Puyol power takes Spain to the brink
GERMANY (0) VS SPAIN (1)
CARLES PUYOL finally broke German hearts by heading Spain into their first-ever World Cup final in an intriguing match in Durban.
The Barcelona centre-back thundered home a winner from Xavi’s corner 17 minutes from time to hand the European champions a date with Holland – their first-ever World Cup meeting – in Soccer City on Sunday.
It was no more than the Spanish deserved after a dazzling display of passing football, although the Germans squandered a great chance to draw level in the closing stages – substitute Tony Kroos volleying straight at keeper Iker Casillas.
“All of our players were extraordinary – but we still have a match to play,” said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque. “We know Dutch football and it will be very tough in the final.”
He added: “From defence through to attack we played a great game. We’ve got another game in front of us, let’s see if we are able to control the ball. We’re in good shape physically, so let’s see if we can win.”
For Joachim Low’s German side, it proved a game too far in an otherwise memorable tournament, but his young starlets showed plenty to suggest they can challenge for major honours for many years to come.
Del Bosque even had the audacity to leave out the out-of-form Fernando Torres from his starting line-up, opting instead for Barcelona’s Pedro.
His side settled down the quicker but didn’t really hurt Germany, although keeper Manuel Neuer had to be alert early on to deny David Villa the chance to add to his five goals in the tournament so far.
But the Germans soon worked their way back into the game with Piotr Trochowski, in for the suspended Thomas Mueller, going close from distance and Mesut Ozil going down under the challenge of Sergio Ramos, only for referee Viktor Kassai to wave away his penalty claims.
Spain upped the ante after the break with Xabi Alonso and Andreas Iniesta both shooting
narrowly wide, while Villa just failed to connect with Iniesta’s ball across the six-yard box.
Germany’s big chance, however, came on 70 minutes when Lukas Podolski broke free down the left and centred for the unmarked Kroos, who scuffed his effort at Casillas.
And it was to prove costly. A matter of minutes later, the brilliant Xavi delivered a pinpoint corner from the left and Puyol rose highest to power a header beyond Neuer.
Torres was given his chance in the latter stages and was left cursing Pedro for not playing him in for an almost certain second when two-on-one with the German defence.
But it mattered not as Spain comfortably saw the game out to ensure there would by a new name of the World Cup trophy come Sunday.