The World Cup is a showcase for some of the best teams in the world, but also one in which the major stars make get a chance to express themselves to billions of people. The 2010 World Cup featured a number of brilliant superstars playing their best soccer. Uruguay's Diego Forlan managed to win the Golden Ball for a sizzling performance as he led his nation to the semifinals. Wesley Sneijder was the star behind the Netherlands' finals berth while Thomas Muller was a major breakout star for Germany in their third place finish. But the performance of the tournament would go to Spain's top goaltender Iker Casillas who became the backbone of a team that won with a team-first mentality.

The first Spaniard to lift the World Cup may not have been the best player on his team in many people's minds. Of course, he did not dominate possession the way Xavi did. He did not score the game-winner in the final that will forever be remembered. That, of course, was Andres Iniesta. He did not score the five goals that David Villa managed throughout the eight games. But Iker Casillas, or "San Iker" as he is called in some parts, was the hero when he needed to be. And Spain needed a hero in the most unexpected of moments.

Spain was the ultimate favorite heading into the tournament, but things got off to a sloppy start against Switzerland. On the lone goal, Casillas came out to stop the ball and made the save, but failed to get back in goal on the ensuing scramble. He was beaten later in the game but was lucky to get help from his post. He gave up another goal against Chile in the final group game off a free kick that was deflected and that was it. No more goals there after. For four straight games, San Iker was unbeatable.

He had a few major moments that saved Spain. The penalty against Paraguay in the quarterfinals with the game tied at 0-0 was one such instant. It looked like Spain would be eliminated by a frustrating Paraguay and would take a 1-0 lead off a penalty, but Casillas guessed right against Oscar Cardozo and shut the door. He would make another sensational save later in the game on a one-on-one situation and would make another game-changing stop in the semi-final against Germany's Toni Kroos.

But Casillas' biggest claim to fame will undoubtedly come from the save he made in the final. With the score at 0-0 in the second half, Casillas would have to face Arjen Robben one-on-one. He dove to his left but managed to get his foot on the shot and deflected it wide. That was the winner for the Netherlands but Casillas made sure that his team did not suffer the fate of being a choker.

And for his efforts, he lifted the trophy minutes later. He also won the Golden Glove for the tournament and helped Spain become the first champion to avoid allowed goals in its final four games; Spain was also tied for allowing the fewest goals in a tournament at just two. And with four straight 1-0 games, Casillas' contributions could not be ignored.

Much was made of Casillas' weakness in the air and while there were a few hairy moments for Spain, Casillas proved to be under control throughout and rarely provided his team with any chaos on the back end. He rarely produced a rebound and almost every single time he parried the ball away, it was either to a teammate or away from danger. His delivery from the back end, another often refuted weakness, was crisp and accurate throughout the tournament. This was undoubtedly one of Casillas' finest moments of his career. In total, he managed 18 stops in eight games and only conceded a record two goals in that span. 

Check out Casillas' biggest stops in the tournament below.