Spain are loaded with attacking talent—David Villa, Fernando Torres, Pedro—but on Wednesday la Furia Roja needed a defender to come up with the goal that sent them through to their first-ever World Cup final.
Carles Puyol’s goal off a corner kick in the 73rd minute gave Spain a 1-0 win over Germany in their semifinal match in Durban. The Spaniards now move on to face the Netherlands, ensuring that the trophy will go to a nation that has never before lifted it.
The Spaniards dominated for most of the match, but the German defense held strong. In the 6th minute, Pedro, who started in place of Fernando Torres, released David Villa behind the defense but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer blocked the new Barcelona striker’s shot.
Puyol should’ve put away the opener in the 12th minute with a header from the edge of the six-yard box, but he missed the target high.
Germany, who were missing young attacker Thomas Müller through yellow card suspension, thrived on the counterattack in their run to the semifinals, and in the 32nd minute, it nearly worked again. A swift move upfield eventually saw Piotr Trochowski drill a low shot from 25 yards that forced Iker Casillas into a diving save.
Just before halftime, Mesut Özil had a shout for a penalty when Sergio Ramos clumsily bundled him over at the top of the Spain area; however, the referee waved play on.
Spain came out of halftime flying. Pedro, Andres Iniesta and Villa each had good chances to put the goal away.
In the 69th minute, another German counterattack found Miroslav Klose free on the left side. His cross picked out Toni Kroos with space at the far post, and his one-time volley forced Casillas to get down quickly to make the save.
Just four minutes later, Spain had their winner. Xavi hit a pinpoint corner into the area and Puyol flung himself up over his marker, Sami Khedira, to head home the winner.
In the 81st minute, Spain should’ve iced the match. Pedro and Torres, who entered in the 81st minute, broke on a 2-on-1 but Pedro failed to make the pass to Torres, who was wide open, and then lost control.
In the end it was not necessary. Spain had their goal and their win and their first trip to the World Cup final in the bag.
Scoring Summary
ESP – Puyol 73’
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Arne Friedrich, Per Mertesacker, Jérôme Boateng (Marcell Jansen 52’); Piotr Trochowski (Toni Kroos 62’), Sami Khedira (Mario Gomez 81’), Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski, Mesut Özil; Miroslav Klose
Spain: Iker Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila; Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso (Carlos Marchena 93’), Pedro (David Silva 86’), Xavi; David Villa (Fernando Torres 81’)
