GOAL: Puyol, 73
Score: Germany 0-1 Spain (HT 0-0)
Wisdom-Of-Fans.com Pre-Game Prediction: Germany 55% - Draw 9% - Spain 36% Most Popular Score: 3-1
Spain started as they always start - holding the ball with many touches. First major opportunity came to Villa on the 6. minute - amazing run and perfect pass from Pedro, but Neur was up to the task and saved Germany.
Total domination by Spain in the first half. Possession 66-34% for Spain at some point. 14' minute another opportunity for La Fura Roja - Iniesta cross, Puyol all the space needed, but the header went clearly over the goal. 32' minute impressive long shot by Trochowski, Casillas in trouble, it was the best opportunity for Germany.
Tense game - Spain searching for opportunities or waiting Germany to make mistakes. Germany played defensive football and tried to make counter-attacks. This tactics was questionable by Loew - we all remember Chile and Paraguay play against Spain - main goal - dont let Spain play their game!
Half-Time score 0-0.
Second-Half started like the first ended Spain dominating the game. Xabi Alonso made some nice long shots, David Villa had a great opportunity at the beginning of the second half - the goal was definitely in the air for Spain. Shots 11-2 for Spain at some point. Germany played a dangerous game. 69' minute Germany showed what their game is all about - super-quick counter-attack - Podolski cross to Kroos, but Casillas made a save. Spain with all the possession and Germany almost took the lead.
73' minute Spain did it - Puyol scored a header from Xavi corner - one the most important goals in his long career for sure! Spain enjoyed their game throughtout the match, Germany had some chances, but Loew chose the wrong tactics in my opinion. You just dont let Spain play their beautiful game - minute by minute they will get better. Del Bosque 1-0 Loew.
Spain in the final of the world cup for the first time in their history. They will meet Holland in the South-Africa 2010 Final. Germany will try to win another bronze on Saturday.
Best Fan Comment: Spain were the better team on the day, simple as that. The team with the most goals wins
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Attendance: 60,960
Referee: V Kassai
Voted Man Of The Match(FIFA.com) -
Xavi (Spain)
Honourable Mention -
Team Spain ;)
Statistics:
Germany Spain
* Possession 39% - 61%
* Attempts on target 4 - 5
* Attempts off target 1 - 8
* Corners 6 - 7
* Fouls 9 - 5
Team Line-Ups
Germany
* 01 Neuer
* 03 Friedrich
* 16 Lahm Captain
* 17 Mertesacker
* 20 Boateng (Jansen, 52)
* 06 Khedira (Gomez, 80)
* 07 Schweinsteiger
* 08 Ozil
* 15 Trochowski (Kroos, 62)
* 10 Podolski
* 11 Klose
Substitutes:
* 12 Wiese,
* 22 Butt,
* 02 Jansen,
* 05 Tasci,
* 14 Badstuber,
* 04 Aogo,
* 18 Kroos,
* 21 Marin,
* 09 Kiessling,
* 19 Cacau,
* 23 Gomez
Spain
* 01 Casillas Captain
* 03 Pique
* 05 Puyol
* 11 Capdevila
* 15 Sergio Ramos
* 06 Iniesta
* 08 Xavi
* 14 Alonso (Marchena, 90+3)
* 16 Busquets
* 07 Villa (Torres, 81)
* 18 Pedrito (Silva, 85)
Substitutes:
* 12 Valdes,
* 23 Reina,
* 02 Albiol,
* 04 Marchena,
* 17 Arbeloa,
* 10 Fabregas,
* 20 Javi Martinez,
* 21 Silva,
* 22 G Jesus Navas,
* 09 Torres,
* 13 Mata,
* 19 Llorente
WHAT WENT WRONG OR RIGHT!?
Spain in the final - cant ask what went wrong... but how do you feel about Spain - they have fulfilled the final expectation - how do you look back on their campaign and of course Can Spain Win It???
Germany will play the 3-4 place game in the second world cup in a row, not bad, but this time they hoped for a final spot I can imagine. But nothing to be ashamed of, super campaign behind them - when we saw total owning of England and Argentina. what are your thoughts on Germany???
Lets Talk WORLD CUP!!! Sign-Up And Comment Below!!!!
