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      And now the Spanish have the biggest prize of all within their
sights.


      Spain will play for the World Cup title for the very first time,
thanks to Carles Puyol's goal on a powerful header in the second
half Wednesday night. The 1-0 victory was the exact same score as
the European Championship final two years ago, which Spain won to
end a 44-year major title drought.


      But while the European title is nice, nothing compares to being
the world champ.


      "This is one of the greatest moments for Spain, for us to be in
the final of the World Cup, it's history," said David Villa, who
remains tied with the Netherlands Wesley Sneijder for tournament
scoring leader at five goals. "And we want to make more history in
the final."


      Spain will play the Netherlands in Sunday's final at Soccer City
in Johannesburg, ensuring a first-time champion. The Dutch, who
beat Uruguay on Tuesday night, have lost in their only two trips to
the final. The two teams have never met in the World Cup.


      When the final whistle sounded, the Spanish players on the field
thrust their arms in the air while the substitutes raced onto the
field. Their smiles were so bright they could be seen all the way
to the top of the stadium in Durban, their roars of elation almost
loud enough to drown out the blare of those vuvuzelas. Two
teammates grabbed Villa, who has scored all but two of Spain's
goals here, and carried him on their shoulders.


      For Germany, it's yet another disappointment. The three-time
champs were making their third straight trip to the World Cup
semifinals. Yet just like in 2006, they are headed for the
third-place game.


      The Germans retooled their team after the Euros loss in Vienna,
bringing in youngsters such as Mesut Oezil, Sami Khedira and
goal-scoring machine Thomas Mueller, who was suspended after
picking up a second yellow card in the quarters. But the Germans
looked as if they were back in Vienna for much of the night,
allowing big, bad Spain to dominate again.


      Captain Philipp Lahm was in tears as he watched Spain celebrate.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was on his knees for several minutes, and
not even a consoling pat on the back from Puyol helped.


      Spain has been the best in Europe - all the world, really - for
much of the last four years. It's lost all of two games since
November 2006, one a shocker to Switzerland in the group-stage
opener, and that longevity makes for seamless and fluid play that
is usually breathtaking.


      Injuries had taken a toll on the Spanish in South Africa, and
they didn't have anywhere near their usual polish. Fernando Torres,
who can be devastating offensively, is still struggling to recover
from knee surgery in April, and was dropped from the starting
lineup Wednesday night. Cesc Fabregas played all of two games
before the World Cup after breaking a bone in his leg in March.


      But with the World Cup title so close - not to mention Queen
Sofia watching - the Spanish came through with their best game yet.


      "We worked hard to get here and now we have made the final,"
Villa said. "It's a great thing."

      Spain dominated possession the entire game, and it peppered
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer so many times it seemed inevitable
the Spanish would eventually score.


      Finally, they did, setting off celebrations from Durban to
Madrid.


      Xavi swung a corner kick right into the scrum in front of Neuer
in the 73rd minute. With fellow defender - and Barcelona teammate -
Gerard Pique next to him and screening Neuer's view, Puyol leaped
up and got the ball. He gave one mighty swing of his head, his long
curls flying. Neuer dove to his left, but had no chance to stop the
ball as it thundered into the net.


      The Spanish players gathered for a group hug at the edge of the
box, bouncing up and down and rubbing each other's heads as Lukas
Podolski barked at his teammates in frustration.
      

Gallery

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Sports

Carles Puyol powered in a header in
the 73rd minute Wednesday to send Spain to its first World Cup
final with a 1-0 win over Germany.

Spain beats Germany; World Cup final match set

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