Germany-Spain: Puyol’s head comes in handy!
Spanish central defender Carles Puyol must have rued his missed chance at the quarter hour mark of the first half when his header from five yards sailed over the German crossbar. It was a real chance squandered. Consider that one practice, though, for Puyol’s head would come in handy later on.
The first half of today’s much anticipated semi-final between the two European giants was a tight and largely careful affair, with the Spanish mostly in control through the benefit of a crisp passing game, while the Germans never seemed to get their running game out of the blocks.
The Germans of course were playing without the suspended Thomas Muller, whose innocent touch on the ball with his forearm in the Argentina match earned him a booking and condemned him unfairly to the sidelines today.
Torres benched
Spain, on the other hand, started the match with striker Fernando Torres on the bench. Manager Vicente del Bosque preferred Pedro over Torres for today’s clash and indeed the decision seemed a proper one as Pedro made a nuisance of himself time-and-again in the German half of the pitch.
Yet despite a largely uninspired performance, the Germans offered the occasional threat. A long distance effort by Piotr Trochowski forced a good save from Spanish keeper Casillas on the half hour, and in first half stoppage time Mesut Ozil’s collision with Sergio Ramos drew German shouts for a penalty kick.
Such claims seemed a stretch since it was Ozil’s momentum that had caused him to collide with the Spanish defender, and Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai rightly kept his whistle silent.
Second half
The second half opened with the Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso aiming two efforts from distance at the German goal within the first five minutes. Both were off target, but Alonso’s efforts should have been a warning to the Germans that something was amiss in their midfield.
It wasn’t until the hour mark that Spain took full control. German keeper Neuer came up very big indeed at that time, saving Pedro’s shot. But this was followed up by several probing attempts by the Spanish,
Andres Iniesta being particularly pesky, that stretched the German defense.
Nobody would count the Germans out, however, and in the 69th minute substitute Toni Kroos, who had come on for Trochowski, had a chance to put Germany ahead with a right foot shot off a cross from Podolski. But Kroos opted for precision at the expense of power and his shot was saved by Casillas.
The turning point in the game arrived in the 73rd minute, however, when Puyol got his head to a corner kick. His run into the box took the German defense by surprise and the Spaniard struck the ball with force and accuracy. Germany 0-1 Spain.
Being a goal down the Germans were forced to take chances, thus exposing themselves to the Spanish counter-attack. Spain should have had a second when Pedro made a fine weaving run down the right. With only one defender to beat and with Torres wide open in the middle, he opted not to pass the ball but to dribble instead and he lost possession.
It academic, though. Puyol’s header was the only goal of the match and now Spain advances to a World Cup Final for the first time in their history.
It was an unusual match today
Regardless of allegiances, true football fans everywhere will have appreciated something very nice—and not very common--about today’s Germany-Spain semi-final:
It was a sportsmanlike contest with both sides clearly displaying their respect for one another. No diving. No feigned injuries. No cynical fouls. No bookings. Just two good teams playing an honest game of football.
What’s more, the best team won.
It was a real treat. Let’s hope Sunday’s Final is played in similar fashion.
French mutineers to face court martial?
New France coach Laurent Blanc has vowed to find players with "with the right mentality and team spirit" as he moves to rebuild a French squad shattered by revolt within the ranks.
According to the Associated Press, Blanc will interview the men considered the ringleaders, Patrice Evra, Eric Abidal, Franck Ribery, William Gallas and Thierry Henry.
Evra is likely to undergo the closest scrutiny. The Manchester United left back was the French skipper and led a team walkout following the dismissal of Nicolas Anelka for dissent after the 2-0 loss to Mexico in the group phase of the tournament.
The Golden Boot Contenders
All the fellows listed below are still in Golden Boot contention, with Uruguay and Germany facing each other in the 3rd place game on Saturday while Spain and Holland meet in the final on Sunday.
David Villa, Spain, 5 goals
Wesley Sneijder, Holland, 5
Thomas Muller, Germany, 4
Miroslav Klose, Germany, 4
Diego Forlan, Uruguay, 4
Luis Suarez, Uruguay, 3
Lukas Podolski, Germany, 2
Arjen Robben, Holland, 2
No European team has won a World Cup outside Europe
Here’s who won and where they won it.
Year Winner Location
1930 Uruguay Uruguay
1934 Italy Italy
1938 Italy France
1950 Uruguay Brazil
1954 West Germany Switzerland
1958 Brazil Sweden
1962 Brazil Chile
1966 England England
1970 Brazil Mexico
1974 West Germany West Germany
1978 Argentina Argentina
1982 Italy Spain
1986 Argentina Mexico
1990 West Germany Italy
1994 Brazil USA
1998 France France
2002 Brazil South Korea/Japan
2006 Italy Germany
