Kingson made the most saves of any keeper at the finals
After a month of intense action, some big-name players and past champions fell by the way side, leaving the Netherlands and Spain to face-off in the World Cup final.
Spain deservedly emerged champions and added football's biggest prize to the showcase that already had European championship.
At the end of it all, here's a look at the players who left a mark on the tournament.
Goalkeeper
Richard Kingson (Ghana) - Every World Cup gives journeymen a chance to shine and after a largely low-key, wandering club career, Wigan Athletic's third-choice goalkeeper Kingson impressed throughout in a strong showing by Ghana. Made the most saves of any keeper at the finals.
Photographs: Reuters
Image: Richard Kingson
After a month of intense action, some big-name players and past champions fell by the way side, leaving the Netherlands and Spain to face-off in the World Cup final.
Spain deservedly emerged champions and added football's biggest prize to the showcase that already had European championship.
At the end of it all, here's a look at the players who left a mark on the tournament.
Goalkeeper
Richard Kingson (Ghana) - Every World Cup gives journeymen a chance to shine and after a largely low-key, wandering club career, Wigan Athletic's third-choice goalkeeper Kingson impressed throughout in a strong showing by Ghana. Made the most saves of any keeper at the finals.
Photographs: Reuters
Image: Richard Kingson
DEFENDERS
Maicon (Brazil) - In a disappointing tournament for the Brazilians, Maicon was the only player to really enhance his reputation. Energetic down the right, he will be best remembered for his goal from an extremely tight angle against North Korea.
Image: Maicon
Image: Gerard Pique
Image: Carles Puyol
Image: Philipp Lahm
MIDFIELDERS
Xavi (Spain) - A sublime playmaker whose passing has been up to his usual, extremely high standards. The midfielder has been at the heart of Spain's metronomic passing game, his ball control and shielding technique are exemplary.
Image: Xavi
Image: Bastian Schweinsteiger
Image: Wesley Sneijder
Image: Andres Iniesta
STRIKERS
Diego Forlan (Uruguay) - The 31-year-old, who has got better with age, won the Golden Ball for best player of the finals. Now in a deeper role, he was the main creative force and attacking threat for the best South American team at the tournament.
His shooting was particularly dangerous from long range as shown by strikes from distance against South Africa in the group stage and in the semi-final defeat by Netherlands.
Image: Diego Forlan
David Villa (Spain) - Whether in a wide role supporting the main striker or down the middle as the sole forward, Villa's pace, movement, touch and eye for goal made him the biggest attacking threat at the finals in which he scored five goals.
Substitutes: Manuel Neuer (Germany), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Diego Lugano (Uruguay), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Netherlands), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Thomas Mueller (Germany), Miroslav Klose (Germany).
Image: David Villa
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