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Spaniards beat Germans to World Cup finals
Lukas Podolski was on the post but he too was helpless. Spain are 1-0 up with 17 minutes remaining.
A second half goal from Carles Puyol sent Spain into their first World Cup final on Wednesday, securing a 1-0 win over three-times champions Germany.
Spain will now meet twice-finalists Holland in Sunday's final at Soccer City in Johannesburg, guaranteeing a new name on the trophy.
The finalists have never previously met at a World Cup.Veteran centre back Puyol settled the encounter at the Durban Stadium with a towering header in the 73rd minute following a Xavi corner on the left, giving German keeper Manuel Neuer no chance.
Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque had sprung a surprise before kick-off by dropping out-of-form Liverpool forward Fernando Torres and replacing him with Barcelona youngster Pedro.
That move allowed tournament top scorer David Villa to play through the middle - though Torres did come on for Villa in the closing stages.
The Spaniards' previous best finish at the World Cup was fourth place in 1950, but will now have the opportunity to win their second major title in three years.
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