Spains Semi Final Victory Against Germany Sets Up Final With Netherlands

The European champions, Spain, have joined Netherlands in the World Cup Final on Sunday by defeating Germany 1 nil in Durban tonight.

 

Carlos Puyol's 74th-minute header was enough to secure La Rojas a spot in their first ever FIFA World Cup final.

Whoever wins at Soccer City on Sunday, history will be made as a new name will be etched on the Trophy as neither Spain nor Holland have ever won the coveted golden trophy.

 

Tonight, Joachim Low’s men who were missing the suspended Thomas Muller, were unable to repeat the displays with which they swept aside England and Argentina in previous rounds and once again the Germans suffered a semi-final defeat.

 

This was Spain's first World Cup semi final and Vicente del Bosque's side dominated possession from the start. Spain had dropped Torres from the starting eleven and his replacement Pedro, making his first start of the finals, made his mark early on as he slipped a through-ball to David Villa after just six minutes but Villas finish found German keeper Manuel Neuer rushed out of his net to deny the Barca star.

 

In the 14th minute Spain had a corner where Iniesta drove in a cross that eventual goalscorer, Puyol met with a flying header that flew over the crossbar.

 

Germany who were happy to play deep in their own half, continued to counter-attack when Podolski played in Ozil on the left before he brought Klose into play on the edge of the box, but the Bayern Munich forward was crowded out. Spanish keeper Casillas needed to be alert as on the half hour mark when he turned a daisycutter from Trochowski from all of 30 yards by the post.

 

Germany looked to have a penalty claim on the stroke of half time when Ramos looked to have brought Ozil down in the box but the referee waved play on.

 

The second half began with Alonso driving a shot narrowly wide from 25 yards, then Villa bent another attempt just wide of the post. Pedro was next to try his luck as he made the German keeper Neuer make a fingertip save but as Mertesacker moved slowly to clear the rebound, Iniesta leaped on the opportunity to fire in a low cross that Villa was close to connecting to at the far post but missed.

 

Casillas had to make another save on 69 minutes as German sub Kroos side footed an effort at goal but it was at the other end that the all important goal was scored. With 16 minutes remaining on the clock Xavi fired in a corner that was met by the flying Puyol, and powered his header past the diving Neuer.

 

Pedro could have finished the game off in the final minutes when he and Torres burst through the German defence and when 2 on 1, Pedro decided not to pass to the wide open Torres and was dispossessed but it didn't matter as the final whistle was blown and Spain had reached their first ever World Cup final.

The only question that needs answered now is, Will it be La Rojas or the Oranje?