Who will win 2010 World Cup?

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Italians stunned, Spain & Germany win
World champions Italy were beaten 2-1 by Mexico on Thursday, while Spain saw off South Korea 1-0 and Germany beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1.
Goals from Carlos Vela and second-half substitute Alberto Medina helped Mexico to consign world champions Italy to a 2-1 friendly defeat in Brussels.
Bastian Schweinsteiger converted two penalties in four minutes to give Germany a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Bosnia in their final World Cup warm-up game.
Germany looked sluggish in the first-half but substitutes Thomas Müller, Marko Marin and Cacau added pace after the interval as Germany struck three times in 27 minutes.
Jesus Navas struck a stunning winner as Spain left it late once again before recording a narrow World Cup warm-up victory over South Korea.
Five days after Fernando Llorente's injury-time effort earned Spain a 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia, Navas popped up four minutes from time to slam an unstoppable 25-yard effort into the top corner of the net for the only goal of the match in Innsbruck.
That was Navas' first goal for his country and means the European champions have now won 11 successive games, and improved their overall record during the last few years to 44 victories - including two after extra time - in 47 matches, with just one defeat.
Spain had to work hard for the triumph, though, and it was not until the second-half introduction of some of their big guns that the Iberian nation started to take a clear upper hand.

Italy's national football team players pose before the friendly football match Italy vs Mexico on June 3, 2010 at the stadium in Brussels ahead of the FIFA 2010 World Cup held in South Africa. Mexico won 2-1. FromL (BackRow): Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Leonardo Bonucci, Alberto Gilardino, Domenico Criscito. (FrontRow) Claudio Marchisio, Gianluca Zambrotta, Andrea Pirlo, Antonio Di Natale, Daniele De Rossi, Fabio Cannavaro.

Italy's Leonardo Bonucci, left, challenges with Mexico's Carlos Vela, during a friendly match at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, ahead of the World Cup in South Africa, Thursday June 3, 2010.

Mexico's players congratulate team mate Alberto Medina, after he scored against Italy, during a friendly match at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, ahead of the World Cup in South Africa, Thursday June 3, 2010.

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Italy's National Soccer Federation President Giancarlo Abete ((2ndL) and team coach Marcello Lippi (R) and player Fabio Cannavaro (2ndR)arrive to commemorate the 39 football fans who died in the Heysel stadium at the 1985 European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus, ahead of a friendly match at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels on June 3, 2010 ahead of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Italy's forward Vincenzo Iaquinta (R) is fouled by Mexico's Carlos Vela (L) during a friendly football match on June 3, 2010 at the Heysel stadium in Brussels ahead of the FIFA 2010 World Cup held in South Africa. Before the match, players paid tribute to the 39 people, mostly Juventus fans, who died 25 years ago when a wall collapsed as they waited to watch their team play Liverpool in the European Cup final at the stadium in Brussels. Another 600 fans were injured.

Italy's forward Leonardo Bonucci (R) scores against Mexico during a friendly football match on June 3, 2010 at the Heysel stadium in Brussels.


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Spain's national football team pose just before the start of their friendly match with South Korea in Innsbruck on June 3, 2010

South Korea national football team pose before their friendly match with Spain in Innsbruck on June 3, 2010.

South Korea coach Huh Jung Moo and Spain's coach Vincente Del Bosque reacts during a friendly match between Spain and South Korea in Innsbruck on June 3, 2010

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South Korea fans celebrate during a friendly match between Spain and South Korea in Innsbruck on June 3, 2010

Spain's Jesus Navas celebrates after scoring during a friendly soccer match between Spain and South Korea in Innsbruck, Austria, Thursday, June 3, 2010. Spain won 1-0. Spain and South Korean soccer teams are in Austria in preparation for the 2010 World cup in South Africa.

 

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(Back row, from L) German midfielder Piotr Trochowski, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, defender Arne Friedrich, defender Per Mertesacker forward Miroslav Klose and midfielder Sami Khedira (Front row, from L) German defender Philipp Lahm, midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, midfielder Mesut Oezil, forward Lukas Podolski and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger pose for the team photo ahead of the friendly football match Germany vs Bosnia in the central German city of Frankfurt am Main on June 3, 2010.

Germany supporters display a placard calling for German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger to become president during the friendly football match Germany vs Bosnia in the central German city of Frankfurt am Main on June 3, 2010. Germany is facing Bosnia-Herzegovina in their last warm-up ahead of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger scores the first penalty during the friendly football match Germany vs Bosnia in the central German city of Frankfurt am Main on June 3, 2010.​

 

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The Brazil team bus is surrounded by fans as they arrive at the stadium for the Brazil Training session at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on June 3, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.​

 

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South African fans run to catch a glimpse of the Brazilian soccer team arriving to training session on June 3, 2010 in the Soweto neighborhood of Johannesburg, South Africa. Thousands of free tickets were given to local residents to see the five-time World Cup champions train.

The players warm up infront of locals from Soweto during the Brazil Training session at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on June 3, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Kaka shares a joke during the Brazil Training session at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on June 3, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Brazil Head Coach Dunga controls the ball during the Brazil Training session at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on June 3, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Brazilian national football team coach Dunga walks back after he offered footballs and a flag to young fans during a public training session on June 3, 2010 in Johannesburg ahead of the FIFA 2010 World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Brazil will play its first group G match against North Korea on June 15 in Johannesburg.​

 

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Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina national football yells instructions during training session on June 3, 2010 in Pretoria, South Africa. Argentina opens their 2010 World Cup against Nigeria on June 12 in Johannesburg.

Argentina's national soccer team coach Diego Maradona gives instructions to his players Maximiliano Rodriguez (L) and Sebastian Veron (R) during a practice session at the squad camp in Pretoria June 3, 2010.

Argentina's coach Diego Maradona, right, leads his soccer players off the field after a practice in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, June 3, 2010.
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South Korean fans cheer before the start of the International Friendly match between Spain and South Korea at Stadion Tivoli Neu on June 3, 2010 in Innsbruck, Austria.

South Korea coach Huh Jung Moo reacts during a friendly match between Spain and South Korea in Innsbruck on June 3, 2010.
South Korea's goalkeeper Woon Jae Lee reacts during a friendly soccer match between Spain and South Korea in Innsbruck, Austria, Thursday, June 3, 2010.

South Korea's Jung Sung-Ryong tries to save a ball during a friendly soccer match in Innsbruck June 3, 2010.

Goalkeeper Ryong Jung Sung of South Korea sits dejected after conceding a goal during the International Friendly match between Spain and South Korea at Stadion Tivoli Neu on June 3, 2010 in Innsbruck, Austria
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South Africa's Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe holds the FIFA World Cup trophy after receiving it from FIFA President Joseph Blatter, left, at the presidential house in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, June 4, 2010. The first World Cup finals are to be played in Africa will starting on June 11.​

 

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Australian national football team players pose for a team photo before the start of a friendly against the US national team at the Ruimsig Stadium in Johannesburg on June 5, 2010.

US national football team players pose for a team photo before the start of a friendly against the Autralian national team at the Ruimsig Stadium in Johannesburg on June 5, 2010.​

 

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Clinton Dempsey (2nd R) of the U.S. scores with a header against goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer (L) of Australia during their friendly soccer match at Ruimsig stadium in Roodepoort, just outside Johannesburg June 5, 2010.

Edson Buddle #14 of USA score agoal on a header against Mark Schwarzer #1 of Australia during the first half of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Pre-Tournament match between the Australian Socceroos and the United States of America at Ruimsig Stadium on June 5, 2010 in Roodepoort, South Africa.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard (2nd L) and defender Steven Cherundolo (6) of the U.S. let in a goal by Australia's Tim Cahill (not pictured) during their friendly soccer match in Roodepoort, just outside Johannesburg June 5, 2010.
The United States beat Australia 3-1
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South African supporters cheer their team before the international friendly soccer match against Denmark at the Super Stadium in Pretoria June 5, 2010.

South African Striker Katlego Mphela vies for the ball with Denmarks Daniel Agger, during the friendly football match between South Africa and Denmark at Atteridgeville Super Stadium in Pretoria on June 5, 2010. The South African team won the match 1-0, prior to the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
South African defender Aaron Mokoena clashes with an unidentified Danish player during the friendly football match between South Africa and Denmark at Atteridgeville Super Stadium in Pretoria on June 5, 2010.

South Africa 1 Denmark 0

June 5 2010​

Katlego Mphela scored on 76 minutes as the World Cup hosts South Africa beat fellow qualifiers Denmark 1-0 in a warm-up match, which stretched their unbeaten run to 12 games.
The striker called 'Killer' has been linked with Birmingham City and he pounced on a defence-splitting pass to fire the ball under the body of Stefan Andersen which settled the contest.
Scoring chances were scarce in a goalless, cagey first half with neither team able to stamp their authority in warm, clear autumn weather at a stadium renamed after former star Lucas Moripe.
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira stuck with a 4-2-3-1 formation that has helped his team remain unbeaten since the Brazilian took​

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Serbia Beat Cameroon 4-3, While Italy Held 1-1 By Switzerland
Serbia have beaten Cameroon in a seven goal thriller that saw the victors winning by the odd goal in their World Cup warmup international friendly.

The Serbians came from behind to just edged the African opponents 4-3 after an exciting goalscoring first-half that saw six goals going in.

Pierre Webo scored twice in the first half and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, midway in the second half for Cameroon, while four different players – Milos Krasic, Dejan Stankovic, Nenad Milijas and Marko Pantelic netted for the Serbians – who were with out Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic.

Webo gave Cameroon the lead after just five-minutes and then put them back in front again in the 20th, following Krasic equalizer that made the game 1-1 in the 16th minute.

Serbia then scored three unanswered goal – through Stankovic, Milijas from the penalty spot and a late first half strike by Pantelic to take a two goal cushion at the interval.

Choupo-Moting scored in the 67th minute for Cameroon to setup a nervous finish, but Serbia held on for the win.

Cameroon were without suspended captain Samuel Eto’o who was red-carded in the previous warmup.

In other matches played on Saturday: Algeria beat United Arab Emirates 1-0, Karim Ziani scoring a second half penalty, Slovakia, with goals from Robert Vittek, Stanislav Sestak and an own goal by Douglas Esteban Solano Sequeira beat Costa Rica 3-0, while Romania also defeated Honduras 3-0.

The goals coming from Daniel George Niculae, Gheorghe Mihai Florescu and a penalty kick by Mirel Matei Radoi.

Earlier USA beat Australia 3-1 and Owusu-Abeyie Quincy scored in Ghana’s 1-0 victory over Latvia.

Elsewhere, Switzerland and Italy played to a 1-1 draw.

Serbia national football team poses prior to the WC2010 friendly football match Serbia vs Cameroon at Partizan stadium in Belgrade on June 5, 2010 ahead of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. (FromL) BottomRow: Aleksandar Lukovic, Milos Krasic, Milan Jovanovic, Ivan Obradovic and Nikola Zigic. TopRow: Dejan Stankovic, Vladimir Stojkovic, Nenad Milijas, Neven Subotic, Branislav Ivanovic and Marko Pantelic.

Fabio Quagliarella of Italy (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the international friendly match between Switzerland and Italy

Switzerland's midfielder Gokhan Inler (C) beats Italy's goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and scores during the WC2010 friendly football match Switzerland vs Italy at Geneva's stadium on June 5, 2010 ahead of the FIFA 2010 World Cup held in South Africa.
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China upsets France 1-0, Didier Drogba breaks arm in Ivory Coast's 2-0 win over Japan
By The Associated Press (CP)

LONDON — France was beaten 1-0 in an upset by non-qualifier China in World Cup warmup action Friday, and Ivory Coast's 2-0 victory over Japan was marred by a broken arm to Didier Drogba that looks like ruling the striker out of the competition.

France's football national team pose before the friendly football match France vs China at the Michel Volnay Stadium in Saint-Pierre, on the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, on June 4, 2010​

Deng Zhuo Xiang's 68th-minute free kick was enough to beat a strong France lineup at Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.

China's Deng Zhuoxiang (L) bicycle kick next to French forward Franck Ribery during the friendly football match France versus China at the Michel Volnay Stadium in Saint-Pierre, on the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion on June 4, 2010
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A strong France lineup, with Thierry Henry going on as a second half substitute, was frustrated by repeated saves by China's goalkeeper and its own persistence in trying to walk the ball into the net.

France's William Gallas, second right, looks dejected as China's Wang Qiang, Li Xuepeng, goal keeper Zeng Cheng, from left, and Zhu Ting, right celebrate their 1-0 goal at the pre-Worldcup friendly soccer match against France at Michel Volnay stadium in Saint Pierre, Friday June 4, 2010 in the French overseas territory of La Reunion Island. France plays its last preparation match ahead of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

A Chinese flag, bottom left, seen amid French national flags during a pre-World Cup friendly match France against China
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Japan's Marcus Tulio Tanaka deflected Drogba's drive into his own net and Kolo Toure added a late second for the Ivorians in Sion, Switzerland.

Tulio collided with Drogba in the 15th minute, forcing the Ivory Coast striker off the field and jeopardizing his participation at the World Cup in South Africa, which starts next Friday.

Drogba, whose goals helped Chelsea win the Premier League and FA Cup, collapsed in pain after the high challenge from Tulio.

"It's an elbow injury for sure. How bad it is, I don't know. He had a lot of pain," Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said. "Of course I'm worried. He's our captain and one of the best players in the world."

Ivory Coast faces arguably the toughest group, with matches against Portugal, Brazil and North Korea.

After their fourth straight defeat, the Japanese will be short of confidence before they play Cameroon, Netherlands and Denmark.

Later Friday, Milivoje Novakovic scored twice and Andraz Kirm added another goal for Slovenia to defeat New Zealand 3-1 in a World Cup warmup for both countries. Rory Fallon scored for New Zealand.

England was also hit by an injury blow Friday, with captain Rio Ferdinand ruled out of the World Cup with knee ligament damage after being hurt at training. England sent for Michael Dawson as a replacement and Steven Gerrard will take over as captain.

 

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USA 3 Australia 1: Beckham employed as Capello's secret agent

Australia's national soccer team striker Tim Cahill celebrates with teammate Craig Moore (L) after scoring his team's first goal against the U.S. during their friendly soccer match at the Ruimsig stadium in Roodepoort, just outside of Johannesburg June 5, 2010.

England spy David Beckham was in the stands to watch Los Angeles Galaxy team-mate Edson Buddle send out a strong warning to Fabio Capello ahead of Saturday's World Cup opener in Rustenburg.
Beckham helped Buddle get his career back on track with advice during their time together in California. But he must have mixed feelings after the 29-year-old scored the first international goals of his career to give an England defence missing Rio Ferdinand something to think about.
Beckham, injured for the World Cup, joined Capello's assistant Franco Baldini in Roodepoort to have a look at England's first opponents. They saw a strong, well-organised USA side upset fellow finalists Australia by soaking up pressure before cleverly catching them on the break.
They will have noted the potential problems of the high altitude in South Africa and the occasional deviations of the World Cup matchball.
Buddle is a striker experiencing a dramatic turnaround in fortune after receiving several pep talks from Beckham in California. A surprise pick in the USA squad, his goals have probably booked his starting place for the England game, even though he only played yesterday because of a sprained ankle suffered by Hull City striker Jozy Altidore.

Edson Buddle (C) of the U.S scores against Australia's Vincenzo Grella (13), Lucas Neill (2) and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer during their friendly soccer match at the Ruimsig stadium in Roodepoort, just outside of Johannesburg June 5, 2010

Edson Buddle of the U.S. celebrates.
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South African police officers stand at attention in front of the airport terminal waiting for the arrival of Japan's national football team in the South African city of George on June 6, 2010.

South African police force officers patrol upon the Japanese team arrival at the Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, June 6, 2010.

Japan's head coach Takeshi Okada (L) is welcomed by the executive mayor of the city of George, Mercia Diraghoender (C), upon the team's arrival at George airport on June 6, 2010. Japan's national football team arrived here to hold their 2010 World Cup training camp ahead of the start of the tournament on June 11.

Members of Japan's national football team (from L) Yuji Nakazawa, Shunsuke Nakamura, Seigo Narazaki and Junichi Inamoto walk toward the terminal upon the team's arrival at George airport on June 6, 2010.
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Soccer Fans Stampede Gates Outside Stadium
TEMBISA, South Africa June 6, 2010,
Thousands of soccer fans stampeded the gates outside a stadium Sunday before a World Cup warmup match between Nigeria and North Korea, leaving several people injured.

Police restrain fans prior to the warmup match between North Korea and Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday June 6, 2010. ​

Several fans fell under the rush of people, many wearing Nigeria jerseys. The Makhulong Stadium in the Johannesburg suburb seats about 10,000 fans.

"The crowd just overpowered me and I went down," said Japhta Mombelo, who was bleeding from the head. "I fell down and people just fell over me.

"That crowd is overpowering. The police have told me to stay around and they will organize an ambulance, but I am still waiting."

Police officers stand next to the gates prior to the warmup match between North Korea and Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday June 6, 2010.

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The first rush came when the gates opened to allow fans into the stadium. Police soon closed the gates, but when they were reopened, a second rush occurred, with more people falling and being run over.

"When we were coming in they were just stepping on us," said Princess Mbali, who was wearing a green South Africa shirt. "I thought I was dying. I was at the bottom."

Shortly after the second rush, the gates were closed again and much of the crowd dissipated.

"The police aren't saying anything, just go and watch the match," Mbali said. "How can we watch the match when we are hurt? Maybe my ribs are broken. No one is helping us and we are South Africans."

A policeman was hurt in the crush and left bloodied. He was later taken away on a stretcher. Other fans who appeared to be lightly injured walked away from the scene as it calmed down.

The Nigeria and North Korean teams were lining up for the national anthems when the second surge happened. They had no idea what was going on outside.

World Cup security was not in place at the match because it was a friendly, but one policeman blamed FIFA for the trouble.

"FIFA made the tickets free and now look," said the policeman, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. "FIFA wanted them free."

Such incidents frequently happen in soccer. Last year, FIFA fined Ivory Coast's federation $46,800 after 22 people died in a stampede at a World Cup qualifying match.

 

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FIFA's assigned referees pose during an open media day on June 6, 2010 in Pretoria.​