Mexico defender Rafael Marquez has revealed his intention to retire from international football after the 2010 World Cup.
Marquez has played for his country for the last 13 years, earning 88 caps in the process, but now the 31-year-old Barcelona defender believes that it is time to end his international career in order to focus on his club form.
"Now is the time to move on and give a chance to the younger generation in my country," he said. "After this summer I will focus all of my attention on Barca.
"My dream is step aside having done really well in South Africa. This will be my third World Cup and that is a special achievement for any player."
SPECIALS
REGULARS
- Fifth Official
- The psychic octupus told you so
- Ask Norman
- Ask Norman: Squad lists and stoppers
BLOGS
HEADLINES
- Spain players ecstatic to beat 'rough' Dutch
- Ned 0-1 Esp (aet): Del Bosque praises players
- Iniesta dedicates winner to Jarque
- Cruyff disgusted by Netherlands' approach
- Van Marwijk: Webb wasn't in control
- De Jong admits fortune on Alonso challenge
- We did our best in World Cup final, says Webb
- 'Paolo' the octopus ends with 100% record
MY HEADLINES
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SCORES & SCHEDULES - Finals View Scoreboard »
- July 11, 2010
- Final
- Full Time
- Netherlands
- 0 - 1
- Spain
World Cup final
In a game when a record number of yellow cards were given out and John Heitinga was sent off in extra-time, both sides missed great chances but Andres Iniesta netted in the 116th minute to give European champions Spain their first World Cup title. Holland, after 1974 and 1978, must contend with a third World Cup final defeat. Read
July 10, 2010
- Full Time
- Uruguay
- 2 - 3
- Germany
Third Place play-off
Germany secured third place in the World Cup courtesy of an entertaining 3-2 win over Uruguay in Port Elizabeth. A Sami Khedira header settled a game that saw both Thomas Muller and Diego Forlan move onto five goals. Read
- Slovakia (F)
- Slovenia (C)
- South Africa (A)
- South Korea (B)
- Spain (H)
- Switzerland (H)
- United States (C)
- Uruguay (A)
Complete World Cup Fixtures » | Wallchart »
2010 VENUES
Capacity: 91,700 | Built: 1989
KEY DATES
- Group stage: June 11-25
- Second round: June 26-29
- Quarter-finals: July 2, 3
- Semi-finals: July 6, 7
- Final: July 11
- World Cup 2014: Brazil
STATS & RECORDS
Soccernet Bracket Predictor
First select which two teams will advance out of each the eight groups. The order you select them - 1st or 2nd - determines where they are placed in the 16-team bracket. Then predict the winner of the 15 bracket matches throughout the Finals. All picks locked with the first kickoff on Friday, June 11, 2010.
Soccer Pick'em
Accumulate the most points by correctly selecting the "winning pick" for each of the sixty-four (64) matches. During the forty-eight (48) group stage matches the "Draw" is included, while during the sixteen (16) knockout stage matches it's straight up who will win. Daily and overall prizes awarded, sign up now!
Soccernet World Fantasy
Play against your friends and the rest of the world for a chance to win a Dream Football Holiday! Select a 15-player squad from the 32 competing nations - within a $100M salary cap - then choose your Starting XI during each Gameweek of the tourney. If you have the most points after the Final, you win the holiday!
Soccernet Knockout Bracket
Complete a bracket by selecting the winning team for each of the 15 tournament matches. All brackets lock at the kickoff of the knockout stage on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Points are awarded for each correct pick, with point values increasing as the tournaments progress. Overall prizes awarded, sign up now!