World Cup 2010: Guardian writers give their verdicts

Kevin McCarra Match of the tournament Argentina 0-4 Germany – Diego Maradona's renowned players were yesterday's men against young and well-coached opponents such as Thomas Müller, who opened the scoring. Player of the tournament Diego Forlán (Uruguay) – His goals and verve were critical in taking a small country to the semi-finals. Goal of the tournament Giovanni van Bronckhorst's perfect strike that put Holland ahead in the semi-final against Uruguay. Biggest disappointment The final was not quite as great a let-down as Fabio Capello. He employed stale tactics, did not get the best out of his players and then tried to blame it all on a tiring club season. Personal highlight The teasing between the New Zealand manager, Ricki Herbert, and his captain, Ryan Nelsen, on the eve of their first match. All other press conferences seemed po-faced. That spirit explains why the side were unbeaten and finished above the defending champions, Italy. Lesson for 2014 A World Cup is tarnished when luddites reject the simple technology that would confirm a shot has crossed the line. Vuvuzelas? "If we can't hear [the manager] it's a blessing," Nelsen said. Richard Williams Match of the tournament Germany 3-2 Uruguay – A game full of dash and drama, it deserved better than its third-place play-off slot, and the image of Diego Forlán's expression as he hit the bar with the last kick will last longer than any memory of the final. Player of the tournament None – A tournament devoted to and won by collective effort failed to throw up an outstanding individual. Goal of the tournament Siphiwe Tshabalala's tournament opener for South Africa against Mexico: a wonderful pass from Kagisho Dikgacoi and a joyous finish. Biggest disappointment The final, a 70s revival show in the very worst sense. Personal highlights The kids of Jabulani Arsenal practising on their own scruffy patch of Soweto, and Argentina's training sessions. Lesson for 2014 By all means take Adidas's money, but don't allow them to control the design of the World Cup ball. It's too important for that. Vuvuzelas? An essential part of the 2010 experience, not to be repeated outside South Africa. Dominic Fifield Match of the tournament England 1-4 Germany – From the Germans' wonderful breakaway goals to the disbelief at Frank Lampard's equaliser going ignored, this game supplied drama aplenty. Defeat may have been painful, but even England's players had to concede that the better side ran riot in the second period. Player of the tournament Diego Forlán (Uruguay) – Oozed class throughout as both goalscorer and provider, and was instrumental in propelling the South Americans to the last four for the first time in 40 years. His goal in the third-place play-off, and the last-minute free-kick which battered the bar, summed up his tournament. Goal of the tournament Giovanni van Bronckhorst's opener against Uruguay was stunning but, as a showcase of Bastian Schweinsteiger's talents, Germany's third against Argentina was a favourite. Arne Friedrich tapped it in, but the midfielder's burst away from three opponents took the breath. Biggest disappointment England aside, the form of the more fancied African teams and, most of all, the manner in which Ghana bowed out of the tournament. Luis Suárez's celebrations on the touchline after denying Dominic Adiyiah's header on the goalline and then seeing Asamoah Gyan miss from the penalty spot were shameful. Personal highlight Watching the South African players joyfully singing and dancing their way into Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. That neatly summed up the colour and exuberance granted this tournament by the hosts, even after Bafana Bafana had failed to progress from the group, and capped by a beaming Nelson Mandela appearing on the pitch just prior to the final. Lesson for 2014 Never, ever, under any circumstances, dare even to contemplate that England might actually provide a prolonged challenge for the trophy. The sense of anticlimax at their underwhelming performances was depressing. Vuvuzelas? There's one in my luggage, so good at the moment. The drone in B flat will follow me home so, in a few months' time once my one-year-old has mastered it, my attitude may have changed. Daniel Taylor Match of the tournament Germany 4-1 England – Unpatriotic? Probably, but this will be the match we come to remember – the 'golden generation' shown up to be made of iron pyrite. Player of the tournament Xavi – Made more passes, ran more yards, created more chances than anyone. With honorary mentions for Thomas Müller and David Villa. Goal of the tournament Maybe Italy would have lasted longer if Fabio Quagliarella had more time on the pitch. His chipped goal against Slovakia, as a second-half substitute, was sublime in a tournament notable for so much poor long-range shooting. Biggest disappointment The football. So few memorable matches, so many wayward shots, so many poor performances from so many category-A footballers, Ronaldo, Torres, Rooney, etc. Personal highlight After all the security meetings, the warnings to be on guard at every second and always be vigilant at cash machines, leaving my credit card in an ATM on day two. Probably a lowlight, in fairness. Lesson for 2014 Don't ask Jamie Carragher to come out of retirement. Vuvuzelas? Killed the art of singing. Parping purgatory. Paul Wilson Match of the tournament Slovakia 3-2 Italy – Some really good goals and a breathtaking last 10 minutes. Player of the tournament Diego Forlán – He impressed me most in the matches I saw – I didn't see as much of Schweinsteiger or Sneijder. Goal of the tournament The very first one – Siphiwe Tshabalala for South Africa v Mexico. By a narrow margin over Quagliarella's effort for Italy against Slovakia. Biggest disappointment England, who else? We needed lions, but we got homesick tourists instead. Personal highlight A group of South Africa supporters singing traditional songs, beautifully, in a hotel car park before resuming their day jobs as maids, drivers and restaurant staff. Lesson for 2014 Cut out the unnecessary travelling – keep the group stages in defined geographical areas. Vuvuzelas? Bloody awful, although I still brought a couple home. Owen Gibson Match of the tournament Germany's humbling of England was impressive, but the manner in which they stopped Maradona's bandwagon dead in its tracks was more impressive still. Player of the tournament Could have been any one Spanish trio of Andrés Iniesta, David Villa and Xavi. But where so many others underachieved, Diego Forlán stood out for his goals and for the manner in which he inspired his team to the semis. Goal of the tournament A spectacular individual effort in Giovanni van Bronckhorst's thunderbolt against Uruguay just eclipses a sumptuous team goal in Miroslav Klose's against Argentina. Biggest disappointment England aside, the stifling tactics and failure of many the biggest names to perform. Personal highlight Being part of a delirious throng in Soweto's Thokoza Park when Siphiwe Tshabalala's goal went in. Lesson for 2014 Overhaul ticketing process to ensure full stadiums, base teams in a single location for group stages. Vuvuzelas? Good, except when blown at 5am. Given the number being brandished at airport, I suspect we haven't heard the last of them. Sean Ingle Match of the tournament Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (4-2 after pens) – It wasn't always of the highest quality, but then few games were in this tournament. What it had was an electric atmosphere, a ding-dong uncertainty throughout, and a thrilling denouement. Player of the tournament David Villa (Spain) – This World Cup was largely about teams not individuals, but Villa's impish effervescence and goals lifted Spain when they were punch- drunk on the ropes. Goal of the tournament Can you give it to a penalty? Ah, what the heck. I was off my feet when Sebastián Abreu coolly floated in the winning Panenka to beat Ghana. Biggest disappointment The overcautious football and the lack of innovation. Only Marcelo Bielsa's 3-1-3-3 offered much new tactically, and too many teams played an ultra-defensive 4-2-3-1. Personal highlight How every South African, black and white, threw their support behind all the African teams. I thought the statements about this being Africa's World Cup were trite before I arrived, but it was true. Lesson for 2014 Bring in video technology and get Adidas to design something that doesn't swirl around like a helium-inflated beachball. Vuvuzelas? A bullying sound that blocked out the beautiful, such as the Shosholoza. Paul Doyle Match of the tournament Nigeria 2-2 South Korea – One of the few contests that hurtled along at a cracking pace and with offensive, honest intent from both teams. Throw in four goals, some tremendous saves and at least one preposterous miss, and we had a bona fide thriller that kept us gripped until the final whistle. Player of the tournament Landon Donovan – Seldom taken seriously by snooty Europeans, he exuded a verve and creativity that many of the old continent's stars lacked, and typified the positive attitude with which his team played even in the face of ridiculous refereeing. Goal of the tournament Quagliarella. Italy were on their way out after three abysmal performances. When the striker received the ball 25 yards from goal he could have taken the easy option by firing off a hopeful shot and blaming the Jabulani if it missed. Instead he retained enough class to send a delicious chip over the keeper. Biggest disappointment The decision-making of vibrant young teams such as Chile, Mexico and Ghana, who continually sabotaged thrilling buildups with wonky final balls or shots. Oh, and all the diving, as usual. Personal highlight Asamoah Gyan stepping up to take the first Ghanaian penalty in the shoot-out against Uruguay just moments after botching the spot-kick that could have made history. Lesson for 2014 32 teams is too many. Trim back to 24 and make Europe bear most of the cuts. And don't renew your manager's contract before he's shown whether he can handle the job. Vuvuzelas? Good. They gave a distinctive energy to even the dullest games.