And so the greatest sporting event in the world comes to an end for another four years before we head to Brazil in 2014. Overdue congratulations to Spain and unfortunate commiserations to the Dutch. But what have we got from this tournament? It’s time for the Injury Time World Cup Awards!

Golden... Forlan was impressive in South Africa.

Player of the Tournament

Diego Forlan (Uruguay)

He won the golden ball, and rightly so. The target man finished equal top-scorer and also chipped in with three assists. He was the main man for Uruguay and had his last-minute free kick been a little lower against the Germans, he would have walked away with the Golden Boot too.

Goal of the Tournament

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (Netherlands)

His rocket strike against Forlan’s Uruguay set the tone for the Dutch’s qualification for the final. Now retired after an illustrious career, whilst he’ll be disappointed, he’ll be thrilled with the final goal of his career.

Find of the Tournament

Stunner... Van Bronckhorst's final career goal was legendary.

Thomas Mueller (Germany)

His name was not known to many worldwide pre-World Cup but now people are sitting up to take notice. He was instrumental in Germany’s campaign and his knack to be in the right place at the right time and finishing ability is amazing under the age of 21.

Coach of the Tournament

Joachim Loew (Germany)

He’s still not assured of his job after the World Cup as amazing as it is. He took a team that not many fancied pre-Cup and turned them into the ‘new Netherlands’ of European football, playing the most expansive game of counter-attacking football.

Best Match of the Tournament

Germany 3 def. Uruguay 2 (3^rd Place Play-Off)

Some say this game isn’t required, but time and time again, it proves to be one of the most free-flowing games of the World Cup. It was no different this time as the two teams played out a highly entertaining game which saw some great football all round and plenty of goals. This fixture averages more than four goals over all the World Cup’s it has featured in.

Surprise Pack of the Tournament

Smelllltzz! Shane scored THAT goal against Italy.

New Zealand

Imagine if someone came to you in May this year and told you that New Zealand would be the only undefeated team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Well that’s exactly what happened and not only that, but they finished above previous champions, Italy. Courageous team spirit and tactical awareness perhaps saw them unlucky to not make the round of 16. Oh, and how’s this for a stat; Shane Smeltz of NZ who plays in Australia’s A-League (soon to be playing in China) scored more goals in this World Cup than Wayne Rooney + Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi put together! Ridiculous! Sign him up Madrid!

Better Luck Next Time Award

Wayne Rooney (England) + Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Shocker... Rooney had a terrible time of it.

We just couldn’t separate the two. Rooney was arguably worse – never showing up in any of England’s games. I’ve even diverted to starting Defoe/Crouch and Agbonglahor on my PS3. Too add insult, Rooney was later named the ugliest footballer in the world! Ronaldo meanwhile, again went missing on the biggest stage and he’ll probably only have one more chance at best to add the one medal missing from his cabinet.

How Did He Miss That? Award

Yakubu Ayegbeni (Nigeria)

It was beyond unbelievable. In a tense game with South Korea, where a win would send them through, Nigeria trailed the Asians, 2-1. Then, out of nothing  a squared ball found Yakubu free as a bird directly in front of an open goal with keeper beaten. The Everton striker though somehow pushed his shot wide with the goal gaping. And he is paid hundreds of thousands of dollars per week…

Now that we have eight teams remaining as we head into the quarter-finals stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, we’re asking who you think will ultimately lift up the prize. With no massive shocks (in terms of results) during the round of 16, we have some tantalizing clashes coming up.

Will Brazil take their tally to 6 and add another continent to their impressive resume? Will Uruguay surprise everyone with a famous championship? Can Spain deliver on all their potential? You tell us as we look out for the people’s favourite for the World Cup.

As much as I would like to sit here and say that the decision in the first half cost us the game, we never really deserved it. Poor in the group stages and only good for about 15 minutes of the Round of 16 clash, Germany were far superior.

However, it could, and should, have been 2-2 at least as the teams went in for the break. But somehow, unbelievably, all three referees missed what was a clear Frank Lampard goal.

The card-happy referees have had a terrible time of it this World Cup and in my opinion, have wrecked games. This blight will only dampen their resumes.

Now, the entire up roar has begun about video technology and what not and surely it will go on for some time.

Although, whilst I feel sunk at what could have been, I am not in favour of having video technology and all this tennis like ‘challenge’ system.

This is mainly because it would ruin the ‘flow of the game’ as most have said. Not only this, but with line-ball situations that are debatable and very close, we might face massive delays as the referees and subsequent video referees try to come up with the right decision.

I would much rather prefer goal line referees. FIFA trialled them in the Europa leagues and there were problems, some of these referees missing the exact things they were put there for.

However, at least such clear cut decisions like the Lampard example wouldn’t go unnoticed and especially in such big competitions.

Talk has materialized over having a ‘goal-line sensor’ that would apparently alert the referee if the ball had crossed the line.

Seems like a bit of a joke to me really, why go through all the trouble of kitting out hundreds to thousands of goalposts with this sensor when FIFA can easily employ two more referees per game?

The decision seems simple to me.

Undoubtedly though is the question; is it worth the trouble? Well trialling it in domestic competitions is the obvious answer and it looks like a suitable option.

FIFA might think about employing the two-referee system over a few domestic leagues around the world and review the results at season’s end, rather than judging the method after one running in a European competition.

Get feedback from everyone, the players, the managers, the fans, about what they thought of the added referee’s and most importantly, if they actually made the game better. After all, if these extra referees only further complicate decision making in the game, there is no point.

Oh, and please get rid of those damn Jabulani’s FIFA!

At the double... Vittek grabbed a brace in Slovakia's 3-2 win over Italy.

Some are touting it as the greatest choke in World Cup history and no doubt the Azzurri will be facing questions upon questions on their return to Italy.

The impressive Robert Vittek opened the scoring after 25 minutes as Slovakia went into half time. Amazingly Vittek doubled his goal tally to send the Italian fans at Johannesburg into shock, if they weren’t already.

But, when Di Natale got a goal back with nine minutes remaining, Italy started to regain self belief.

However, after constant pressure, the Italians were caught out from a throw in which allowed Kopunek to sneak in behind the defence and score with his first touch after coming of the bench. It sparked raptures on the bench as Slovakia looked to have sealed the game.

However, the Azzurri were not willing to die just yet. When Quagliarella picked up the ball just outside the area, he produced a sublime chip to bring it back to 3-2 with only minutes remaining.

Slovakia gave the Italians a dose of their own medicine, constantly play-acting in stoppage time and it was clearly angering the Italians.

Then with last opportunity for Italy a long throw  into the box was met by an unmarked Pepe at the far post who screwed his shot wide, a chance where he really should have scored.

One assumes that will be it for Marcello Lippi, forever. Many of the Italians would have played their last World Cup game and one might argue that the like of Cannavaro and Pirlo deserved a much better note to go out on.

But the Slovak’s will not be complaining they qualify for the Round of 16 with Paraguay when they really looked like they would finish last before this game. They now have a probable meeting with the Dutch, but after some of the results in what is being dubbed as the ‘World Cup of Upsets’, you never know what could happen.

–

Play Every Minute!

Group A

Uruguay (4 pts, +3)

Fall of le Frogs… France are stuttering.

Starting to ease into the competition after destroying South Africa, the South Americans are looking good. Diego Forlan has found his club form, but their game against the Mexicans will really convey their pedigree to go far.

Mexico (4 pts, +2)

Have showed the attacking flair that has underlined their ability at the highest stage. They could count themselves unlucky not to have gotten 6/6 points, but their dismantling of France proves that they are here to stay.

France (1 pt, -2)

Playing like a team who don’t deserve to be there. With the players on offer it is hard to believe that France could exit this Cup in the first round and even potentially without having scored a single goal. If they do exit, controversy will shroud the national team.

South Africa (1 pt, -3)

Currently on the brink of an early exit from the Cup after only managing a point from their opening two games. If they are eliminated, they will become the first host nation not to qualify from the group stages. It seemed like they were up for it in the opener against Mexico, but against Uruguay they were average the best.

Group B

Argentina (6 pts, +4)

Goals.. Higuain scored the easiest hat-trick the World Cup has ever seen.

Have shortened to favourites to win the Cup, and fair enough. They’ve had two electrifying displays and easily could have put more than one past Nigeria as they did with Korea. Messi is in form and if they can rid themselves of little lapses at the back they will go close to winning it all.

South Korea (3 pts, -1)

Impressive against Greece but dismantled by Argentina, South Korea still have a good chance of going through. They’ve found goals and have a decent passing game. Park Ji-Sung has been instrumental as has Park Chu-Young.

Greece (3 pts, -1)

In their first 130 minutes of group stage games Greece looked as bad as the French. But they rallied against Nigeria, and with some luck got the three points. If they can manage to get something against Argentina they will deserve to go through.

Nigeria (0 pts, -2)

Have really capitulated on themselves. A real star has been goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, who put in a world class showing against Argentina and nearly saved them against Greece. Nigeria are still mathematically not out of it, but will need a good win against South Korea and hope that Argentina put a few past Greece.

Group C

Slovenia (4 pts, +1)

Surprise packets of the tournament so far, the smallest country at the Cup have really turned up. A scrappy win against Algeria followed by a draw they would have taken any day against the USA leaves them needing only a point from England to ensure qualification.

USA (2 pts, 0)

Issues... Wayne's world is crumbling in South Africa.

Fought back admirably against the Slovenians and arguably should have taken all three points. Facing arguably the weakest team in Algeria in the last games, they will fancy themselves a very good chance of making the next round.

England (2 pts, 0)

One of the biggest disappointments of the tournament so far and looked horrible against an Algerian team, who had previously never kept a clean sheet in a Cup game. They have left themselves with the task of having to beat a very confident Slovenian team to qualify.

Algeria (1 pt, -1)

They will be chuffed that they still have a realistic chance of going through with one group game remaining. A win against the USA will see them qualify for the knockout stages. Easier said than done though as offence has been lacking so far.

Group D

Germany (3 pts, +3)

Hero to Zero... Podoloski missed a glut of chances against Serbia (not to mention that penalty!)

Had a perfect performance against Australia, but we’re uncharacteristically poor against Serbia. Miroslav Klose’s dismissal didn’t help neither did Podolski’s continual miss of guilt edge chances. Facing a potentially undefeated Ghana in the final group game, Germany have a tough ask ahead of them.

Ghana (3 pts, +1)

Played well against a Serbian team with 10 men, but we’re perhaps lucky to come away with all three points. Facing an undoubtedly hurting Australian team tonight, the Africans can ensure qualification with a win.

Serbia (3 pts, 0)

Shocked the world with a 1-0 win over Germany which has breathed new life into their campaign to qualify for the knockout stages. Still struggled a little against 10 men and easily could have drawn, but now have set up nicely for a tense final game.

Australia (0 pts, -4)

Were nothing less than shocking against the Germans, the Aussies will need to bounce back against Ghana. They have a good record over them recently and will need nothing less than a convincing win as in what has shaped up as a tight group that goal difference could be so very important to their chances of getting to the next round.

Group E

Netherlands (3 pts, +2)

Were not at their attacking best against Denmark but were still able to come away with tree important points. They face Japan tonight and can secure qualification with a win, history is on their side too; they’ve never lost to an Asian team at the World Cup.

Japan (3 pts, +1)

Honda (no.18) was impressive against Cameroon.

The Japanese started their campaign with an impressive win over Cameroon, Honda is looking like a great player in the making too. Their defence was strong against Cameroon and will need to be again when they take on Netherlands.

Cameroon (0 pts, -1)

Didn’t play too bad against Japan, they just failed to take their chances. They face a do-or-die clash with Denmark and anything but a win will be acceptable. For the talent they have, they have the potential to go far so look for a good showing from them.

Denmark (0 pts, -2)

Outplayed against the Netherlands, Denmark is starting to look like one of those teams that just isn’t working in South Africa. No one really stood out against the Dutch and they looked tired throughout the match.