Ghana to push Spain all the way, but ultimately just miss out. Germany to beat Brazil, but not by 7-1.

A Spain-Germany final.
 
Ghana defeat Spain
Continue the fairytale.

Germany defeat Brazil
Not 7-1. But this was a very good German side.

Germany defeat Ghana but not easily. Spain get 3rd.
 
2010 FIFA World Cup Semi-Finals
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP
Part 4

As the final four were revealed, many conservative minded football fans all suspected either Germany, Spain or Brazil would be the winners in the end but there was no doubt that in terms of the neutral and across Africa of who everyone wanted to see go all the way...Ghana. For the first time since Nigeria's run in the World Cup in Argentina in 1994, [1] an African side was to play in the Semis and there was good reason to think that Ghana would be the African team that would finally put Africa's foot in a World Cup final.

That said Ghana's task was far from easy as standing in their way at Wembley was Spain who were hoping to make their second ever World Cup final [2] and given the talent they had in that team they must of felt that they had this game all but wrapped up. What followed would be one of the most dramatic football games ever at a World Cup. As what most thought, Spain took the lead thanks to Puyol in the 29th minute yet despite all that dominance they failed to add to their lead and this only helped Ghana gain confidence when Muntari equalised for Ghana and the game would go into extra time.

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The Ghana team celebrate the goal that puts them back on level terms with Spain, note both teams were playing in their away kits during this match
In extra-time, Spain would make the mistake of underestimating the Africans as Ghana came to life and put Spain under pressure and this would pay off in the 104th minute when Ghana won a penalty and Gyan scored [3] to put Ghana 2-1 up in the game and a whole continent must've gone crazy as if they kept this up that they were so close from the final. But the European side would fight back and Puyol would come to the rescue in the 109th minute, ruining Ghana's moment of happiness, scoring from a corner kick and that put Spain back in the game.

Ghana's frustration boiled over and Spain took the advantage of using many slack defending from the Africans in which the winning goal would come from Iniesta would score with five minutes to go and break African hearts everywhere and dump Ghana out of the World Cup [4]. As heart breaking as it was, Ghana had gone further than everyone and thought they would and Spain knew that while they were delighted to have reached the final they knew that deep down they had been lucky to avoid embarrassment and had to do better for the final. Would there ever be an African side in the final...?

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Scenes of utter joy as Spanish players celebrate getting the winning goal near the end of extra time

---------

After the drama of that Semi-Final, many thought that things could only get better as the second Semi would be contested between Brazil and defending champions Germany. A true mouth watering clash by all concern though would it have all the drama that the last one would have? The first half would be a rather uneventful affair and something best forgotten about though things would pick quite soon in the second half when Brazil broke the deadlock in the 48th minute and hoped that they would be on course for the final, but their lead wouldn't last long as the Germans scored just over ten minutes later to make the score level.

The second half became a tense affair with neither side finding the winning goal and so the game would move into extra-time and this would be were things would become dramatic. It would be the 109th minute in which the Germans found their second goal and looked like much the better team and never gave the Brazilians a chance to break through and it was looking all but certain that Brazil were going out...

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Brazil vs Germany in Manchester
It was then right in the dying seconds of injury time that Brazil won a free kick in which it was floated into the box before Robinho hammered it home with it perhaps being the final action of the game and all of Brazil erupted in joy that they were not out of this just yet. With that, the game would be decided on spot kicks but as with one of the golden rules of football...never challenge the Germans on penalties [5]. To the surprise of perhaps no one, Germany would win the shoot out 4-2 and they were back in a final to defend their crown while the Brazilians would feel only sadness of one incredible high to suffer a harsh low.

With that though and after all those games, it would be once again another all European affair with Germany taking on Spain in what was a rematch of their Euro 2008 encounter [6] and who knows how things would go here? For many after this World Cup, many would say that the last four of the 2010 would be said to be one of the greatest Semi-Finals ever for the goals and drama involved and how would the final match up to all this...?

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Final results of 2010 World Cup Semi-Finals
--------
  • [1] ITTL at least.
  • [2] Ditto.
  • [3] He does score here unlike OTL...
  • [4] They go out but do better than OTL.
  • [5] As you do! ;)
  • [6] As OTL.
And there we are, it will be a Spain vs Germany final! Not much to say other than next update will be the third place and final game. As some of you who follow me will know that I'll be making a redux/reboot of All To Play For which I'm not sure if it'll be up either by the time TTL is completed of before then, either way look out for that when the times comes.

Anyway, next update will reveal who will host the 2018 and 2022 WC's here...stay tune for that!


 
Spain to win the final, given that the two line-ups would be pretty similar to those in the Euro 2008 final IOTL.

And, why not, Ghana to stun Brazil and claim a first ever podium finish for Africa!
 
Germany 8-2 Spain, because it seems like everyone else would 8-2 see that. :p

-------------------
Germany 2-1 Spain
Ghana 1-0 Brazil
 
2010 FIFA World Cup Third Round and Final
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP
Part 5

The day before the final would be the ever typical third-place game in Liverpool between giants Brazil and plucky Ghana, the latter having gone down as the underdog team that everyone wanted to go all the way but alas they fell short against Spain. While many had hoped that Ghana would sign off with one last hurrah with a third-place victory over Brazil, hopefully becoming the first African team to do so.

Sadly, reality hit the African team like a ton of bricks as Brazil would end up winning in a rather one sided game from the moment Robinho scored in the third minute then it would become clear that there was only going to be one winner. For most of the game, Ghana could never get a shot on target and it seemed that not only was the after effects of that dramatic extra-time game with Spain had taken it's toll plus how heartbroken that game had left them of how close they had come.

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A Bewildered Ghana during their match with Brazil

In the end, a Robinho hat trick would ultimately see Brazil claim the third place spot and Ghana's epic adventure ended on something of a whimper but nonetheless on the team's return to Ghana, the nation came out to welcome their heroes with open arms and it seemed that the rest of Africa were behind them as well. For now though, they would now concentrate on efforts on qualifying for the World Cup in Australia...
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Final result of the Third-Place Game at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
----------
For some, the line up for the final was one that many had hoped for; Spain vs Germany. The European champions taking on the World Champions in a rematch of their last final in 2008 [1]. It would a tight game in which one wrong move could decide the game and the Germans felt the weight of history on their shoulders if they were to successfully defend the cup though the Spanish felt that after their victory at Euro 2008 that they were worthy to get their hands on that trophy.

The first half would be goalless and even during the later period of the second half the score remained deadlock with thoughts turning of extra-time or even penalties. That said it was clear the extra-time both had played in their respected Semi-Finals had played a part in making both sides look weak, though it would be down to Puyol who found the back of the net for Spain to finally break the deadlock in the 73rd minute and surely no way back for the Germans [2].

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Spain celebrate taking the lead in the final over Germany
Germany tried all they could to get back in the game but alas the moment the final whistle blew, Germany's title defence was over and Spain were the new winners of the World Cup with a 1-0 victory [3]. It might have not been a classic game by some and given how amazing the Semi-Finals had been, this final might have felt like a bit of an anti-climax but try and tell that to the jubilant Spanish team as they lifted the trophy at the Royal Box at Wembley stadium.

Over all, England 2010 had been quite the eventual tournament and from the motherland of football, the World Cup would soon head to a brave new world of Australia in 2014, a nation that over the many decades since their very first appearance in 1966 [4] had embraced the FIFA World Cup to make the game rival the country's love for rugby and cricket. One thing was sure, the Aussies were going to put on a show for sure...

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Spain, 2010 FIFA World Cup winners

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Final result of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final

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Final results of the Knockout Stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup

---------

  • [1] As with OTL.
  • [2] The final is pretty much the same as OTL 2010 Semi Final.
  • [3] Spain are winners like OTL, as you would get.
  • [4] As with OTL.
And so here we are, the end of the 2010 World Cup and I think it was results that you mostly would expect. Anyway as always before, here are the teams ready to play for the 2014 World Cup in Australia:

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Qualified teams for the 2014 World Cup

Who will win out of that selection? Next update will be a Euro update on the past winners up to 2012 and as promised, here are the winners for the host nations for 2018 and 2022...
Russia
Morocco

Until then, catch you all later!
 
Booooo.

I cannot like this update for reasons I am sure you can understand, but it was great as always. I have to strongly agree with the fans that this final is very bland after those semis, but isn't that how it always goes? Some roaring semi-finals and then a boring as hell final by comparison?

It goes without saying that I'm cheering for a Germany 2014.
 
UEFA European Championship list of winners 1992 - 2012

UEFA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
1992 - 2012

Alright then, here is the long awaited updates on the European champions from 1992 up to 2012. A few different winners, a few different host nations and some nations which didn't quite, well, split...anyway here we are...

Euro Finals 2.png

Just a small update but hopefully your team did well and our next update will see us head Down Under...until then see you soon!
 

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Is it considered an ASB for the USA to be world class in football/soccer even ITTL?
Not really, since ITTL the USA hosted the WC much eailer in 1986 then much improvements for the game Stateside happen much eailer than OTL.

They would pretty much be aiming for a last four finish which will be the aim for TTL 2014 WC.
 
2014 FIFA World Cup Seeding and Group Stage
2014 FIFA WORLD CUP
Part 1

For the first time in the history of the World Cup, the tournament was to be hosted Down Under and with the fact that Australia had experience in hosting a Rugby World Cup just over a decade ago, Australia was wanting to show the world that it could put on a excellent performance hosting the FIFA World Cup. With the World Cup being hosted far away from the Americas or Europe, it would see games broadcast in the evening which often saw many over in Europe watch the games in the morning much like what happened when the tournament was hosted in Japan [1].

Despite this situation, many were happy to travel out to a new corner of the World that was wanting to show the world what football meant to it ever since Australia first went to a World Cup in 1966 [2] and a lot had happened to the sport Down Under in the near fifty years since then which has seen the sport increase it's appeal to rival that of either cricket or rugby. Now here was the moment for the nation to show the world what football meant for them.

2014 2.png

Seeding and teams for the 2014 World Cup
One of the interesting bits of history made was that Australia had, as benefits of being the host nation, was that they would be a seeded team for the first time and with Ghana also having to be there thanks to a heroic run to the last four of the last World Cup [3], it was the first time that four continents would be represented among the seeded teams which in FIFA's hopes of having a true World Cup showed that things were all on the up.

---------
Australia as the host nation would open the tournament against a backdrop of a huge Melbourne crowd with a 2-1 victory over Yugoslavia, though it must be said that Australia's second goal came from a late penalty and it was a game that came close for the hosts to start off on the wrong foot with a draw. This though would come back to haunt the hosts as they drew with the Swiss in their second game with a victory over Cameroon needed to make things absolutely sure to go through. Thanks to a nip and tuck victory over the Africans, Australia won the group though their performances hadn't set the world alight.

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Australian players huddle before their opening match


Joining the hosts would be Switzerland who had merited much praise for being an unlikely team to be a possible one to look out for while Yugoslavia just missed out on going through, that said there were many felt that they were cheated of a winning goal in their final group game with Switzerland which was marked offside though replays showed that it was just onside and many felt that they were cheated out in favour of the Swiss [4]. It wouldn't be only incident for sure...

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Final results of Group A

---------
Group B was quite a unique one as it featured three of the largest countries in the world, Brazil, USA and Russia all competing with little New Zealand being the odd one out and sadly their Australian adventure would be cut short by only getting a draw with Russia for their troubles. Brazil were expecting to win the group and with a easy 3-0 victory over Russia, things would take a shocking turn in which in a match with the Americans, Brazil underestimated them as thanks a penalty for the USA shortly before the break, they defended for most of the second half to record a huge victory over Brazil and many would call it 'the third miracle on grass', the first being the United States beating England in 1950 and the later being that famous game against the Soviet Union in 1990 [5].

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American players celebrate in their victory over Brazil

While Brazil's performance raised a few eyebrows, the group saw the United States and Russia playing each other in a group for the first time since 1990 (on that occasion the latter was the Soviet Union). The two would play each other in their final group game and following the controversial annexation of Crimea some months prior [6] there was a lot of tension at that point in Russo - American relations. What happened would be one of the greatest World Cup games ever in which the United States won in a 4-3 thriller in which the Russians went 2-0 up at first, only for them to blow that fall 3-2 down but not before getting another goal but ultimately lost to a late goal to give the United States a victory over the Russians. After the madness of the aftermath of the Brazil victory, this one with all the tension going into it felt all that more sweeter. Who knows what the Americans could do now?

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Final results of Group B

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Group C would be tough group to decide on as all the teams had the ability to think who could go through, though many felt that the World Champions Spain would be going through. How very wrong everyone was to be. Spain would get off to a shocker losing 5-1 to the Dutch [7] and from then things went from bad to worse as another defeat followed at the hands of Chile which pretty much, despite a victory in their final game with South Korea, the World Champions had fallen at the first round [8].

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Chile celebrates their victory over Spain

Perhaps the most surprising was of the Netherlands' impressive performance in the group and some felt that with this team could do something special and with this being on the 40th anniversary of the Netherlands' only World Cup victory [8], who was to say that this might be their year?

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Final results of Group C

----------
For many, Group D was fairly easy to decide upon in which Belgium would win the group which was what happened as never lost a single game. With that the question was who would finish in second place which is a bit more harder to call by, in the end it would be Greece who would sneak through thanks to a nervy victory over Ecuador in their final group game. For Japan, a sense of frustration followed in which had they managed to get a victory over the Greeks in their second game then they would have gone through.

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Belgian players celebrate winning the group after victory over Japan
All in all it was a fairly weak group which was one that not many gave much thought about it though many were left impressed by Belgium and with the hype around them going into the tournament, some felt that they might of had something to say in this World Cup and who knows what might happen the further they could go in this World Cup?

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Final results of Group D

----------
In what was madcap group of death between Columbia, Italy, Nigeria and Iran, the stand out team from the group would be Columbia who's great style of football would win them many admirers who would go one to not only win all their games but win the group by a mile and looked to be a dark horse for the World Cup. Joining them in the next round would be Italy [9] though not until after tense victory over Nigeria in a game in which was a winner-takes-all decider.

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Columbian players celebrate with a winning goal over Italy
While the less said the better for Iran, Nigeria felt frustrated that had they managed to get a draw with Italy in their final group game then they would have made it into the knockout stages. That said, when Italy would be drawn in the next round, Nigeria might have felt that they might have dodged a bullet...

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Final results of Group E

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Group F was to be the star studded group as it would feature Argentina and Portugal and by that logic, Messi vs Ronaldo. Both teams would face each other in the opening match and both players would end up scoring though it would all lead to a victory for Argentina. For the South American giants, Argentina would go on to win the group and look the part in their hopes to win the World Cup.

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Messi meets Ronaldo in their opening group match

Portugal would also join Argentina in the next round [10] though not the skin of their own teeth as they finished on level points and matching goals for with Ivory Coast, however the Africans had the bad luck of having one goal against them which proved to be fatal as it saw them make an early exit from the World Cup. Once again, another hard luck story for an African team.

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Final results of Group F

---------
Group G would end up seeing the exciting draw which had England and Scotland in the group, though there was the addition of Ghana and Costa Rica which the latter would stun England when they held them to a 0-0 draw [11] and caused much embarrassment back home. There was also the shock that Scotland managed to beat Ghana and this was to be the beginning of a disastrous World Cup campaign with them losing all their games to England and Costa Rica and finishing rock bottom without a single point. A far cry from their heroic run last time.

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England after scoring the winning goal over Scotland
The two Home Nations would both end up going through to the next round and Scotland felt they had a chance to get the better of the English having won their last two games though it must be said they nearly suffered a loss to Costa Rica in which they were 2-1 down before rescuing it with two penalties. Ultimately it would be England that would win the group with a 3-1 victory over the Scots. How far would either go?

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Final results of Group G

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The final group would be said by many as the group of death and for good reason as it featured Germany, France, Mexico and Algeria. It would be a hard game to decide upon but what was certain was Germany winning the group though not without a surprise result draw with Algeria [12]. Funnily enough despite not getting a single victory, Algeria would draw all their games and sneak through into the next round though this was thanks to both France and Mexico suffering defeats both to Germany.

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France vs Germany in the group stage

France much like in 2010 would suffer another embarrassing early exit with the blame being that France had the terrible luck of being stuck in a tough group and Mexico would bemoan the same fate and wondered if Algeria deserved to go through despite not winning a single game. Algeria would have pressure on them as now they were the sole African team left to play in the knockout stage. No pressure indeed...

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Final results of Group H
With that, the group stage was compete and the knockout stage would bring up a few head turning ties. Who was going to go all the way Down Under...?

----------
  • [1] As with OTL and TTL.
  • [2] In TTL at least.
  • [3] Ditto.
  • [4] Can't have a World Cup without controversy!
  • [5] Remember that ITTL?
  • [6] Real world events still happen as OTL.
  • [7] As per OTL.
  • [8] As with TTL.
  • [9] Who IOTL failed to get out of the group.
  • [10] Portugal IOTL failed in the group stage.
  • [11] As with OTL.
  • [12] Same result as Last 16 game though no extra time here.
So there we are, the long awaited update for this TL! What has been your favourite group of these so far and what results made you raise a few eyebrows? Anyway as always, the last 16 fixtures:
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Australia vs Brazil

Netherlands vs Greece

Columbia vs Portugal

England vs Algeria

United States vs Switzerland

Belgium vs Chile

Argentina vs Italy

Germany vs Scotland
----------
So as always, who will go all the way here? Until then, stay safe and catch you all later!
 
Australia vs Brazil

Netherlands
vs Greece

Columbia vs Portugal

England
vs Algeria

United States vs Switzerland

Belgium
vs Chile

Argentina vs Italy

Germany vs Scotland
 
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