Spain down Germans to reach final

by Setanta Staff , 07 July 2010

Sunday's World Cup final will be between Spain and the Netherlands following the former's 1-0 win over Germany in Durban on Wednesday.


A Carles Puyol goal 17 minutes from time was all that Spain needed to overcome a German side that struggled to create any meaningful chances in the last four encounter.

Spain's victory means that a new name is guaranteed to be etched on to the World Cup on Sunday night with the Netherlands awaiting Vicente Del Bosque's in the decider in Johannesburg.

Del Bosque and his German counterpart Joachim Loew made just one change apiece to their starting line-ups with Pedro brought in in place of Fernando Torres and Piotr Trochowski replaced the suspended Thomas Mueller.

Spain dominated an interesting first half as both sides worked hard to break the deadlock. There was a cagey start to the encounter and it was the European champions that created the first genuine opportunity after six minutes.

Rodriguez slipped in a through ball to David Villa, but the new Barcelona player, was not able to get enough power in his shot to trouble Manuel Neuer greatly.

Next it was the turn of Andres Iniesta to set up Carles Puyol when he sent in a cross from the right, but the Barcelona captain fired over the bar.

While the Spanish seemed to camp in their opponent's half, Germany did have create a couple of opportunites with both Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Oezil threatening.

Indeed, the latter looked to have won a penalty for his side on the stroke of half-time when he was taken down by Sergio Ramos, but play was waved on by referee Victor Kassai to ensure the teams went in level at the break.

Once again it was Spain that starter the brighter and they grew in confidence as the half wore on with Pedro and Iniesta both going close to breaking the deadlock as the hour mark approached.

Germany introduced Toni Kroos and the youngster's introduction almost brought about a goal as he got on the end of a Lukas Podolski cross, only for Casillas to produce the save.

Within four minutes Spain were on the attack again and from the resulting corner, Puyol charged into the penalty box to head home the first, and only, goal of the game.

Pedro broke late on and could have put the game to bed but he selfishly held on to the ball, despite Torres having a clear shot at goal and the opportunity went a begging.

It did not matter, however, as Spain held on comfortably to book their first ever appearance in a World Cup final. There they will meet the Netherlands, another country yet to lift the famous trophy.

 

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Pos
Team P W D L +/- PTS
1.
Man City
38
28
5
5
64
89
2.
Man Utd
38
28
5
5
56
89
3.
Arsenal
38
21
7
10
25
70
4.
Tottenham
38
20
9
9
25
69
5.
Newcastle
38
19
8
11
5
65
6.
Chelsea
38
18
10
10
19
64
7.
Everton
38
15
11
12
10
56
8.
Liverpool
38
14
10
14
7
52
9.
Fulham
38
14
10
14
-3
52
10.
West Brom
38
13
8
17
-7
47
11.
Swansea
38
12
11
15
-7
47
12.
Norwich
38
12
11
15
-14
47
13.
Sunderland
38
11
12
15
-1
45
14.
Stoke
38
11
12
15
-17
45
15.
Wigan
38
11
10
17
-20
43
16.
Aston Villa
38
7
17
14
-16
38
17.
QPR
38
10
7
21
-23
37
18.
Bolton
38
10
6
22
-31
36
19.
Blackburn
38
8
7
23
-30
31
20.
Wolverhampton
38
5
10
23
-43
25
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