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Spain has been back in the World Cup final since winning it all in 2010 against the Netherlands in Johannesburg in the first ever edition held on the African continent. Over those 16 years, a lot has changed (i.e. the number of qualified teams) while some things have stayed the same (Lionel Messi and Ronaldo are still playing).
For fans young and old, the Spain team that won its first World Cup between two European Championships (2008 and 2012) was a dynasty. La Roja defined a style of play – known as Tika Tika – that combined artistry, intricate passing and a sense of creativity on the pitch. This title race even made the top 10 of our 100 best World Cup moments.
One of the things the World Cup does best is pull on the strings of nostalgia. As we prepare for Sunday’s showdown between Messi (who was 22 in South Africa) and Lamine Yamal (almost three), let’s look back to the summer of 2010.
“Waka Waka” and “Wavin’ Flag” gave us iconic anthems
We were treated to not one but two songs that will forever be linked to the 2010 World Cup. Shakira was already a global superstar when she released “Waka Waka” in the run-up to the tournament. With musical nods to the host country and the rest of the continent, as well as a memorable chorus and choreographed dance, Africa’s time will never truly end.
But the inspiring beats and rhymes of K’naan, who delivered another earworm with “Wavin’ Flag,” should not be overshadowed. The song was often played after teams scored a goal in the tournament and encapsulated how the World Cup can often showcase the coming together of cultures from around the world.
Paul the octopus predicts everything
(Photo by Patrik STOLLARZ / AFP via Getty Images)
The octopus is considered one of the most intelligent and tastiest sea creatures. That’s why, during the round of 16 of the 2010 World Cup, an octopus named Paul in a German aquarium became a global sensation for correctly choosing eight games, including Spain’s victory in the final.
How did he do it? By flying over two boxes placed in its habitat and decorated with match flags. Each contained a mussel, and the one that Paul wrapped in his tentacle to snack on was his choice.
Like many famous stuffed creatures, Paul made so much noise that fans of losing teams called for him to be eaten. The Spanish government even offered Paul asylum, but he remained in Germany, where he died of natural causes in October of that year.
Minions, Vampires and Mr. Stark dominated the box office
(Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
You’re forgiven if you also entertained that summer with blockbuster movies that introduced us to the Minions and made us choose between Team Edward and Team Jacob. On the day of the June 11 finale, “Despicable Me” and the anticipated Twilight sequel (aka “Twilight: Eclipse”) dominated the box office in the United States.
Other summer hits include the third installment of the “Toy Story” franchise, “Iron Man 2,” and the groundbreaking film “Inception” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. All of these films live on in our hearts, or at least through countless memes and GIFs.
Katy Perry proved undeniable like it was dynamite
(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
The aforementioned World Cup songs weren’t the only ones featured on the summer’s soundtrack. Katy Perry made us dream of the West Coast with “California Gurls” – which was number 1 in the USA on the day of the final – while Taio Cruz made us raise our hands in the air as he sang the chorus of “Dynamite”.
Honestly, there are too many summer classics to list here to say which one was the best, so take your pick from Rihanna or Flo Rida.
Big Papi wins MLB home run derby
The day after La Roja won the World Cup, one of the star players of Las Medias Rojas (the Red Sox in Spanish) gave a show at the Angels Stadium in Anahiem. Boston slugger David Ortiz had an iconic night in which he hit 32 home runs in the Home Run Derby. He remains the only Red Sox player to win the competition, and he would win his third World Series ring three seasons later, in 2013.
Top NFL pick Sam Bradford gave Rams hope
(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
The summer of 2010 saw the Rams hoping that Sam Bradford could bring his Heisman Trophy victory to St. Louis after making the Oklahoma quarterback the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft earlier in the year. The Rams finished 7-9 in a season that saw the Pittsburgh Steelers win their sixth Super Bowl title by defeating the Green Packers in the 2010-11 playoffs.
