World Cup 2010 Photo Gallery

[Sun Jian]

Mexico goalkeeper Oscar Perez proves his head is in the game with an improvised piece of defending

Efrain Huarez baffles the South Africa defence by defying the laws of gravity

Rafael Marquez scores the equalising goal, much to the disapproval of the home crowd

Katlego Mphela roars in frustration after his last minute effort to snatch glory South Africa cannons off the post


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[Sun Jian]

French XI: Raymond Domenech's starting line up pose for a team photograph

Uruguay XI: The South American team enjoy the calm before the storm that is their World Cup opener

Abou diaby utilises his impressive frame to full potential among a crowd of Uruguay players

Diego Godin of Uruguay flies into a challenge ahead of Nicolas Anelka


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[Sun Jian]

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernand Muslera at full stretch to prevent a speculative effort from Gourcuff

High and wide: with William Gallas paying close attention Diego Forlan can only skew his effort off target

Jeremy Toulalan and Diego Lugano find themselves in disagreement as the game drew to its conclusion

Seeing red: Urugay's Nicolas Lodeiro is shown the first red card of the 2010 World Cup

Seeing red: Nicolas Lodeiro cuts a lonely figure after he is given his marching orders for two bookable offences


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[Sun Jian]

Patriotism: South Korea players listen to their national anthem

Lee Jung-soo, second from right, scores the first goal.

First blood: all Greece can do is look on as Lee Jung-soo, right, celebrates his goal to make it 1-0.

Captain fantastic: Park Ji-Sung scores South korea's second goal

Frustration: Greece's Angelos Charisteas bangs the pitch after a save by South Korea goalkeeper Jung Sung Ryong.

Despair: defender Vasilis Torosidis cannot believe Greece wasted a great goalscoring opportunity.


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[Sun Jian]

The hand of God: the infamous hand in full show as Maradona blows a kiss to the crowd.

Anticipation peak: a heaving Ellis Park crowd welcomes the teams in Johannesburg

Nigeria lineup: The African team go through the pre match formalities

Argentina lineup: as do their Group B opponents

Perfect start: Gabriel Heinze athletically diverts Juan Sebastian Veron's corner into the top corner to give Argentina an early advantage


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[Sun Jian]

Latin grit: Gabriel Heinze revels in the celebrations of his opening goal

Messi stop: Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is equal to the early threat of Lionel Messi

Sky high: Jonas Gutierrez takes a leap of faith over Nigeria's Chinedu Obasi

Caged animal: Lionel Messi demands the attention of three Nigerian defenders who still struggle to contain the Argentinian maestro


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[Sun Jian]

Reluctant passenger: Not content with outwitting Nigeria's Peter Odemwinge, Lionel Messi decides to carry his opponent in tow

Flat out: a struggling Taye Taiwo is nursed by a sympathetic team mate

Showing the strain: Taye Taiwo is a picture of discomfort as he is assisted off the field

Stay down: Argentina captain Javier Mascherano deploys a a useful trick to restrain Nigeria's Obafemi Martins during their Group B clash


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[Sun Jian]

The Royal Bafokeng Stadium in all its glory prepares to host England v USA

England and the USA emerge from the tunnel to a rapturous reception

England XI: Fabio Capello's starting line up pose for a pre-match photograph

USA XI: England's Group C opponents together ahead of kick off

England coach Fabio Capello gives his approval after watching his side make a perfect start to their World Cup campaign


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[Sun Jian]

James Milner's booking for this challenge on Steve Cherundolo resulted in the Aston Villa midfielder being replaced by Shaun Wright Phillips

John Terry willingly puts his head in a precarious position under a high challenge from Jozy Altidore

Emile Heskey's desperate attempt to win the ball leaves USA goalkeeper Tim Howard writhing in pain

Wayne Rooney singlehandedly holds off the the challenges of two USA players

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Robert Green is consoled by England goalkeeping trio David James, Joe Hart and Ray Clemence at the break


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[Sun Jian]

Emile Heskey is sandwiched between Michael Bradley and Jay DeMerit

Glen Johnson pleads to return to the action with a hastily improvised solution to a bleeding lip

Making atonement: Robert Green's splendid save to deny Jozy Altidore goes some way to making up for a critical earlier howler

Desperatev dive: Wayne Rooney fails to connect with a cross that drifts harmlessly wide of Tim Howard's goal

England captain Steven Gerrard gets his side off to an emphatic start with this fourth minute strike

Captain marvel: Steven Gerrard wheels away in delight at scoring the opening goal of Group C for England


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[Sun Jian]

Steven Gerrard is mobbed by his team mates after putting England into the lead

Wayne Rooney drops to his knees to join his England team mates in celebration

Safe hands? Robert Green appears to have the situation under control as the ball trickles in his direction

Desperate lunge: Robert Green is helpless to retrieve the ball before it crosses the line

Robert Green despairs after his howling error allowed Clint Dempsey's tame effort to level the scores

Rob of the Green: Clint Dempsey leaps into the arms of his welcoming team mates after his calamitous equaliser

Swap shop: both goalscorers Clint Dempsey and Steven Gerrard exchange shirts at the conclusion of a hard fought 1-1 draw


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[BlueCat]

an equaliser gifted by Robert Green.
not a good start for England.

 

[Sun Jian]

Slovenia's Robert Koren celebrates with team-mates after scoring winner against Algeria Photo: REUTERS

Ghana side line up for their national anthem in front of African expectancy


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Complaints from Kevin Prince Boateng towards Argentine referee Hector Baldassi about a foul fall on deaf ears.

Serbia striker Nikola Zigic is shown a yellow card in the first half.

Future Liverpool winger Milan Jovanovic is brought down in a uncompromising manner by Kevin Prince Boateng.

Asamoah Gyan (r), under pressure from Aleksandar Lukovic, struggles to make contact with the ball in the six-yard box.


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[Sun Jian]

The Ghanaian wall does its job, getting in the way of a Serbian set-piece.

Disbelief: Nemanja Vidic and Aleksandar Lukovic are sandwiched in-between the crestfallen Asamoah Gyan (l) and Andre Ayew.

The red card is shown to Aleksandar Lukovic and Serbia are down to ten men.

Can't believe his eyes: Zdravko Kuzmanovic is shown a yellow card - although he doesn't want to see it
- after giving away a penalty for handball against Ghana.

Asamoah Gyan hits the penalty...

Wrong way: ... and sends Vladimir Stojkovic the wrong way as Africa erupts.

Leading the merry dance: ... and it's Gyan who leads the charge as Ghana celebrate.


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[Sun Jian]

Unbridled joy: an Asamoah Gyan penalty gives Ghana a 1-0 lead against Serbia

Unbelievable: Nemanja Vidic cannot quite believe Serbia have gone a goal down.

Ghana players are mobbed by mystery attackers in orange bibs.

Defeat is a bitter pill to swallow for Serbia captain Dejan Stankovic.

Coach Radomir Antic tells Aleksandar Kolorov it's time to go home, but the Serbia defender is having none of it after a defeat which leaves his side a mountain to climb to progress from Group D.


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[Sun Jian]

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Team bonding: a pre-match pep talk is publicly staged by the Germans

Australia: Pim Verbeek's starting XI to take on Germany

Aerial threat: pint sized Australian Tim Cahill once again proves his aerial prowess with a well timed header

German blockade: captain Philipp Lahm is forced in to some early last ditch defending to keep out Richard Garcia's effort

Power house: Lukas Podolski's rasping drive proves too hot to handle for Australia goalkeeper
Mark Schwarzer who can only parry the ball into the top corner

Lukas Podolski erupts after giving Germany the lead

Heads I win: Germany's Miroslav Klose risks life and limb to meet the ball ahead of Mark Schwarzer and double Germany's advantage


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[Sun Jian]

Miroslav Klose gives a modest assessment of his first goal at World Cup 2010

Cowering Aussie: a sheepish Lucas Neill was resolutely humbled by Germany's dynamic first half display

Great escape: Australia captain Lucas Neill comes to the rescue of his goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to deny Mesut Ozil a World Cup debut goal

Germany's Arne Friedrich takes a free ride on the back of Tim Cahill much to the displeasure of the Australian

Richard Garcia avoids the challenge of Philipp Lahm in flamboyant fashion

Germany coach Joachim Loew (right) gives an acknowledgment of his approval with goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke

Standing tall: the officials led by referee Marco Rodriguez (centre) are forced to listen to the desperate appeals of Australia captain Lucas Neill


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[Sun Jian]

Bastian Schweinsteiger buckles under a clumsy challenge from Tim Cahill who suffered the consequences

Mutual perplexion: the Australia players showcase their shock at the referee's decision to dismiss Tim Cahill

Germany striker Thomas Muller finds the corner of the goal to put Germany into a three goal lead

Germany's advantage is extended further by substitute Cacau

Brazil born striker Cacau is in party mode within minutes of entering the field as a substitute

Australia's defeated players struggle to comprehend what hit them against a backdrop heaving with jubilation


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[Sun Jian]

Holland fans bring their customary tidal wave of orange to Soccer City, Johannesburg

On your marks: a communal stretch precedes the game for the match officials

Team Denmark unite for the national anthem

Denmark starting XI to face Holland


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[Sun Jian]

Holland starting XI to face Denmark

Inter Milan's treble winning playmaker Wesley Sneijder escapes the attentions of two Denmark players

Wesley Sneijder is forced to take drastic action avoid Martin Jorgenson's sliding challenge

Rafael van der Vaart is sent flying in his pursuit of the ball

Copy cat: Denmark's Simon Poulsen and Dirk Kuyt of Holland take uniform action


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