World Cup 2010: Spain overcome Germany after Carles Puyol winner

Spain made history by repeating themselves. The country appears in a World Cup final for the first time because it has hit on a formula for glory. They face Holland in Johannesburg on Sunday after winning every match in the knockout phase 1-0, with the goal in Durban coming through an overwhelming header from Carles Puyol.

That breakthrough arrived when Xavi found the centre-half with a corner-kick in the 73rd minute as Spain showed they need not impress solely with mellifluous passing. There is still something idiosyncratic about an expansive approach that brings narrow wins. The syndrome is especially galling for Germany, who lost by this score to Spain in the Euro 2008 final. The 1-0 results are a falsehood if they suggest that Vicente del Bosque's side grind out results. Their play is enjoyable as well as masterful and Holland will require every ounce of strategic intelligence and combativeness if they are not to vanish from the game. Germany was vigilant as they aimed to take the sting out of Spain. There were moments that would have heartened Low after the opening half-hour. The midfielder Piotr Trochowski, introduced for the suspended Thomas Muller, hit a good shot that was turned behind by Iker Casillas.

Having failed to damage Germany, Spain might have been in deep trouble on the verge of the interval. Mesut Ozil broke free and Sergio Ramos caught him with a challenge from behind. The contact had occurred just before the Germany midfielder entered the penalty area and the Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai saw no offence.

The second half contained a more direct approach from Del Bosque's men. Since this is Spain, nothing coarse was entailed, but the attacking was intense and Xabi Alonso got himself into positions for drives that went wide. All the same, it scarcely amounted to a reign of terror. If there was satisfaction for Spain in that spell it sprung from the knowledge that they had pinned down Germany. Andrés Iniesta got possession in the inside-left channel and his cut-back was nearly turned in by Villa. There was more intent and a higher tempo to Spain's work for a period.


Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/07/germany-spain-world-cup-match-report