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Spain is back in the World Cup finals since winning it all over the Netherlands in Johannesburg in 2010 in the first ever edition held on the African continent. In those 16 years, a lot has changed (ie the number of qualified teams) while some things have remained the same (Lionel Messi and Ronaldo are still playing).
For fans young and old, the Spanish team that brought home 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 artistic, intricate passing and a flair for creativity on the pitch. That title run even made the top 10 of our top 100 World Cup moments.
One of the things VM does best is pull on the strings of nostalgia. As we prepare for Sunday’s showdown between Messi (aged 22 in South Africa) and Lamine Yamal (almost three), let’s look back at the summer that was 2010.
‘Waka Waka’ and ‘Wavin’ Flag’ gave us iconic anthems
We were treated with not a but thaw songs that will forever be tied to the 2010 World Cup. Shakira was already a global superstar when she dropped “Waka Waka” in the lead-up to the tournament. With musical nods to the host nation and the rest of the continent, along with a memorable chorus and choreographed dance, time never really stops for Africa.
But not to be overshadowed were the inspiring beats and rhymes of K’naan, who delivered another earworm with ‘Wavin’ Flag.’ The song was often played after teams scored a goal in the tournament and encapsulated how the World Cup can often highlight cultures from around the globe coming together.
Paul The Octupus predicts it all
(Photo by Patrik STOLLARZ / AFP via Getty Images)
The octopus is considered one of the sea’s most intelligent creatures – as well as one of the tastiest. Therefore, during the knockout rounds of the 2010 World Cup, an octopus at a German aquarium named Paul became a worldwide sensation for picking eight matches correctly – including Spain’s victory in the final.
How did he do it? By hovering over two boxes placed in his habitat that were adorned with the matchup’s flag. Each one had a clam in it, and the one Paul wrapped his tentacle in to grab his snack was his choice.
As with many famous cuddly creatures, Paul caused such a stir that fans of losing teams begged him to be eaten. The Spanish government even offered Paul asylum, but he stayed in Germany, where he died of natural causes in October of that year.
Minions, vampires and Mr. Stark ruled the box office
(Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
You’re forgiven if you were just entertained that summer by some massive 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, both ‘Despicable Me’ and the anticipated sequel to Twilight (aka “Twilight: Eclipse”) ruled the US box office.
Other summer smashes included the third installment of the “Toy Story” franchise, “Iron Man 2,” and the genre-bending film “Inception,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. All of these movies live on in our hearts, or at least through countless memes and GIFs.
Katy Perry undeniably turned out like it’s dynamite
(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
The aforementioned World Cup songs weren’t the only tunes on the summer soundtrack. Katy Perry had us dreaming of the West Coast with ‘California Gurls’ – which was No.1 in the US on the day of the finale – while Taio Cruz had us throwing our hands in the air as we belted out the chorus of ‘Dynamite’.
Honestly, there are too many classics to name here from that summer to say which one was the best, so just pick something by Rihanna or Flo Rida.
Big Papi wins the MLB Home Run Derby
The day after La Roja won the World Cup, one of the star players for Las Medias Rojas (Spanish for Red Sox) was putting on a show at Angels Stadium in Anahiem. Boston slugger David Ortiz had an iconic night, hitting 32 homers at the Home Run Derby. He remains the only Red Sox player to win the contest, and he would win his third World Series ring three seasons later in 2013.
Top NFL pick Sam Bradford had The Rams Hope
(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
In the summer of 2010, the Rams were hoping Sam Bradford could bring his Heisman Trophy-winning ways to St. Louis after making the Oklahoma quarterback the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft earlier this year. The Rams finished 7–9 in a season in which the Pittsburgh Steelers claimed their sixth Super Bowl title in victory over the Green Packers in the 2010–11 postseason.
