by Marc Roseblade
The European champions, Spain, have joined Netherlands in the World Cup Final on Sunday after defeating Germany 1 nil in Durban tonight.
Carles Puyol’s 74th-minute header was enough to secure La Rojas a spot in their first ever FIFA World Cup final.
No matter who wins at Soccer City on Sunday, history will be made.
Tonight, Joachim Low’s men (minus wunderkind Thomas Muller) were unable to repeat the displays with which they swept aside England and Argentina in previous rounds. 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. Instead, Pedro Rodriguez had his first start of the finals and made a mark early on as he slipped a through-ball to David Villa after just six minutes. Despite a solid finish, German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made the save.
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 on the half hour mark when he turned a 30-yard daisycutter from Trochowski by the post.
Germany called for a penalty 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. As Mertesacker moved slowly to clear the rebound, Iniesta leaped on the opportunity to fire in a low cross that Villa just barely 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 defense with a 2 on 1 assault. It looked as though Pedro would set Torres up with his first goal of the tournament, but the young Barca striker held on too long. In the end, Spain won.
We now look forward to history being made as a new name will proudly appear as FIFA World Cup Champions 2010. No one could argue that these two teams deserve to be at Soccer City on Sunday.
The only question that needs answered now is, Will it be La Rojas or the Oranje?
read more from Marc at My Scottish Football!
