Semi-Final Spain 1-0 Germany
Germany and Spain go head-to-head in the second semi-final on Wednesday evening. The match gives the Germans the opportunity to avenge their defeat to a Fernando Torres goal in the final of UEFA EURO 2008. No less than 19 survivors from that game – eight Germans and 11 Spaniards – will be on show in Durban, yet much has changed since that night in Vienna.
La Roja have struggled at times to produce the same majestic football that swept them to the European title, while Joachim Low’s revamped unit are unquestionably the form side of the competition. Die Nationalmannschaft have been winning new fans with their adventurous approach and earning praise from even the most seasoned of observers, Franz Beckenbauer among them. “Germany have never played like this before,” said an admiring Kaiser after his compatriots had seen off Argentina in the last eight.
The match
Germany-Spain, Semi-Final, Durban, Wednesday, 7 July, 20.30 (local time).
While no side has scored more goals in the tournament than Germany’s 13, the statistics show that Spain have done more attacking than anyone. If those two pieces of information are anything to go by, this should be quite a match. The Germans have been nothing short of spectacular in South Africa. After putting four past Australia in the group phase, they clicked into top gear in the Round of 16, overwhelming England 4-1 with their rapid counter-attacking style and then put another four past Argentina in the quarters.
Though Spain have reached a semi-final for the first time ever, they have been unable to match the exacting standards they have set for themselves in recent times, reproducing their eye-catching possession football only sporadically. Victors by a single goal in their last three games, the European champions can justifiably point to some massed defences as the reason for their reduced creativity, but there will be no excuses for a lack of spark come kick-off time on Wednesday.
All the indications are that Vicente del Bosque will keep faith with the XI that started against Paraguay, which means a reprieve for the misfiring Torres, who has yet to score. As for opposite number Low, his most pressing problem is to find a replacement for the suspended Thomas Muller, with Piotr Trochowski, Toni Kroos and Cacau all in the frame.
Players to watch
Miroslav Klose v David Villa
The leading marksman at South Africa 2010 with five of his country’s six goals, the Spanish striker is just one away from joining Raul as La Roja’s top scorer of all time. No less important to his team than the in-form Villa, Klose is closing on another record. The German forward needs to find the back of the net one more time to draw level with Brazil’s Ronaldo as the leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup finals history with 15 goals. One behind the Spaniard in the South Africa 2010 charts, Klose has not given up hope of making off with the adidas Golden Boot as well.
The stat
3 – The number of times the two sides have faced each other in FIFA World Cup matches. Germany have yet to lose, winning 2-1 at England 1966 and Spain 1982 and forcing a 1-1 draw at USA 1994.
What they said
“Spain are the favourites to my mind and their team play is just amazing. They don’t have one Messi, they have several, and they don’t make many mistakes either, unlike England and Argentina. We need to force them to make errors,” Joachim Low, Germany coach.
“We haven’t come this far to finish fourth. We are going to fight hard against Germany to reach the Final, which is our one and only objective. We’ve reached a landmark for Spanish football by getting past the quarter-finals, but we know the Germany match is the most important in our history, even more so than the EURO 2008 final in Austria,” Iker Casillas, Spain goalkeeper and captain.
@ Puma:
60
just dont start blaming the ref as biased 😆
@ superBul:59 – Super, Spain is in totally control. Not sure if Muller will help. Though all it takes is one goal in this sport and you win or lose.
Think Spain will be far more difficult for Holland. If Germany go through and play like this against Holland think the Dutch will win the cup. So maybe let Germany win here…hehehehehe.
Really want the Dutch to win their first cup.
@ superBul:61 – Super, 😆
Eishhhhhhhh, almost a goal by Germany.
This is where rugby is much better… the team who dominates will win 99% of the time… in soccer it is a lottery, often decided by 1 moment of brilliance or sheer dumb luck.
Goallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Spain!
Ole, ole, ole, ole!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS Spain score. Had to come they are playing outstanding football and outplaying the Germans totally.
Evening Boys
COME ON SPAIN…Let’s have a Holland v Spain final!! 🙂
@ grootblousmile:64 – gbs, Have to agree there.
Spain should hang in here to win…. they deserve it tonight.
Of course my Bru is once again farked!
67@ Blue Bird:
Hello
Think it will be a Spain vs Netherlands final. Spain deserves it
1 Minute of normal time left, this game is done and dusted
Spain wins 1 / 0
Spain wins 1-0 and now my dear Puma you are in trouble, like you said earlier.
…. and so, there’s only 2 left
Holland vs Spain in the Final.
Thats me done….
Holland my team of choice on Sunday.
Night boys
Sorry my team lost the moment my nephew was banned from playing today. Muller was the inspiration of that young German team. They never came out of their blocks.
Then again Spain never allowed then, sorry boys. This young team might go far though
Whoever wins on Sunday it will be their first ever SWC Crown
Good luck.
Well done Spain. They deserved it. Really out played Germany tonight. Going to be tough for Holland but Holland can do it.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THE ORANJE.
@ Blue Bird:76 – BB. Thanks you supporting my team for Sunday.
GOOOOOOOOOOO ORANGE GO ORANGE GO ORANGE…….HEHEHE.
Hope the Dutch can win their first world cup. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Good night everyone. Catch up tomorrow.
Can’t wait for the rugby on Saturday and the final of the football world cup on Sunday.
Come on Spain now to win the world cup.
Now to beat the divers of football!!
Someone needs to break Robben leg so he has something to dive about and roll all over the football field.
Must say this about the game last night there was very few dives in the first half, the first one i can recall was around the 24th minute. Funny how this 2 teams tried to stay on their feet.
Super, as mens ‘n hond wil slaan sal jy ‘n stok vind. Diving detracts from the game true, but surely you would’ve noticed that the vast majority of individual players and teams don’t dive? I think soccer can take a leaf out of rugby’s book and appoint citing officers at every major tournament to review games and specificaly nail the divers and fine and suspend them heavily.
Bygese, soccer remains the beautiful game and Spain’s commitment to carpet soccer has been justly rewarded with a place in the final. My heart went out to German players like Klose who now have one SWC final and two semi-final losses. Bitter, bitter pil om te sluk daai.
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