World Cup 2010: Mexico, USA Reach Knockout Round; Honduras Eliminated In Group Stage

USA's Landon Donovan along with Nadir Belhadj & Karim Ziani of Algeria await possible loose ball from GK-Raïs M'Bolhi/Photo – ANCCIF Archives

By Steven Torres - ANCCIF President   (Posted on  24 June 2026)

History was made in 2010 as the FIFA World Cup took place on the African continent for the very first time. Three Concacaf qualifiers made the long journey to South Africa, with Mexico and the USA ultimately advancing to the knockout rounds, while Honduras bowed out in the group stage.

Group H: Honduras Plays the Spoiler

Under the guidance of Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda, Honduras was making only its second World Cup appearance. Placed in a formidable Group H alongside Chile, Spain, and Switzerland, the Catrachos faced a steep uphill battle.

Honduras opened its tournament on 16 June at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium, marking their first World Cup match since 1982. Facing a lethal Chilean side managed by the legendary Argentinean coach Marcelo Bielsa, a crowd of 32,664 watched Jean Beausejour score a first-half goal that held strong to give Chile a 1:0 victory.

Five days later on 21 June, Honduras traveled to Johannesburg’s Ellis Park Stadium to face Spain. It was the first World Cup meeting between the two sides in 28 years—a fixture that had famously ended in a 1:1 draw in 1982. This time, however, the heavy favorites prevailed. Before 54,386 spectators, David Villa netted both goals to power the Spanish side to a comfortable 2:0 win.

Already mathematically eliminated, Honduras concluded group play on 25 June against Switzerland at Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium. Playing for pride before 28,042 fans, the Catrachos successfully played the role of spoilers. They held the Swiss to a scoreless draw, shattering Switzerland's hopes of reaching the Round of 16 and sending both teams home.

Group A: Mexico Battles Through the Group of Death

Javier Aguirre returned for his second stint at the helm of El Tri, leading Mexico into its 14th World Cup appearance. Mexico faced a daunting task in Group A, grouped alongside defending champions France, two-time winners Uruguay, and the host nation, South Africa.

Mexico had the distinct honor of playing in the tournament’s opening match on 11 June at Johannesburg’s Soccer City. In front of an electric crowd of 84,490, Siphiwe Tshabalala sent the home fans into absolute euphoria with a thunderous 55th-minute strike. However, Mexico's iconic captain Rafael Márquez answered back, latching onto a cross to slot home the equalizer with 11 minutes remaining to rescue a 1:1 draw.

On 17 June, Mexico secured a historic milestone at Polokwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium. Second-half goals from rising star Javier "Chicharito" Hernández (64') and a coolly converted Cuauhtémoc Blanco penalty (79') lifted Mexico to a stunning 2:0 triumph over France. The victory marked Mexico's first-ever win against a former World Champion in a World Cup tournament, witnessed by 35,370 in attendance.

Mexico wrapped up group play on 22 June against Uruguay at Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng Stadium. A 43rd-minute header from Luis Suárez just before halftime proved to be all La Celeste needed. Despite the 1:0 defeat before 33,425 spectators, El Tri still advanced to the Round of 16, narrowly edging out the hosts South Africa on goal difference.

For the second consecutive World Cup, Mexico’s journey collided with Argentina in the Round of 16. Returning to Soccer City on 27 June, history cruelly repeated itself for El Tri. A crowd of 84,377 saw Carlos Tevez strike twice (26’, 52’) and Gonzalo Higuaín add another (33’) to hand Argentina a commanding 3:1 victory. Hernández scored a spectacular consolation goal for Mexico in the 71st minute, but it wasn't enough to avert another Round of 16 exit.

Group C: Drama and Stoppage-Time Magic for the USA

Making their ninth World Cup appearance, the USA was led by New Jersey native coach Bob Bradley. The Stars & Stripes were drawn into a highly competitive Group C alongside Algeria, Slovenia, and 1966 world champions England.

The USA kicked off their campaign on 12 June at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium with a highly anticipated clash against England—their first World Cup meeting since the USA's legendary 1:0 upset in 1950. Steven Gerrard gave the Three Lions an early lead just four minutes in, but Clint Dempsey equalized five minutes before the break, capitalizing on a costly goalkeeping error to delight the 38,646 fans in a 1:1 draw.

On 18 June, the USA showcased their trademark resilience against Slovenia at Ellis Park Stadium. Trailing 2:0 at halftime courtesy of goals from Valter Birsa (13’) and Zlatan Ljubijankić (42’), the Stars & Stripes mounted a furious second-half comeback before 45,573 spectators. Landon Donovan ignited the rally with a blistering strike in the 48th minute, and the coach's son, Michael Bradley, thwacked home an equalizer with eight minutes left to secure a thrilling 2:2 draw.

The final group match on 23 June against Algeria in Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium became an instant classic. With England leading Slovenia in the parallel match, the USA desperately needed a victory; a draw would mean immediate elimination. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, the Stars & Stripes launched one final, breathless counterattack. Goalkeeper Tim Howard threw a massive outlet pass to Donovan, who surged downfield and fed Jozy Altidore. Altidore's cross found Dempsey, whose initial shot was blocked by Algerian goalkeeper Raïs M'Bolhi, but Donovan followed up the rebound to smash home the dramatic before time expires. The 1:0 victory sent the USA into the knockout round as group winners for the first time since 1930.

However, the USA’s magical run came to a heartbreaking end on 26 June at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Facing Ghana, a crowd of 34,976 witnessed the Black Stars eliminate the Stars & Stripes by a 2:1 scoreline for the second consecutive World Cup. Kevin-Prince Boateng struck early for Ghana in the fifth minute, but Donovan leveled from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute. Tied at 1:1, the match headed into extra time, where Asamoah Gyan scored a stunning game-winner just three minutes into the first overtime period, sending Ghana to the quarterfinals and the USA home.

The Finale

The historic 2010 World Cup culminated on 11 July at Soccer City, where a new champion was crowned. Spain defeated the Netherlands 1:0 thanks to a dramatic extra-time goal from Andrés Iniesta, delighting 84,490 fans and closing the book on an unforgettable tournament.

2010 World Cup

Honduras Roster

GK: Ricardo Canales (FC Motagua), Donis Escober (CD Olimpia), Noel Valladares (CD Olimpia);

DF: Víctor Bernárdez (RSC Anderlecht/BEL), Osman Chávez (FC Platense), Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic FC/ENG), Boniek García (CD Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (FC Motagua), Sergio Mendoza (FC Motagua), Johnny Palacios (CD Olimpia), Mauricio Sabillón (Zhejiang FC/CHN);

MD: Édgar Álvarez (SSC Bari/ITA), Amado Guevara (FC Motagua), Ramón Núñez (CD Olimpia), Wilson Palacios (Tottenham Hotspur FC/ENG), Hendry Thomas (Wigan Athletic FC/ENG), Danilo Turcios (CD Olimpia);

AT: Roger Espinoza (Kansas City Wizards), Walter Martínez (CD Marathón), Carlos Pavón (Real CD España), Jerry Palacios (Zhejiang FC/CHN), David Suazo (Geona CFC/ITA), Georgie Welcome (FC Motagua).

TD: Reinaldo Rueda (COL)

Mexico Roster

GK: Luis Ernesto Michel (CD Guadalajara), Guillermo Ochoa (Club América), Óscar Pérez (Jaguares FC);

DF: Paul Aguilar (CF Pachuca), Efraín Juárez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallón (CD Guadalajara), Rafael Márquez (FC Barcelona/ESP), Héctor Moreno (AZ Alkmaar/NED), Ricardo Osorio (VfB Stuttgart/GER), Francisco Javier Rodríguez (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas FC);

MD: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Andrés Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña/ESP), Alberto Medina (CD Guadalajara), Gerardo Torrado (CD SC Cruz Azul);

AT: Adolfo Bautista (CD Guadalajara), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Veracruz), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray SK/TUR), Guillermo Franco (West Ham United FC/ENG), Javier Hernández (CD Guadalajara), Carlos Vela (Arsenal FC/ENG).

TD: Javier Aguirre (MEX)

USA Roster

GK: Brad Guzman (Aston Villa FC/ENG), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/ENG), Tim Howard (Everton FC/ENG);

DF: Carlos Bocanegra (Stade Rennais FC/FRA), Jonathan Bornstein (CD Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96/GER), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC/ENG), Clarence Goodson (IK Start/NOR), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan/ITA), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United FC/ENG);

MD: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers FC/SCO), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach/GER), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC/ENG), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers FC/SCO), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus Gymnastikforening/DEN), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers FC/ENG), José Francisco Torres (CF Pachuca/MEX);

AT: Jozy Altidore (Hull City AFC/ENG), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gómez (Club Puebla/MEX).

TD: Bob Bradley (USA)

Editor’s Note: Acknowledgement to ANCCIF North Zone Board Member – Marcelo Assaf (Mexico); ANCCIF Member – Nelson Manzanares (Honduras)  for their assistance on this article