Reigning European champions Spain triumphed over Germany on Thursday night at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa. Athough the Nationalmannschaft had earlier on in the tournament seemed on target for the 2010 World Cup, the Spanish side proved too strong for them. Germany also lost to Spain in Euro 2008.
How Spain Triumphed Over Germany at the 2010 FIFA Semi-Finals
For the semi-final match Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque replaced out-of-form forward Fernando Torres with Barcelona player Pedro. This move allowed tournament top scorer David Villa to play through the middle and almost produced immediate results six minutes into the game. Pedro came in off his wing and slipped the ball in behind the Germany defence. Villa ran on to it but did not get a chance to shoot before German goalkeeper Manuel Neurer saved the ball. Germany threatened at 32 minutes when Piotr Trochowski, in for Thomas Mueller, shot from distance and forced Iker Casillas into a sprawling save.
Despite their good start, Spain were struggling to get into the box and started hitting pot shots from distance with Alonso, twice and Villa shooting wide. Neuer then saved from Pedro, who moments later shot wide. Villa was close to a tap-in after Iniesta broke into the box and lined the ball across the box. Still there was no goal.
At the other end substitute Marcell Jansen's cross was on by a Spanish head and then volleyed high by Miroslav Klose. At 69 minutes German possibly had their best chance of the match as substitute Toni Kroos arrived unmarked at the back post following onto Lukas Podolski's crss but his finis was weak and went straight to Casillas.
Defender Carles Puyol scored the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute.
Who will take the 2010 FIFA World Cup Home?
La Furia Roja (The Red Fury) will meet Netherlands for their first ever World Cup final on Sunday 11 July 2010 at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is fairly difficult to predict the outcome of the final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Spain are the current European champions, having won the UEFA European Championship in 2008. They also won the European Cup of nations in 1964 and reached the UEFA Euro 1984 Final. Spain have qualified for the FIFA World Cup twelve times, reaching fourth place in the 1950 tournament. In July 2008, Spain rose to the top of the FIFA World Ranking for the first time in their history, becoming the sixth nation, and the the first who has never won the World Cup, to top these rankings. The present team could correct this anomaly.
Netherlands are unbeaten in 14 World Cup matches of their South African campaign including eight in qualifiers and six at the finals. In many countries and even in the Netherlands itself, the team is colloquially referred to as Holland. They are bidding to win their first World Cup title having lost the 1974 and 1978 finals, to West Germany and Argentina respectively. This year's team is determined to take the trophy home.
Melody Mundawarara - Melody Mundawarara has always enjoyed creative pursuits. Her interests range from Art to Zoology. She is a keen researcher who is excited ...
