FIFA World Cup 2010 – Carles Puyol’s 11th Goal; 3 for Spain, 8 for Barcelona
When the Spaniards went head to head against the mighty Germans, seven Barcelona players were in the starting line-up of the team. In Durban, Carlos Puyol scored a magnificent goal from his head, in the second half, to help his team advance to the final.
Many of the Barcelona fans have noticed this goal to be the exact replica of the goal that was scored against Real Madrid at the stadium of Santiago Barnabeu on the date 2nd May, 2009. That day, the football club Barcelona met their arch rivals real Madrid and defeated them 6-2 as Puyol headed a goal into the net with Xavi’s cross; just like he did in the semi final clash against Germany.
The history of Santiago Bernabeu was repeated for the Barcelona captain Carlos Puyol when he came head to head with the Germans in the semi final of the FIFA World Cup 2010. To add more similarities to both the goals, Gerrard Pique was involved in both of them as he shielded the defender for his fellow centre back to head the ball into the net, just like he did in the match against Real Madrid. Gerrard Pique even helped Puyol to jump higher in both the goals, as Puyol went higher than Khedira to score a wonderful goal. Both the goals were very important to the teams. In the match against Madrid, Carlos Puyol’s header helped them move ahead of the Spanish Giants as they started winning the match 3-2 and eventually won the match 6-2. In the semi final clash against the Germans, Carlos Puyol’s header helped advance his team to the final, as it was the only and the winning goal of the match.
On July 7th 2010, history was made as the Spaniards qualified for the FIFA World Cup final for the first time. It was 0-0 in the semi final clash between the two European giants, Spain and Germany when Xavi sent in a long cross and Puyol scored from his head while Gerrard Pique shielded Khedira to let Puyol easily rise and hit a powerful header inside the net. He clashed with Pique while running into the 18 yard box, and then hugged him to celebrate for his goal that was going to advance them to the final.
On May 2nd 2009, 20th minute of the “El-Classico” was running out. Just like Durban, Xavi was the one who sent the ball into the 18 yard box and lifted his arm to indicate that he is going to set a play. This time Gerrard Pique shielded the Real Madrid players Metzelder and Higuain and it was Puyol again who came from outside the 18 yard box, ran in and bulleted a header inside the goal, and past the number 1 for Real Madrid, Iker Casillas. This time Puyol celebrated by showing the Catalan flag he had on his shirt.
Carlos Puyol, the defender for the Spanish side and the football club Barcelona, has scored only 11 goals in his career since he appeared in 1999 for Barcelona and made his international debut in 2000. Eight of the goals that he has scored were scored by him in Barcelona; out of which 6 of them are scored in La Liga while 2 are scored in the Champions League. For being able to score goals in Spain, he has been on target only 3 times. First time it was against Northern Ireland in a friendly match; second time, against Estonia in the FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifiers and for the third time, when he scored a goal against the Germans in the semi final.
Puyol’s debut for his international side was when he featured for his team on November 15, 2000 against Holland. He played for 55 minutes and the Dutch won the match 2-1.
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