Germany 0-1 Spain
Goals~ ESP: Puyol'73
MATCH SUMMARY
# Man of the Match: Pedro - The Barcelona forward was picked ahead of Fernando Torres and justified the decision with a lively start. His mazy runs and slick interplay caused the German defence multiple problems and he maintained that level throughout the match. When Spain eventually made a change in attack it was David Villa that went off, not the 22-year-old.
Note: Official MOM - Xavi (Spain)
# Germany verdict: Joachim Low's side couldn't get their game going early on as Spain pressed high up the pitch and the absence of the suspended Thomas Muller deprived them of width on the right. Although the Germans happily surrendered possession they maintained a threat on the counter-attack, but after the break they lost that threat. Low tinkered with his team to try and find a spark but were reduced to hopeful punts into the box as time ticked away.
# Spain verdict: Vicente Del Bosque's decision to finally drop Torres initially seemed to hamper Spain as the change meant goal-machine David Villa had to abandon his normal tactic of cutting in from the left and instead led the line. After the break Del Bosque got it right as his team upped the tempo and began to carve through Germany. It was only a matter of time before they got the goal their slick possession football deserved. However, when it came it was from a corner - Carles Puyol heading in after 73 minutes - not from open play. But another 1-0 win will do.
# Could do better: Piotr Trochowski - The Hamburg SV midfielder was unable to fill the rather large boots of Muller, refused stay out wide and deprived the Germans of their safety valve. He couldn't really get into the game and was replaced by Toni Kroos after 62 minutes as Germany looked to get something going.
# Stat attack: Since the statistic was first tracked starting in 1966, Spain have now become only the third team to complete 3,000 passes at a single World Cup. (Brazil, 1994 & Netherlands, 1998)
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