Matchday 23 - A New Era

Germany 0 - Spain 1 (Puyol 73)

A new era in world football dawned this morning, when Spain ensured there would be a new World Champion after advancing to the World Cup final with a 1-0 win over Germany.

Spain are through to the first World Cup final in their history after defeating Germany 1-0 in this mornings semi final. In reality, those who watched the game (inclduding German fans) would have to suggest that the scoreline was flattering to Germany because once again Spain absolutely dominated possesion, this time to the point of ridicule. But as has been the case throughout this tournament (and is probably the greatest weakness to their style) Spain could not convert their endless passing and possesion into goals. The sides went into the break at 0-0, and Spain were lucky not to trail after Mesut Oezil's penalty claims were denied when he was brought down in the box in first half injury time. The break did nothing to change the flavour of the game with the Spaniards contiune to play the game at their pace, dominating posession. The game opened up with about 30 minutes left with the Spaniards heavily pressing the German goal. The breakthrough finally came in the 73rd minute, not directly from open play but via a corner, when Carles Puyol thundered a header past Neur and into the back of the net. In reality that was it right there, as Spain were able to use their divine passing skills to deny Germany the ball for much of the remainder of the game. The Germans had no real clear cut chances in the last 20 minutes and after 3 minutes of added time the final whiste blew sending Germany out and Spain on to meet the Netherlands in Soccer city.

Final - Netherlands v Spain
3rd Playoff - Uruguay v Germany

What We Learned - It took until the semi finals but now we know that Spain ARE the real deal. While their huge dominance in posession has not translated into a flurry of goals, in reality they have had so much of the ball that they have not looked like getting beaten since going down to Switzerland in their opening group match. The way they restricted the Germans, who had scored 8 goals in their prior two games, to bit players in this match says it all. They are deserved favourites in the final.

The Falcon's Spud of the Day - Toni Kroos (Germany) - Germany had one golden chance to take the lead and it fell to Kroos who shot (his admittedly tough) first time volley straight at Casillas. If there was a moment when the Germans missed Mueller this was surely it, as in his current form he would have likely smashed it into the net and sent Germany through to the final. Kroos will have to live with his miss just as Luke Wilkshire will have to live with his.