A four-way tie on five goals
At South Africa 2010, four players finished on five goals: Thomas Müller (Germany), Diego Forlán (Uruguay), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) and David Villa (Spain). It was one of the closest Golden Boot races in World Cup history.
How Müller won it
FIFA's tiebreakers go to assists first, then fewest minutes played. Müller had three assists, more than his rivals, which gave him the Golden Boot at just 20 years old. He also won the Best Young Player award.
The wider picture
Spain won the 2010 final 1–0 over the Netherlands. Diego Forlán took the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player despite not winning the Golden Boot, and Sneijder's Netherlands reached the final.
Related coverage
Frequently asked questions
Who was top scorer at the 2010 World Cup?+
Thomas Müller, with five goals (Golden Boot).
Who else scored five?+
Diego Forlán, Wesley Sneijder and David Villa.
Why did Müller win the award?+
He had more assists (three) than the others on five goals.
Who won the 2010 World Cup?+
Spain, beating the Netherlands 1–0 in the final.