Puyol header launches Spain into first World Cup final

DURBAN, South Africa (AP):

Carles Puyol soared high to head in the goal that sent Spain into the World Cup final for the first time with a 1-0 win over Germany yesterday.

In a rematch of the 2008 European Championship final that Spain won by the same score, Puyol's powerful header in the 73rd minute from Xavi Hernandez's corner kick finally gave Spain the lead after they dominated from the opening whistle.

"The group deserves this but we want more," said Spain striker David Villa, who is level with Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder with five goals as the tournament's top scorer. "We are happy to be in the final, that was our objective, but now we want to be champions."

Spain's best previous World Cup finish was fourth in 1950 when the final round consisted of a four-team group.

In Sunday's final at Soccer City, Spain will meet the Netherlands, which have also never won football's biggest trophy.

Spain controlled throughout with their precision passing game, playing just the way they hoped to, but had trouble finishing until Puyol's late strike.

At the final whistle, the veteran 32-year-old Puyol raised his arms in triumph as goalkeeper Iker Casillas jumped on the centre back's shoulders.

For much of the game, three-time champions Germany sat back and waited patiently to snuff out Spain's attack, hoping to launch a counter-attack that worked against England and Argentina, but rarely took off in Durban.

Germany sorely missed suspended winger Thomas Mueller, who had scored four goals so far and was often able to outsprint opponents.

"In the last two or three years, they have been one of the best and most united teams," Germany coach Joachim Loew said. "They circulate the ball well and we couldn't play the way we like to play.

"We had great plans but it didn't work out."

Loew seemed to think that Spain will also beat the Netherlands.

"They've won all the big games in the last year. It's a good team that has played together now for two or three years," the Germany coach said. "I am sure the Spanish can win any game because they are dominant and it's hard to contain their attack."

Spain, which had 13 shots on goal to Germany's five, had never beaten Germany at the World Cup in three previous attempts.

"From defence through to attack, I think we played a great game," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "We've got another game in front of us, let's see if we are able to control the ball. We're in good shape physically, so let's see if we can win."

At Euro 2008, Spain broke a 44-year major title drought and the team has lost only two games since November 2006 - the last coming in their World Cup opener against Switzerland.

"We've shown that in the big moments, we can grow even more," Villa said. "We should have scored more goals, but one from Puyol has put us in the final."

Germany will face Uruguay in the third-place match on Saturday in Port Elizabeth.

"Tomorrow, we'll have to try and encourage the team," Loew said. "Because there is one game left to play."