Puyol lifts Spain to World Cup Final

A Carles Puyol header lifted Spain to their first World Cup Final as they defeated a disappointing Germany 1-0 Wednesday evening in South Africa.  The better team clearly emerged as winners as Spain bossed the match all night long.  I expected more from Germany in this game, but Spain is just that good.  They had the ball the entire first half.  It took Germany over 30 minutes to even register a shot.   

David Villa almost opened the scoring early on as he got behind the German defense, but keeper Manuel Neuer came quickly to close down the chance.  Puyol should have given Spain the lead later in the opening half but his header zipped high.  The game went to halftime scoreless with hopes Germany would fight their way into the match in the second half.

It was much of the same though as Spain held all of the ball and generated almost all of the attack.  Who would have ever guessed how the game would be decided though.  Germany would be undone by what is widely considered a German specialty.  A set piece.  After watching Spain take short corner after short corner they changed it up and it paid off bigtime. 

They lined up for what looked like another short start, but this time looked into the box instead.  Carles Puyol took up position at the top of the 18 with nary a German near him.   He had a free run as the ball was played into the box.  Puyol met it with force and pounded the header into the German goal.  It was the only long corner out of the seven Spain had on the night, but it was the winner.

Germany were forced to come out and play now, which yielded space for Spain in the attack.  The Germans were at least getting forward now, but Puyol would have none of it.  He was a man among boys as he won ball after ball in the back denying Germany any opportunity.

The Spain win sets up an all European final with Holland as one will claim their first ever World Cup title.  Spain will be clear favorites, but do not count out Holland who are on a long winning streak themselves and knocked off favorites Brazil earlier in the tournament.