World Cup 2010: First goal of Spain against the Germans on second half

Carles Puyol has just scored his most important goal for Spain.

He launched himself at an Andres Iniesta corner kick and powered a header into the back of the German net in the 72nd minute for a 1-0 lead.

Puyol charged into the box and climbed above the defence to head home Xavi’s corner from the left. The winner will meet Netherlands in Sunday’s final. Germany and Spain are locked at 0-0 after 60 minutes of their World Cup semifinal match on Wednesday, with the Spaniards having the best chances and dominating possession.

The World Cup is guaranteed a first-time champion if the score holds.

Spain striker David Villa’s close-range shot from a pass by Pedro Rodriguez was blocked by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the sixth minute.

Neuer stopped Pedro’s shot in the 58th, and Andres Iniesta missed from a tough angle moments later.

Piotr Trowchowski had Germany’s best opportunity, with a long-distance shot in the 32nd that was saved by Iker Casillas.

The match was interrupted in the fourth minute when a spectator ran onto the pitch and was escorted off by security guards.

The winner will play the Netherlands in Sunday’s World Cup final.

Germany haven’t won a World Cup in 20 years, and haven’t won the thing since reunification. This tournament looks like Germany’s chance to not only reclaim the World Cup, but to do so in a style that could redefine perceptions of German football. But they need to beat Spain before thinking about that.

Spain swept every one before them in the 2008 European Championship with a modern and controlled form of football based around a few midfield maestros. The German team defeated in Vienna that day had no such player, or rather they had no such tactical genius.