Spain & Holland Face Off To Join The Magnificent 7

Spain 1(Puyol 73)

Germany 0

Spain put in a battling performance tonight in Durban and in doing so earned their place in the final of the World Cup against The Netherlands on Sunday. The shaggy haired Spaniard Carles Puyol scored the games only goal to send Spain to their first ever final

The Spaniards came into this evenings do or die encounter knowing that maintaining early possession was the key or else they would be looking at a horrible defeat to a German side who came into this game on great form, and the first 10 minutes belonged to Spain.  Germany conceded more possession in their games against both England and Argentina, but they barely had a kick  within that period so very patient stuff from Spain.

The first opportunity came in the 6th minute for the determined Spanish, a Brilliant pass forward from Pedro into the German box reached David Villa who got in behind Aren Friedrich, but he had to slide to get on the ball and Manuel Neuer raced off his line to block.  Germany had not started well  they were being put under so much pressure by Spain on the rare occasions they get hold of the ball.

The  first moment of uncertainty at the back for Spain came on the 10th minute as Gerard Pique tried to let the ball run out and Miroslav Klose so nearly stole possession, while moments later Mesut Ozil was flagged offside it was a very tight call.

The Spanish kept their wits about them in the first half and certainly won the  half in terms of possession and chances  created and it gave an indication we may be having a Spain vs Holland final. On the half hour  though perhaps just a first sign of slight frustration that the European Champions hadn’t gone ahead from Xabi Alonso as he slammed a right-foot shot wide from 30 yards. It was Spain’s fourth shot of the evening – Germany  had yet to threaten the Spanish goal.

There was one moment of pure chance for the Germans right before the break, Mesut Ozil got on to a pass forward and he worked his way into the box, but Sergio Ramos got across and Ozil went down in the  box. He wanted a penalty, but the ref waves play on. The half ended scoreless.

Spain started the second half brightly and straight away Sergio Ramos got Pedro away down the right, but only had David Villa in the box for him to hit and it flew over. The Spaniards kept pushing forward and moments later went even closer, and it was magical stuff from Pedro down the Spanish right – he somehow kept going  to the edge of the German box and when it looked like he’d run out of steam,  he manages to pull it back for Xabi Alonso, who promptly spanked it wide. Spain were starting to get very frustrated but they were keeping their cool.

On the hour mark, Spain might not have got much closer without scoring. Pedro had a shot from the edge of the box well saved by Manuel Neuer and then from the rebound Andres Iniesta came fizzing cross along the six-yard box just evades David Villa at the far post. Then, Pedro fired just wide from 20 yards. It was ALL Spain.

More frustration for Spain on 65, they just could not get that final ball right on the edge of the Germany box. This time Xabio Alonso and Pedro and Xavi were all involved before Andres Iniesta’s cross drifted behind. Fernando Torres started warming up. A Spanish goal was looming.

And they got it, it may have taken 73 minutes on non stop chances but their hard work and determination paid off. 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. Fabulous header – and not a short pass in sight. Joachim Loew was facing the biggest test of his managerial career. He just had 16 minutes to get a goal back and keep Germany in the World Cup.

With only 10 minutes to go Spain could have and really should have put the game to bed and looked twards their first ever World Cup Final. A German attack brook down and Spain were two-on-one – but Pedro dallied and procrastinated and got tackled instead of playing in an unmarked Fernando Torres. Pedro apologised, but the Spanish bench were horrified. He would turn into the man to blame if Germany were to somehow find their way back in the dieing minutes.

Germany had one chance, Xabi Alonso won the ball from Mesut Ozil but brought the midfielder down too and  a free-kick for Germany 40 yards out. After a couple of balls into the box are cleared, Carles Puyol fouled Bastian Schweinsteiger right on the edge of the Spain box but nothing was given. Pedro is then hauled off for Spain, with David Silva coming on.

In the last minute of regulation time, Andres Iniesta found Fernando Torres and he was desperate to create a shooting chance, but Arne Friedrich gets in well to boot the ball behind for a corner. Spain were just eating up the clock, but the game wasn’t yet over as 3 minutes were added on by the referee.

There wasn’t to be late drama in Durban and Spain deservedly earned their place in their first ever World Cup final against the Dutch. It wasn’t the most spectacular game, but anything that came in this match came for the men in red. 1-0 the final Score, Soccer City awaits.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.