<P> South African winger Siphiwe Tshabalala was the first player to score a goal in the competition , in their 1 -- 1 draw against Mexico , the opening game of the tournament . Danish defender Daniel Agger was credited with the first own goal of the tournament , in his side 's 2 -- 0 loss to the Netherlands . Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuaín was the only player to score a hat - trick in the tournament , in Argentina 's 4 -- 1 win over South Korea . It was the 49th World Cup hat - trick in the history of the tournament . </P>
<P> South African winger Siphiwe Tshabalala was the first player to score a goal in the competition , in their 1 -- 1 draw against Mexico , the opening game of the tournament . Danish defender Daniel Agger was credited with the first own goal of the tournament , in his side 's 2 -- 0 loss to the Netherlands . Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuaín was the only player to score a hat - trick in the tournament , in Argentina 's 4 -- 1 win over South Korea . It was the 49th World Cup hat - trick in the history of the tournament . </P>
who scored the first goal in 2010 world cup
who scored the first goal in 2010 world cup
South African winger Siphiwe Tshabalala
South African winger Siphiwe Tshabalala