Everything stopped for Spain’s vital semi final game tonight. In Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, the Beach Boys even put their concert back an hour to allow fans to see the game on giant screens. Now the car horns are blaring and the parties have started. Maybe they will win the final on Sunday “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
Germany 0 , Spain 1
Two notable striking changes before the game, Torres was dropped by Spain and Tenerife born Pedro replaced him while Germany’s suspended Mueller gave way for Trochowski. Pedro made an instant impression with a run down the left that was halted by Lahm. The new boy followed up with a tempting ball to Villa that was smothered by oncoming keeper Neuer. Spain were stroking the ball around but couldn’t find the end product, Germany sat back and soaked it up like their teams of old. Iniesta set up Puyol with a well drilled pass across the goal but he couldn’t make his diving header count as it sailed over the bar.
Germany started to be more adventurous, Trochowski let go a long shot that Casillas turned away with his finger tips and Ozil caused problems down the left flank. Pedro was relishing his first start for Spain and forced a corner but it came to nothing, much of Spains work was just a bit too intricate and Villa was well bottled up by the German defence. The half ended with a penalty appeal from Germany, Ozil ran through into the box and went down after brushing with Ramos. The ref didn’t blow for anything so the last few minutes drained away.
Pedro was a livewire again as the second half started, his showed all his trickery on the right before setting up Alonso but his finish wasn’t quite good enough. One of the best passing moves of the game came from Capdevila to Xavi and Pedro who forced a save. Germany looked subdued but managed a break from Podolski that Piquet did well to clear. The chances kept coming for Spain, Ramos missed twice and just when it looked like they might regret the spawned chances Puyol came to the rescue. Iniesta buzzed around at trhe byline and forced a corner, Zavi fired over an outswinging cross and Puyol drifted in and rose high to head the ball powerfully into the net.
Germany woke up and were forced to finally push forward, substitute Kroos looked lively and from his free kick Klose had a sniff but Casillas made a clean catch. Villa having a quiet game by his standards was through on the Germany defence but Friedrich made a strong tackle. Spain took a big gamble and brought on Torres for Villa, Pedro should have gifted him a goal but tried to go it alone. As the clock ticked down Torres had a good chance but Friedrich was there again and the whistle signalled a first World Cup final for Spain.
