Spain vs Netherlands World Cup Final, as Barcelona’s Carles Puyol Wins it for Spain 1-0 vs Germany
Spain overhauled Germany 1-0 in the 2nd semifinal of the FIFA World Cup 2010 (Netherlands had already beaten Uruguay 3-2 to book their place in the Finals). It was a much deserving win for the European champions, who pretty much dominated the match from the start to the final whistle. Despite countless silky moves from Spain, eventually it was a corner that led to the only goal of the match, as Barcelona Captain Carlos Puyol rose high to power home a header.
The highly anticipated game began at a relatively slow pace; neither of the teams were willing to commit too many men forward. But it was Spain who set the pace of the match with some excellent moves mainly initiated by the star-studded midfield of Xavi, Iniesta and Alonso. However, the German defence stood strong. Alonso then decided to take some long shots on his own, but his bullets from outside the box were parried away.
The first half ended at 0-0, but it was clearly Spain who dominated the first 45 minutes.
Nothing much changed, though, in the 2nd half: Spain started brightly and Sergio Ramos got Pedro away down the right, but there was only David Villa in the box for him to hit, and it flew over the five-goal front man’s head.
This was followed by some magical stuff from Pedro down the Spanish right - he somehow kept going and got to the edge of the Germany box, and just when it looked like he would run out of steam, he managed to pull it back for Xabi Alonso, who promptly spanked it wide.
There was relentless attacking play from Spain; the European champions played the ball from right and on the edge of the Germany box. Xavi laid it off again to Xabi Alonso, but his left-foot shot flew narrowly wide of German keeper Manuel Neuer's left-hand post.
Spain, though, continued their form and got into a good position again, and after Andres Iniesta found Xavi, he played it short to David Villa towards the left, but his effort didn’t come back enough and was comfortably wide for Manuel Neuer.
It was still cagey. Spain were still waiting for the perfect moment to pass through the German defence, and the Germans were waiting for their chance to counterattack. Soon Pedro had a shot from the edge 6 yard box which was well saved by Manuel Neuer, and then from the rebound, Andres Iniesta's fizzed cross along the six-yard box just evaded David Villa at the far post.
Sergio Ramos then tried to latch on to a cross into the Germany area, and he went down under a challenge from Lukas Podolski, but there was nothing doing there for Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai.
There was more frustration for Spain; they just could not get that final ball right. This time Xabi Alonso, Pedro and Xavi were all involved before Andres Iniesta's cross drifted behind. Fernando Torres started warming up on the touchline.
David Villa then got past a defender and drilled a cross-shot goal-ward from an angle on the right, but Manuel Neuer got down well to make a routine save.
And finally it happened: Xavi flung over a corner from the left, and Barcelona captain Carles Puyol climbed highest to absolutely thump a header from 10 yards past Manuel Neuer. It was from an unlikely source, but the goal was priceless.
Germany finally came out and played, but Spain hit them more on the counter, and Pedro was very selfish not passing the ball to Torres during his one-on-one with the keeper.
Spain continued to press on and the Germans had no answer; Spain held on to make it to their first World Cup Final. They now face The Flying Dutchmen, Netherlands, in the final, to be played on July 11, 2010.
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