Germany line-up: Neuer, Friedrich, Khedira (Gomez, 81'), Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Podolski, Klose, Trochowiski (Kroos, 62'), Lahm (c), Mertesacker, Boateng (Jansen, 52')
Spain line-up: Casillas (c), Pique, Puyol, Iniesta, Villa (Toress, 81'), Xavi, Capdevila, Alonso (Marchena, 93'), Ramos, Busquets, Pedro (Silva, 86')
Spain just about get past Germany in a tight affair, meaning that Spain will face Holland in Cape Town on Sunday for a chance to become a first-time World Champion. On a slightly more light hearted not this result meant that once again Paul the Psychic Octopus correctly predicted the winner. The first half was very cagey with few chances, Spain as usual dominated possession but lacked potency in the way of creating chances. Although Germany saw less of the ball they looked more threatening in front of Casillas and posed a few problems. The best chance of the half for Spain came within six minutes when Torres' deputy Pedro fed in a good through ball past the defence into Villa, however Neuer was off his line quickly and was easily able able to parry Villa's effort. Eight minutes later and Spain should have been ahead; Xavi played a short corner to Iniesta, he crosses into the box where Carles Puyol was unmarked six yards from goal but he managed to somehow head the ball over the bar. After those two chances Spain created next to nothing in front of goal but still dominated possession with around 60% of it. Casillas overall was the busiest keeper in the first half although he wasn't called into action until the half-hour mark, Trochowski, who was in for the suspended Muller, fired a lethal shot from 30 yards and Casillas did well to parry away from a corner, which resulted in a somewhat nervy punch from the Spain captain but no danger followed from that. The big talking point of the first half came on the stroke of half-time; a rather muted Ozil had broke past the Spain defence but was seemingly tripped in the box by the chasing Sergio Ramos but the Hungarian referee waved play on and Spain were a little lucky.
The second half was very much like the first except Spain had found urgency in their possession and started creating more chances. Xabi Alonso and David Villa both fired warning shots just past the post of Neuer's goal and Germany were looking a little nervous, especially coach Joachim Low. Pedro, who looked very good in place of Torres, forced a fingertips save from Neuer and Mertesacker uncharacteristically was caught napping in trying to clear. This allowed Iniesta to steal the ball before drilling it across the six yard box and David Villa was inches away from sliding it home. Low decided it was time to change things and brought Jansen in replace of Boateng, who didn't seem to deal with Pedro very well, then ten minutes later Kroos came on for Trochowski in an attacking move. Seven minutes after coming on, Kroos brought about the first chance of the second half for Germany; he met Podolski's cross at the far post but his side-footed volley was a bit tame and Casillas forced it away. With just over fifteen minutes remaining Spain found their goal, after Puyol's warning header in the first half Xavi placed another corner onto the penalty spot where yet again Puyol rose unmarked to fire a bullet header past Neuer. With Germany needing to come out and attack Spain were able to catch them on the break and should have put the game beyond all doubt. Pedro and substitute Torres found themselves in a two-on-one situation against Freidrich, however Pedro decided not to use the unmarked Torres and Friedrich was able to get back and tackle. Torres also became a guilty party on the greed count when Spain broke into a three-on-two advantage but again Torres went alone and was tackled. But it was to immaterial as the final whistle went and Spain are now through to their first ever World Cup where they will meet the biggest underachievers in World football, Holland.
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