Skysports.com looks at the best and worst moments from the first round of World Cup fixtures.
Game of the week
South Africa 1 Mexico 1
It is fair to say that this World Cup has largely disappointed to date. The general consensus as to why this is the case seems to be the fear factor of losing your first group match, which is, just about, understandable. However, it all started so well in Johannesburg last Friday. Indeed, the clash between the hosts South Africa and Mexico was a blistering beginning to the tournament. The match was played with a speedy tempo with both teams prepared to attack. The drama truly unfolded when fans were sent into raptures courtesy of Siphiwe Tshabalala's sensational strike (see below). Mexico's Rafael Marquez then pulled a goal back to deny South Africa a thrilling win.
Player of the week
Mesut Ozil
Ozil's impressive display in Germany's 4-0 thumping of Australia has already led to rumours linking him with a high-profile move from Werder Bremen this summer. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder was at the heart of all things excellent for the Germans. He had a cheeky chip cleared off the line, played a part in Germany's opener and later assisted Cacau with a low cross.
Performance of the week
Switzerland
Who saw that coming? Not anyone, you would imagine. Massive kudos to the Swiss for their disciplined display against Spain as they pulled off the shock of the tournament so far. And credit to the Germans for their start to the World Cup as they ran riot against Australia, who had Tim Cahill sent off. Lukas Podolski put them in front with a powerful drive before Miroslav Klose headed in to double their advantage. Thomas Muller got in on the scoring act in the second period and then Cacau rubbed further salt into Australia's wounds. Elsewhere, praise too for North Korea for their valiant display versus Brazil.
Goal of the week
Siphiwe Tshabalala
Brazil's Maicon only just misses out on this award such is the remaining debate over whether he intended to score from such a ridiculous angle against North Korea. Therefore, Tshabalala is our winner for opening the tournament in some style with his emphatic finish. He latched onto a wonderful pass from Kagisho Dikgacoi, took a touch and then unleashed an outrageous finish which nestled into the far, top corner. Marvellous.
Pass of the week
Kagisho Dikgacoi/Robinho
First, a description of the Dikgacoi's assist which saw him slice open Mexico's defence to thread through Tshabalala for his magical goal. The pass was of real quality as it capped a fine counter-attacking move for the host nation. Robinho, meanwhile, really shone for Brazil versus the North Koreans, and he rounded off said display with a terrific assist for Elano's goal. The Manchester City forward got his head up before angling in a defence-splitting through ball which allowed Elano not to break stride as he nestled the ball home.
Controversy of the week
Tim Cahill red card
Australia's Tim Cahill became the fourth player at the 2010 World Cup to be shown a red card when he was penalised by referee Marco Rodriguez. Cahill went in clumsily on Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 56th minute, resulting in a dismissal. Cahill's tackle on the German was from behind, but it looked more a booking than a hard red card, which ensures the distraught Everton man will at the very least miss his nation's next game against Ghana.
Save of the week
Vincent Enyeama
The Nigerian shot-stopper enjoyed a fine outing against Argentina as he helped ensure his team lost just 1-0 and remained within a sniff of a late equaliser. He was outstanding throughout the 90 minutes, frustrating the in-form Lionel Messi. Three times he made brilliant, acrobatic saves to deny the Barcelona star. In fact, Argentina had seven dangerous shots on target, with only one of those finding its way past the inspired Enyeama, whose highlight was arguably in the 37th minute when he was at full stretch to tip a curling Messi effort away from goal.
Miss of the week
Waldo Ponce
Oh lordy. Just how did Chile's Ponce miss this? He had the goal at his mercy as he attacked the ball from just a couple of yards out. But somehow his diving header (why he chose this method is a separate point of discussion) was clawed away by the scrambling Noel Valladreas. Elsewhere, Sidney Govou's miss encapsulated a very poor display from the French as they played out a goalless draw with Uruguay. The right winger was presented with a golden chance in the early exchanges when Franck Ribery put in a low cross. But from just a few yards out, Govou managed to skew his effort wide of the goal, with the ball squirting harmlessly off target.
Gaffe of the week
Robert Green
Even worse than Govou's moment was Green's for England against the United States. Just to relive the pain once more, Clint Dempsey had a pop from some distance, but his shot was central and lacked any real power. However, a lapse in concentration saw Green initially save and then spill the ball into his own net to gift the USA an equaliser which earned them a point. Simon Poulsen also had a head-in-hands moment for the Danes when his wayward nod hit Daniel Agger and dropped into his own net, while Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar and Algeria shot-stopper Faouzi Chaouchi were both guilty of terrible mistakes.
Talking point(s) of the week
Vuvuzela and Jabulani
These two debated points have grown rather tiresome such has been the length at which they have been contested. First, the sound of the vuvuzela, an instrument that drowns out crowd noise in favour of a buzzing noise. There have been calls to ban the horn, but World Cup bosses have confirmed that will not happen, saying they reflect "the sound of Africa". The infamous Jabulani ball, meanwhile, continues to be criticised left, right and centre, despite there being little evidence of it deviating from the latter.
