruguay's shock victory as the Maracanazo, a term that is still used today whenever a visiting team wins at the stadium.

"Grown men fought back tears after the game. Some fans had left just before the end with the game all square, thinking Brazil were champions. Yet even before they reached the main gates, their dream had gone up in smoke," recalled Havelange.

As the story goes, the then President of FIFA, Jules Rimet, was making his way down to the pitch to present the trophy to the Brazilians. By the time he reached the pitch Uruguay had turned the game around and were now world champions. A little taken aback by the sudden turn of events, Rimet discarded the congratulatory speech that he had prepared for the Brazilians and simply handed the cup over to the Uruguayan hero Obdulio Varela.

Some say that Brazil have never fully avenged the defeat, but on 16 July 1989 a goal by Romario was enough to beat Uruguay in the final of that year's Copa America on the same ground.

Records, idols and a common ground
The property of the Rio de Janeiro state, the Maracana regularly hosts matches involving its 'big four' teams - Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense and Vasco. The Maracana has also witnessed some of the most memorable moments in the history of Brazilian football, such as Pele's 1000th career goal for Santos against Vasco on 19 November 1969. When Pele beat the Argentine goalkeeper Edgardo Andrada with a 34th minute penalty, the ensuing pitch invasion by hundreds of fans and photographers stopped the match.

One of the most poignant and evocative chapters in the stadium's history came on 20 January 1983, when Garrincha, one of the all-time greats of Brazilian football, passed away and his remains were brought to the stadium. Thousand of fans came to pay their respects and bid a final farewell to the idol.

In 2000, 50 years after the legendary Maracanazo, the stadium hosted the final of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup. In an all-Brazilian affair, 73,000 supporters saw Corinthians prevail against rivals Vasco to lift the trophy.

As for its immediate future, the Maracana may well go down the same route as London's Wembley Stadium after the President of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Ricardo Texeira, expressed his desire to raze the old stadium and rebuild a new one with the same name. The controversial proposal was met with huge protests and was rejected outright by the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro and the majority of its citizens. The matter is far from closed, however, and any decision is sure to have repercussions throughout Brazil.

As usual, the last word falls to the great Pele: "The Maracana is a special place for all Brazilians, but especially for me. It was there that I scored my first goal for the Auriverde against Argentina, and also where I scored my 1000th professional goal years later. Some 1,700 people have played on that pitch and the aura of the place is extraordinary."

source:http://www.fifa.com

San Siro - Milan's cathedral of football

The San Siro - or to give its official name, the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza - is the proud home of two of Italy's great football clubs, AC Milan and Internazionale. It is also no exaggeration to call it a symbol for football lovers the world over, in much the same way La Scala resonates far beyond Milan for opera aficionados. Situated on the western edge of the city with a capacity of 82,955, its steep access ramps and three tiers of stands make it appear every inch an unassailable fortress.

Befitting a venue of such grandeur, the San Siro has twice hosted football's most-renowned international showpiece. The FIFA World Cups ^TM of 1934 and 1990 both offered up historic encounters on what is one of the sport's purest stages.

The original structure was built to a typically English model, with four separate stands and room for only 35,000 fans. In the autumn of 1926 the inaugural match was held, a Milanese derby naturally, and to this day Inter hold the bragging rights of winning that first contest 6-3. The national team paid their first visit on 20 February 1927, playing out a 2-2 draw with Czechoslovakia. However, the real international baptism came seven years later with the 1934 FIFA World Cup.

The San Siro staged three matches as the world's leading teams congregated for a second time, beginning with an exciting 3-2 triumph for Switzerland over the Netherlands. The quarter-final contest that followed saw Germany emerge 2-1 winners against Sweden but it was on 3 June 1934, that the stadium earned its place in the hearts of Italian football fans as the tournament hosts took on Austria's outstanding Wunderteam in the semi-final. Amid a stirring atmosphere on a rain-soaked pitch, Italy secured a 1-0 victory through Enrico Guaita's 19 ^th-minute goal. Vittorio Pozzo's Azzurri went on to win the title against Czechoslovakia in Rome, lifting the Jules Rimet trophy for the first time.

By the time FIFA World Cup football returned to the San Siro in 1990, the old ground had been given a new name - not to mention a complete facelift. In 1980, the San Siro became the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza following the death of the eponymous Italy striker who starred for both Milan clubs and remains Inter's all-time record scorer.

A decade later the Giuseppe Meazza was unrecognisable from the stadium that had hosted those FIFA World Cup matches back in 1934. The stadium had already grown with the addition of a second tier in 1956 but the most significant developments came prior to Italia 90 with the construction of a third tier and the eleven towers that support the roof.

For the opening match of the 1990 FIFA World Cup the stadium offered the world a truly remarkable spectacle: in the city of Il Duomo, here was a space-age cathedral of football. Events on the pitch were equally spectacular. Reigning champions Argentina kicked off the tournament against a Cameroon side many thought were there to merely make up the numbers. Yet sporting logic was turned on its head as, in front of 73,780 spectators, François Omam-Biyik's 67th-minute goal announced the true arrival of African football. The few supporters of the Indomitable Lions who made the long trip to Milan celebrated long into the night their team's humbling of indelible legends such as Maradona, Burruchaga and Sensini.

If the San Siro saw the shock of the tournament, it also saw the best of the eventual winners, West Germany. With three Inter stars in their team - Andreas Brehme, Lothar Matthaus and Jurgen Klinsmann - Franz Beckenbauer's side received notable vocal support from the Milanese crowd gave and featured in all but one of the six matches held in the city. It was here that the Germans saw off Yugoslavia (4-1), United Arab Emirates (5-1), Netherlands (2-1) and Czechoslovakia (1-0). The only stumble from a powerful West Germany side at the San Siro came against Colombia, who managed a creditable 1-1 draw.

Of course, it does not take a FIFA World Cup to draw world stars to the San Siro which has witnessed many memorable triumphs down the decades from both Milan clubs (who between them have won over 30 Serie A titles). If numerous star names have graced the turf in the colours of both Milan and Inter, two local families have made as great a contribution as anybody. Cesare Maldini and his son Paolo are the thread that links Milan's first European Cup win in 1963 with more recent triumphs while in the black-and-blue corner, Massimo Moratti is owner of the club where his father Angelo presided over two European Cup triumphs in the 1960s.

Home to Milan since 1926 and to Inter since 1947, the San Siro is Italian football's finest stage. From Serie A showdowns to FIFA World Cups, it has a history and stature that few stadiums on the planet can match.

In almost a century of rivalry, only one man has ever come close to bridging the chasm. Having devoted the best part of his career to Inter, 1938 FIFA World Cup winner Giuseppe Meazza pulled on the red and black shirt for two seasons as well. After his death, both teams agreed that the stadium they share should be renamed in his honour, and since 3 March 1980, it has been officially called the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. For the superstitious supporters though, it will always be the San Siro.

source:http://www.fifa.com

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FIFA World Player

Messi and Marta rule 2009

Lionel Messi picked up his first FIFA World Player of the Year prize in 2009 while Marta ruled the women’s side yet again, scooping her fourth award.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Miroslav Klose-adidas Golden Shoe

Miroslav Klose

A man for the big occasion, Miroslav Klose proved himself a world-class scorer. His five strikes fired Germany to third place and bettered the tallies of Hernan Crespo and Ronaldo.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Zinedine Zidane-adidas Golden Ball

Zinedine Zidane

A superb goal against Spain, a dazzling display against Brazil and countless tricks earned Zinedine Zidane the press's vote for Germany 2006's top player.

source:http://www.fifa.com

South Africa 2010

South Africa 2010: 32 teams, 32 stories

The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ made history at the beginning as the first finals hosted in Africa and at the end with Spain becoming just the eighth team to win football's ultimate prize. In between, the world was exposed to South Africa like never before all the while being treated to one of the most balanced FIFA World Cups in recent memory.

Also a first, both teams from the previous Final failed to advance from the first round, as Italy and France crashed out in dramatic fashion. Fancied Brazil and Argentina were also eliminated earlier than many expected, as Uruguay and three European sides made up the last four. Join FIFA.com for a look at the 32 teams that came together to make South Africa 2010 a pageant of football.

Winners
Spain
The European champions were deserved winners of their first world crown despite losing their first match to Switzerland 1-0. Ironically La Roja won all of their knockout matches by that scoreline to become the first new winners of a FIFA World Cup without home advantage since Brazil lifted their first trophy in 1958.

Runners-up
Netherlands
The Dutch won all six of their matches on the way to the ultimate game, but could not prevent the third FIFA World Cup Final loss in their history. A come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Brazil in the last eight was arguably the highlight for the Oranje.

Third place
Germany
A young German team caught fire in the knock-out rounds, thumping four goals past England and Argentina, but Spain's juggernaut was too much in the last four. Top scorers for the second straight FIFA World Cup, their future is undoubtedly bright.

Fourth place
Uruguay
La Celeste were the biggest surprise package of South Africa, reaching a first semi-final since 1970. But the form of strikers Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez would have been enough to send any side far in the tournament.

Quarter-finalists
Argentina
Victorious in their first four matches, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Co ran into a German buzz saw in the last eight, with all of their frailties exposed in a 4-0 defeat.
Brazil
Everything was going according to plan for the five-time champions, but a second-half collapse against the Netherlands cost Dunga his job and left the 2014 hosts questioning themselves after consecutive last-eight exits.
Ghana
The Black Stars were Asamoah Gyan's last-kick penalty miss away from becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals. But the youngest team at the tournament are well placed for further success.
Paraguay
Decidedly difficult to beat, Paraguay topped their group and gave up just two goals in the tournament – to Italy and Spain. The latter knocked out Gerardo Martino's side but not before they had advanced further than ever before.

Round of 16
Chile
One of the most open and attack-minded teams in the tournament, Marcelo Bielsa's men ended a 48-year wait for a FIFA World Cup win but a match-up with Brazil was too much as they fell 3-0 in the second round.
England
An early goal in the much-anticipated match with the US augured well, but England never built on that and suffered their worst finals loss in history, a 4-1 dismantling by old enemies Germany.
Japan
A penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Paraguay was a hard end for a team that had achieved their first two World Cup wins on foreign soil, finishing second in their group behind the rampaging Dutch.
Korea Republic
They recovered from a 4-1 loss to Argentina to reach the second round for the first time beyond their own shores, but once there, they could not overcome Uruguay and a rampant Luis Suarez.
Mexico
An exciting team going forward, El Tri advanced to the second round for the fifth consecutive time, but as in 2006, a powerful Argentina proved their undoing.
Portugal
The Portuguese scored seven goals, all of which came against Korea DPR, but a single goal by Iberian rivals Spain was enough to break Cristiano Ronaldo and Co's 19-match unbeaten streak.
Slovakia
Despite being knocked out by the Netherlands, Slovakia will always remember their first finals as an independent nation for the exciting 3-2 win over holders Italy that propelled them into the Round of 16.
USA
Comeback kings in South Africa, the US fought back to draw against England and Slovenia before topping Group C with a last-gasp winner against Algeria. Resilient Ghana were one step too far in the last 16 as the Americans fell after extra time.

Group stage
Algeria
Les Fennecs lost to Slovenia and the US on late goals, and in between they drew with England, but their failure to find a single goal was disappointing.
Australia
A draw with Ghana and a defeat of Serbia put Australia remarkably close to advancing from Group D considering they had to deal with suspensions to Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell and an opening 4-0 loss to Germany.
Cameroon
The Indomitable Lions failed to roar at the FIFA World Cup once again as they became the first team eliminated from the finals and went home with no points.
Côte d'Ivoire
Largely considered Africa's most talented team, they could not get through a difficult group, eliminated on goal difference by Portugal despite the inspiring presence of Didier Drogba, playing with his arm in a cast.
Denmark
The Danes were always working uphill after an unlucky own goal against the Netherlands, but with a straightforward task in their last group match – beat Japan to advance – they lost disappointingly 3-1.
France
Finalists four years before, France's fall was dramatic as Les Bleus scored just a single goal while winning one point and suffering through a player revolt that left the team's future fractured.
Greece
Greece scored a goal and won a match at the finals for the first time, but a 2-1 defeat of Nigeria was not enough for them to end the Otto Rehhagel era on a high by escaping the group stage.
Honduras
Only a scoreless draw with Switzerland to close the group kept Honduras from going home pointless, and the Central Americans did not find the goal once in a lacklustre campaign.
Italy
The deposed champions fell at the first hurdle for the first time since 1974 after failing to win a single match. Marcello Lippi's men were a shadow of their 2006 selves, losing to Slovakia 3-2 in their decisive Group F encounter.
Korea DPR
A mystery team going in, the Koreans showed solidity in a narrow defeat by Brazil, but then collapsed against Portugal, conceding six in the second half of a tournament-high 7-0 loss.
New Zealand
Definite outsiders to start, the All Whites went home unbeaten from their first finals since 1982, proud to have claimed three draws to finish above holders Italy in Group F.
Nigeria
One point from Group B was a cruel fate for the Super Eagles, who lost a lead against Greece after a red card and were unlucky to draw with Korea Republic in their final contest when a win would have seen them through.
Serbia
One of the favoured dark horses coming into the event, Serbia did the hard work of beating Germany but losses to Ghana and Australia ensured Radomir Antic's men headed for home as one of the bigger disappointments.
Slovenia
The nearly men can only lament the loss of a two-goal lead against USA when victory would have qualified them for the last 16 with a game to spare – and USA's last-minute winner against Algeria that sent them home.
South Africa
Despite becoming the first host nation to fail to advance out of the group stage, Bafana Bafana will take some pride from a marvellous goal to open the tournament and a victory over former world champions France.
Switzerland
Ottmar Hitzfeld had Switzerland ready to go in South Africa, but a famous 1-0 win over Spain to open the event came to naught after they failed to score again.

source:http://www.fifa.com

Iniesta puts Spain on top of the world

Champions of Europe and now champions of the world, Spain captured football's Holy Grail for the first time with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands thanks to Andres Iniesta's 116th-minute strike at Soccer City.

The solitary goal came with penalties looming as substitute Cesc Fabregas played in Iniesta and the little midfielder drove emphatically across Maarten Stekelenburg and into the far corner. With this victory – their fourth successive single-goal win in South Africa – Spain became the eighth name on the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy and also the first European team to have triumphed on a different continent. For the Netherlands, who lost defender John Heitinga to a red card in extra time, there is only the heartache of another tale of what might have been after they completed a hat-trick of Final losses.

This was a match preceded by much talk of two like-minded footballing cultures, of the influence of Dutchmen like Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, of 'tiki taka' and Total Football. In many ways, as the first 116 minutes showed, it was also a case of the irresistible force versus the immovable object. The Dutch had won 14 straight games to get to the Final, in qualifying and the tournament proper, and Spain 15 out of 16, their only slip the defeat by Switzerland in their first game here in South Africa.

It was the Spanish found their stride first, living up to their pre-game billing as favourites. Vicente del Bosque's side dominated possession and created the early chances. With the Dutch penned inside their half, goalkeeper Stekelenburg had to make a save after five minutes, diving low to stop a Sergio Ramos header from Xavi's free-kick from the right. Gerard Pique looked poised to follow up only to be denied by a combination of Joris Mathijsen and Dirk Kuyt.

Ramos came again in the tenth minute, beating Kuyt on the right and driving in a low centre that Heitinga deflected behind. From the corner came another scare for the Netherlands. Xavi played the ball back to Xabi Alonso whose cross went beyond the far post to David Villa but the in-form No7 sliced his volley into the side-netting. After those near things, however, both defences got on top with none of the flair players on either side able to take a grip on proceedings. Instead the yellow-card count began to rise with Nigel de Jong becoming the fifth player in Howard Webb's notebook by the time the half-hour mark arrived.

With the orange sections of the 84,490 Soccer City crowd finding their voice, Bert van Marwijk's men almost gave them something to sing about from a corner in the 37th minute. Robben rolled the ball to Mark van Bommel on the edge of the box and although he failed to make a clean connection he unwittingly diverted the ball on to the unmarked Mathijsen but the defender missed his kick. As half-time approached, Iker Casillas had barely had a save to make but entering stoppage time, he had to be alert to deny Robben at his near post as a spell of Dutch pressure ended with the winger spearing in a low shot from the corner of the box.

Puyol, Spain's semi-final matchwinner, showed his aerial threat once more minutes after the restart when he rose above Heitinga and headed to the far post but Joan Capdevila failed to make contact. The game was gradually opening up and the Dutch spurned a golden opportunity in the 62nd minute when Wesley Sneijder sent Robben running clear. Casillas came to Spain's rescue, deflecting the shot behind with his right foot when falling the wrong way.

Spain coach Del Bosque had already sent on Jesus Navas for Pedro on the hour and the winger helped pick a hole in the Dutch defence in the 70th minute. Xavi sent him flying down the right into the box and when Heitinga failed to deal with Navas's low cross, the ball fell to Villa who looked odds-on to score only to see his effort deflected behind. Ramos was equally profligate after 78 minutes when he headed over a Xavi centre when unmarked, after Villa had forced another corner.

Spain were looking the more likely winners and it took Sneijder of all people to foil Iniesta with a smart tackle after his jinking run into the box. Yet Robben's pace was a persistent threat and the Oranje No11 almost embarrassed Puyol in the 82nd minute, speeding clear of the Spain defender when second-favourite to reach a through-ball. Resisting Pique's attempt to tackle too, he was foiled only by Casillas, the captain saving at Robben's feet as the Dutchman tried to round him.

Extra time began with opportunities for Spain. Xavi failed to connect when well positioned and when the ball ran to Villa, his shot went wide off an orange shirt. Substitute Fabregas then broke clear on to Iniesta's through-ball but was foiled by Stekelenburg. Mathijsen headed wide from a corner but like waves, Spanish attacks kept rolling on to the Netherlands back line and Navas was close with a shot deflected into the side-netting.

Fernando Torres replaced Villa midway through the extra period and Spain gained a man advantage four minutes later with Heitinga's dismissal for pulling back Iniesta on the edge of the box, the offence earning him a second yellow. Iniesta would not be denied, however, and his fine late strike put Spain into the history books and left a Dutch dream shattered.

source:http://www.fifa.com