July 8: Paul has proved to be prophetic. The German octopus with psychic powers had predicted a Spain win in the second semi-final. Spain duly obliged the celebrity invertebrate to enter their maiden World Cup final after a 1-0 win over Germany here on Wednesday.
Central defender Carles Puyol headed in Xavi’s corner in the 73rd minute to end Spain’s perennial pain at the premier event. Spain will meet the Netherlands, who finished second in 1974 and 1978, in the final on July 11.
Irrespective of the result on Sunday, the stage is set for a couple of unprecedented feats — a European team are assured of a title outside the continent and the Fifa trophy will have a new name etched on it. It was fitting that Puyol who embodies the bulldog spirit of a reborn Spain was the hero at the futuristic Durban Stadium. The sturdy defender with a flowing mane may not be outrageously talented but none can question his willingness to shed blood for his team’s cause. Puyol had asked for the ball when Xavi was about to whip in the corner and he rose to the occasion when the delivery came. Barcelona combined with Barcelona to signal the end of the road for Germany’s exciting young team.
German defenders hadn’t factored in the defender’s run and paid the price. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had no chance to stop the ball as Puyol’s powerful effort angled away from him to his left. It was Spain’s first World Cup win against Germany in four meetings. Like the final of Euro 2008, the Germans once again failed to crack the Spanish puzzle.
The wheels came off Germany’s game on Wednesday and they never got going. The team with the most number of goals in South Africa looked toothless in the final third. In the absence of suspended Thomas Mueller, Germany lacked width and inspiration on the right wing. Piotr Trochowski, Mueller’s replacement, was inadequate.
Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger excelled in his defensive duties but that deprived his team of ideas in the attacking half. Mesut Oezil’s quiet evening compounded Germany’s woes. After dismantling England and Argentina by four-goal salvos, the Germans weren’t able to keep their foot on the gas against a technically accomplished Spanish side.
Spain’s confidence on the ball and intricate passing frustrated Germany in the match that was far away from a classic. The first half was pedestrian with neither side getting close to the scoring sheet. But the break transformed Spain. Vicente del Bosque, who had replaced Fernando Torres with Pedro in the starting XI, might have told his charges to raise the tempo. Raise they did to rattle Germany.
Andres Iniesta worked his way to the left byline and sent a teasing cross across the goal. David Villa was inches away from putting it into the net. Undaunted by the persistent deadlock, Xavi and Co. stuck to their philosophy of possession play and short passing to chip away at Germany’s confidence.
The solidity of their defence gave Spain the insurance to step a gear up at the other end. German teams never give up in any sport but they looked a jaded lot on Wednesday. Pedro could have piled on the German agony towards the end but he squandered a glorious chance on the counter. Spain will not mind the glaring miss because they are a match away from the holy grail.