Match Review & Highlights: Spain 1 – Germany 0

July 7th, 2010 | by: chris |

SOCCER-WORLD/

It's like deja vu all over again: Spain 1 – Germany 0.

Paul the Octopus got it right once again, picking Spain and sending the German romantics crashing out of the World Cup…at least until Saturday, when they’ll play Uruguay in their second straight consolation game. (Must be cruel by now.)

And if Paul nailed it by saying the most technically gifted team would win on a solitary goal from the head of Carles Puyol…well, we promise not to eat him.

The first half of this game was arguably the best 45 minutes we’ve seen on the international level in the last four years. It was, to the casual observer, boring, tense, slow and rather unproductive. But in truth, it was a chess game being played by two grandmasters; an entrancing show of tactical nous and footballing intelligence – from the players and coaches alike – you come to expect from the stage of a World Cup semifinal (fancy that). It was almost so good they should’ve called it quits after the first half.

Germany would probably be okay with that.

The breakthrough came when a flying Carles broke through the barrier of bodies, including his friend Pique, to crash a header past Manuel Neuer into the back of the net just past the hour mark.

From there, the predictable happened: Germany pushed numbers, Spain held and countered on occasion – they, like Serbia with Germany chasing, probably could’ve and should’ve had three – but ultimately it was Euro 2008 all over again with a 1-0 final score.

Both teams were tactically and defensively outstanding, countering not only overall tactics, but each little individual matchup between players. All 22 should be properly proud of how they played – almost to a man an intellectual cut above most teams this tournament – giving us, perhaps for the first time this World Cup, a game played at such a high level on both sides.

And they said this should’ve been the final. No disrepect to the Dutch, but that’s probably true. I want this game framed, on my wall, and I wouldn’t sell it for anything less than Picasso money.

- Are you a Spain fan who wants to be in South Africa for the final? Read our Spain World Cup Travel & Ticket package page for more information.

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

http://twitter.com/mll2k3 Matt Lodge

This front page really doesn't like the dutch, does it?
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/AID66HWWHOJQC7EZA4KI7EUDHM shiva

why did loew not put on marko marin for the final 15 mins instead of gomez….atleast he would have run at them directly….so much hurt i am crying
http://www.worldcupblog.org chris

On the contrary, I love Dutch football. Doesn't make van Bommel any more palatable or Robben any less funny.
http://twitter.com/mll2k3 Matt Lodge

Just seems like a lot of vitriol towards the dutch on the front page.
Baron_Rojo_NY

Tomorrow's lunch menu in Germany: Octopus Soup
brentonwalters

Agreed, that was a superbly played first half.
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/KIPDL2QROF5YHWTDTYQVQXLKUQ David

Wow, both Germany and Spain seemed like different teams in this match. I think Spain played good defense but I also thought Germany was trying to force the ball around Spanish crowds when Spain was leaving the other side of the pitch open and Germany did not cross the ball or switched sides with long balls thus they sucumbed to the Spain's press. Nonetheless, a good well fought game. Lookinhg forward to a good finale.
http://japan.worldcupblog.org/ Aidan

Fascinating match indeed.

Germany were unable to play as they could against England and Argentina thanks to Spain's possession tici taca but they still created their chances. But Spain simply don't allow the tempo of the match to be dictated to them – they take control with their possession even against as good an opponent as Germany.

Well done Germany for getting this far and entertaining us all so well, but Spain are a level above right now. As for the final? I suspect that Spain will dominate the tempo as they did tonight, but that's not to say that the Dutch can't hurt them too. Can't wait!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Piotr-Fraczek/1436150814 Piotr Fraczek

Although it was a low scoring game it was definitely a classic game – two very talented teams with different strategies clashing for their right to play in a final. The game was tense with a lot of mid field play (at least in the 1st half). There were some potentially dangerous break-aways by the Spanish that made the last moments very fun. The styles of play were very defined with clear strategies and perfect execution of their tactics (well, less Pedro's selfish raid to the goal in 2nd half). If you have not seen the game, watch it — a superb tactical and clean game with few fouls and lots of uninterrupted play. IMHO, this was truly a WC quality game.
dye_go

It was a well played game indeed. This didn't make for a very entertaining game because both teams were almost TOO good. They were too well matched and nobody made many mistakes. I'm glad Spain won in the end, personally.
oskardevarsovie

Well, I don't think it'd be fair if Germany advanced. They played like Switzerland in the first game – but thankfully they lost. Spain's dominance was unquestionable and it was exhilarating to watch as they passed the ball around. Of course German defense was good – but so was Paraguay's (and Paraguay's strategy and play was actually better than the Germans') Also, the game showed what I suspected – that the German tactic works only if they score first, and quickly – hence the results.

For me the biggest surprise was Pedro's play. I hoped for Silva's appearance in the starting lineup, but Pedro was superb and Messi-like at times. Of course save the counterattack when his behavior was abominable. He could be the next great player, though
Bense235

No bitter feelings. It came down to day shape, and this day, Spain was the better and also luckier team. Germany gained respect and fans in the world, and this team is only at it's starting point, not at it's end.

I could have never pictured myself doing that before, but I'm cheering for the Dutch now. Not because Spain beated us, but because after all of that footballing history, the Netherlands have finally deserved a title.
netsez

The Italy-Germany semi final in 2006 was MUCH BETTER!
Bense235

The game didn't become an instant classic. But whatever. It was WC semi-final. Four years from now, we will be able to put it into perspective. Four years ago, In was devastated by our semi-final loss. Now, I'm more than happy, glad and looking onwards.
http://allthingsephesians.wordpress.com/ James Gregory

I just can't find it within myself to agree with this blog post. The game was boring. It was not a game of the highest level of performance. Neither team did well to put shots on target. Most of their shots were wide. Really, we should call that kind of performance the best ever in the 2010 World Cup? Spain's passing was typical–crisp and abundant. But the first half of the game Germany was not doing well. They were lackadaisical for one, and their counterattack was lacking in energy. The second half picked up once Puyol scored, but prior to that I would not say that the game was technically well executed.
JoseJosue

You need to start understanding football, not just watching it.
StefEsquero

Listen up, those who couldn't appreciate this game do not know what they're talking about!

It was a wonderful display of football from Spain, and although they only won 1-0, Germany were never in the game for a single minute. The Germans have based much of their success thus far on a quick counter-attacking game with some slick interplay between Klose and his support Muller and Podolski. That game simply didn't work against Spain who are so magnificent at controlling the ball they don't lose shape and force Germany to live off scraps.

End result: Podolski looked lost having to play almost as a genuin left winger, instead of a left forward role he has been allowed to assume before, the Germans were frustrated with the scraps they got and couldn't control the ball themselves. Finally, Spain dominated possession and the likes of Xavi, Alonso and Iniesta were at their very best.

We've now seen just how good Spain are. . . Germany are a very good team remember?
http://www.leapadaptive.com/ The Dragon Fly

When night time in Thailand. Live at the World Cup between Germany and Spain at 1:30 am we were waiting for more competitive battle of two teams. After the game ended. Results showed that Germany lost to Spain. We almost resulted in insomnia. It must be all right in the heart of the team to dominate the Champions Cup. But Germany still to do is follow our favorite team.
Your green Architect from (vacation) Thailand http://www.leapadaptive.com/