With 38 days until the 2026 World Cup, we revisit Diego Forlan’s ferocious finish for Uruguay against Germany at the 2010 South Africa World Cup.
The third-place playoff was level at 2-2 when Forlan received the ball on the edge of the penalty area. The Atletico Madrid striker struck a sensational first-time volley that thundered into the net off the underside of the crossbar, showcasing the technique that had made him one of the tournament’s outstanding players.
Forlan had already scored four goals in the tournament, playing a pivotal role in Uruguay’s run to the semi-finals. His performances earned him the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, and this strike against Germany was a fitting finale to a memorable individual World Cup campaign.
