South Africa World Cup

Hit it and hope seemed to be the best tactic for long-range shots with the World Cup Jabulani ball, with both forwards and goalkeepers expressing concern at what they saw as its strange, unpredictable flight.

From the roar of the first vuvuzela on June 11 to the final whistle on Monday morning, the first World Cup in Africa was a resounding success on and off the pitch.

Paul the oracle octopus received a replica of the World Cup on Monday as a reward for his perfect eight-for-eight record in picking matches as punters around the world cashed out their winnings based on their selections.

Bomb explosions ripped through two bars packed with soccer fans watching the World Cup final in Uganda’s capital overnight, killing 64 people and pointing to a possible Somali Islamist link, police said Monday.

More than 100 million condoms made in China were exported to South Africa before the start of the World Cup, Beijing-based Legal Evening News reported.

Nelson Mandela attended the opening of Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands, thrilling fans and crowning South Africa’s pride in hosting a successful tournament.

A fan ran onto the field and tried to grab the World Cup trophy on Sunday, moments before players from Spain and the Netherlands left Soccer City for the final match of the tournament.

A woman passes a poster for football widows outside a beauty salon in London on July 7, 2010.

Eight percent of Russians believe their national team will win the World Cup, despite never qualifying for the tournament, an independent poll has shown.

Netherlands’ Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Máxima applaud before the start of the 2010 World Cup semi-final soccer match between Netherlands and Uruguay at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town on July 6, 2010.