The second game of the semifinals was between Spain and Germany.
It was a rematch of the epic Euro 2008 Final match, which Spain won 1-0 to claim their second ever European Championship.
The Spaniards quickly from the start mesmerizingly controlled the game, and were incredibly patient in their efforts to find the perfect opportunity on goal.
But the German defense was up to task, and not much in terms of offense was created in the first half.
Spanish striker David Villa had an early chance when he ran through the defense and put a shot on goal, but Manuel Neuer came out to block the shot well.
Germany had their first real chance of the match when Mesut Ozil was through on goal, before Spanish defender Sergio Ramos clipped him in the box. However the Hungarian referee Victor Kassai decided to wave play on.
Into the second half the game went, and again Spain were up to their old tricks, constantly forcing the Germans to chase the ball in their own half.
But the tough German defense didnt allow the Spaniards much space as they advanced toward goal.
Spain had their best chance of the match to that point in the 58th minute when a one-two played by defender Joan Capdevila opened up space on the left side of the box. Capdevila centered in to Pedro, whose shot was well saved by Neuer. But the rebound went to David Villa, who passed to Xabi Alonso. Alonso gave a beautiful back heel pass to Iniesta, who raced in on goal, and gave a pass across the box, but no teammate could reach it.
In the 69th minute, Germany attacked the Spanish end of the field on a fast counter attack. Podolski crossed into the middle from the left, and the youngster Toni Kroos got on the end of the cross and hit a low shot towards goal. But Iker Casillias did well to dive to his left, and parry the shot away.
Spain finally had their breakthrough in the 73rd minute, when an unmarked Carles Puyol leapt high and powered a header off a corner into the back of the goal.
Puyol was probably the least likely to get a head onto a corner kick due to his standing at just 5'10'', but he jumped well and gave Spain the deserved 1-0 lead.
Germany, now down a goal, began to really press forward, which kept them opened at the back.
Defender Arne Fredrich did well to stop David Villa on a one on one chance in their part of the field. A few minutes later, Xavi put Pedro and Fernando Torres through on goal. It was a two on one opportunity, but Pedro completely botched it, when he failed to pass to a wide open Torres to his left.
The last few minutes of the match were a mad scramble by Germany, desperate for a goal, but it was not their day.
Spain held on to win 1-0 and seal their place in their first ever World Cup final.
"We're delighted about the win, which we deserved," said man of the match Xavi Hernandez. "The team did a great job, we put our stamp on the game, we dominated Germany, especially in the second half. We felt good out there and controlled the ball. Added to that, we were lucky enough to get the goal from the corner for Puyol. Spain deserved the win and we showed our personality out there."
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