World Cup 2010: Del Bosque already focused on final

Highlights - Germany 0-1 Spain

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque urged his players to go on and win the World Cup final only moments after their 1-0 semi-final victory against Germany.

Carles Puyol's second-half header put Spain in the final for the first time and Del Bosque is already focused on beating Netherlands on Sunday.

He said: "Our players carried out their job in a magnificent way.

"But let's think about the game in front of us. We're in good shape physically - let's try to win."

Puyol grabbed the winner in the 73rd minute, powering home an unstoppable header from Xavi's pin-point corner.

It was just reward for arguably Spain's best performance of the tournament so far, one which saw them control possession for large periods and restrict Germany - who had been prolific in attack in the lead up to the last-four clash - to only a handful of half chances.

606: DEBATE Watching their national team play, it's no wonder the best in the business from all over the world choose to play in Spain U14281003

In the end, Spain had 13 attempts to Germany's five, and Del Bosque said: "From defence through to attack I think we played a great game."

Those sentiments were echoed by leading striker David Villa.

Villa is top of the World Cup scoring charts with five goals - and Puyol's strike against Germany was in fact the first of La Furia Roja's seven goals that Villa did not either score or create.

And he says Spain must now go on and add the world title to their Euro 2008 triumph.

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

"The group deserves this but we want more. We are happy to be in the final, that was our objective, but now we want to be champions."

But Spain defender Gerard Pique insisted his side face a tough match against the Dutch in Johannesburg.

The Barcelona centre-back produced a fine performance alongside Puyol to keep Germany at bay in Durban, but asked if his team should be worried about Netherlands in the final, he told BBC Five Live: "Yes, of course.

"The Netherlands have a lot of good players - [Arjen] Robben, [Robin] Van Persie, [Wesley] Sneijder - and we have to try to stop them.

"But at the same time we need to play our game, to pass the ball around like we know we can, and create chances.

"Sometimes we can overplay it, and we don't shoot on goal enough. But I think that at the moment we are on a great run and if the opposition do not score, one goal is enough to win the game."

Puyol puts Spain in World Cup final

Puyol puts Spain in World Cup final

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Carles Puyol is the hero as Spain beat Germany 1-0 to make their first ever World Cup final, where they will face the Netherlands.

Paraguay 0-1 Spain

David Villa snatched a late winner to book Spain's first appearance in a World Cup semi-final as they beat Paraguay in a largely disappointing quarter-final tie that nonetheless boasted moments of incredible drama.

Villa's goal after 82 minutes - his fifth of the tournament- struck one post, rolled across the goal-line and hit the other, before finally nestling in the net and came seconds after substitute Pedro had also hit the woodwork.

It was heartbreaking for a Paraguay side that had never reached the quarter-final stage before, and who earlier wasted a superb chance to take the lead when Oscar Cardozo's spot-kick was saved by Iker Casillas.

That came after 57 minutes - and before the tie reached the hour mark Spain had also been awarded a penalty by referee Carlos Batres.

In a truly remarkable passage of play, Xabi Alonso scored his first effort but the retake, which came because Spanish players encroached into the area, was saved.

Goalkeeper Justo Villar then appeared to foul Cesc Fabregas as he scrambled to collect the rebound but a third penalty award was not forthcoming, while Sergio Ramos pounced on the loose ball but his shot was blocked on the line.

In truth, it was a brief flurry of excitement that was largely out of kilter during a game that saw relatively few other opportunities.

Spain may have reached a World Cup semi-final for the first time - their fourth place in 1950 was after a round-robin stage - but they will surely need to improve if they are to defeat in-form Germany in Durban on Wednesday.

Their famed passing game was largely absent, while the out-of-form Fernando Torres was withdrawn after 56 minutes.

Paraguay started at a decent pace, certainly settling much quicker than Spain, and created some promising openings.

Jonathan Santana forced a saved with a low strike inside 60 seconds, while Spain consistently struggled to deal with crosses from wide areas.

Sunderland-bound Cristian Riveros headed wide, while Antolin Alcaraz and Santana both peeled away from their markers with far too much ease but could not quite make the decisive contact.

Nelson Valdez, one of six changes from the side that defeated Japan in Pretoria, slotted home from close range shortly before the break but the effort was ruled out by a marginal offside decision.

The Borussia Dortmund forward certainly appeared to be onside but there was a doubt over Cardozo, who attempted but failed to head the cross that eventually fell to Valdez.

At one point Spain looked as though they were starting to gain a measure of control in midfield but Paraguay, who would have topped South America's World Cup qualifying group if they had won their final game, slowed the match down at every opportunity.

Gerardo Martino's team also worked extremely hard to thwart Spain's passing game and looked extremely dangerous on the counter, with the lively Valdez wasting a decent position with an atrocious shot just before the interval after a sharp break.

Xavi went close for Spain with one piece of brilliance, deftly flicking the ball up with one touch before shooting on the turn in a manner reminiscent of a goal Thierry Henry once scored for Arsenal.

However, the midfielder's shot flew narrowly over and it was a slightly disjointed and frustrated Spain that left the field to regroup at the break.

The tie exploded into life with the back-to-back penalties and all the shenanigans that surrounded them.

There was little doubt that Gerard Pique fouled Cardozo for the first when he clung onto the Benfica forward, but the Paraguayan's subsequent penalty was struck at a good height for Casillas.

From the very next attack Alcaraz was adjudged to have brought down Villa, with Alonso comfortably slotting home first time around.

Replays did suggest referee Batres was correct to order a retake - and the prayers of Valdez, who was on his knees just outside the penalty box, were answered when Alonso saw his effort saved and Spain failed to score.

But there was nothing Valdez could do to prevent the prolific Villa from equalling Emilio Butragueno's Spanish record of five goals at a World Cup finals, which was set in 1986.

Villar saved from Iniesta shortly after Spain's goal, but Paraguay did have a chance to equalise late on only for Casillas to block substitute Roque Santa Cruz's effort.

The Paraguay keeper denied Villa as Spain threatened on the break in the final seconds but a second goal would have been harsh on the South American side, who conceded just twice in their five games in South Africa.

World Cup 2010: Radomir Antic punished for ref outburst

Highlights - Australia 2-1 Serbia

Serbia coach Radomir Antic has been given a four-match ban for dissent during his side's World Cup last-16 defeat by Australia.

Antic was angry that referee Jorge Larrionda denied Serbia a penalty late on in his side's 2-1 loss when the ball appeared to hit Tim Cahill's hand.

On top of the ban, 61-year-old Ancic was fined 14,000 Swiss francs (£8,755).

The Serbian football federation issued a statement criticising the decision and stating its intention to appeal.

"The FSS is surprised by the harshness of this measure and will use all judicial measures to complain to [world football's governing body] Fifa," the statement added.

Serbia beat Germany in group stage but failed to qualify for the last 16 after losing to Ghana and Australia.

Patrick Vieira to focus on Manchester City not France

Vieira helps France win the World Cup in 98'

Patrick Vieira has insisted he is not interested in trying to regain his place in the France squad.

The Manchester City midfielder, 34, was not selected for the World Cup but was a member of the triumphant 1998 squad.

And with Raymond Domenech replaced by Laurent Blanc as manager following France's poor showing in South Africa Vieira could have won a recall.

But he told the club's website: "My target in the next few years is City. I want to do my best for the club."

Vieira failed to make Domench's initial 30-man squad for the World Cup and then watched as a spectator as the final group of 23 drew their opener against Uruguay before losses to Mexico and South Africa saw them eliminated at the earliest stage.

France's campaign was also marred by infighting, with Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka sent home after refusing to apologise for verbally abusing Domenech, with the squad subsequently boycotting a training session by way of protest.

And while Blanc, a former international team-mate of Vieira, has stated that some of the current squad members might not be reselected, Vieira has little intention of filling any vacancy that might occur.

Having only joined City in January, becoming Roberto Mancini's first signing in the process, Vieira indicated he is keen to repay the faith the management displayed in recently offering him a one-year contract extension.

"My focus is on City, nothing else," he added.

"I want to repay the trust of the manager, [football administrator] Brian Marwood and [chief executive] Garry Cook."

606: DEBATE I think we will have the capacity to potentially field two teams, and really should be winning silverware in the coming season BlackleyBlue

Twice a Premier League and FA Cup double winner with Arsenal, Vieira made 13 appearances for City last season, though only eight as starts, and will face further competition for a place at the heart of the midfield next season following the acquisition of Yaya Toure from Barcelona for £24m.

At international level, as well as helping France win the World Cup on home soil in 1998, he played in the 2006 final as they lost to Italy and the final of Euro 2000 where they beat the same opposition 2-1.

However, although selected for Euro 2008 he failed to get on the pitch because of injury and his last international appearance came as captain against Nigeria in June last year in a match they lost 1-0.

World Cup 2010: Lukas Podolski eyes revenge over Spain

GERMANY v SPAIN Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban Date: Web, 7 July Kick-off: 1930 BST Coverage: Live on BBC1 and BBC Radio 5 live | Highlights on BBC1 (2351) and BBC red button | Full repeat on BBC3 (0145 BST). Plus watch live, listen live, follow live text commentary and watch in-game highlights on this website. Your World Cup semi-finalists Striker Lukas Podolski feels Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Spain is a chance for Germany to avenge their Euro 2008 final defeat. A Fernando Torres goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over the Germans in the European showpiece in Vienna two years ago. "We still think about that defeat and it still hurts," said Podolski. "We want revenge for 2008. "When you are in a final you want to win. Now we want to reach the final and we'll do all we can to achieve that." While Spain's side still contains many of the players from their successful Euro 2008 campaign, Germany are much changed in both personnel and style. Miroslav Klose - World Cup goal machine Talented youngsters such as midfielder Mesut Ozil, striker Thomas Mueller and defensive midfielder Sami Khedira have come in to form a more attacking side than two years ago, that has already secured impressive wins over England (4-1 in the last 16) and Argentina (4-0 in the quarter-finals). Germany coach Joachim Loew admitted his side had improved, telling reporters: "Two years later for us there are many changes while the Spaniards are similar. "We have made progress in the style of football we play and the results we get. "We were not as consistent and our quality was not as good. Now our combination is much better as is our flowing game." It is a view shared by Loew's opposite number Vicente del Bosque, who took over as Spain national coach after their Euro 2008 triumph. 606: DEBATE Who will win the World Cup semi-finals? Ted - PLT "They have undertaken a renewal with an important base of young players. They have conserved their values and added players of technical quality. They make a good mix," Del Bosque said. However, Loew is not naive to the threat posed by Spain, a team he has described as possessing a number of players at the level of Argentina's World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi. "Spain remain the natural World Cup favourites," the Germany coach reflected. "They not only have one Messi, but they have several Messis - they have a whole range of players that can win a game. "They are a team that make very few mistakes, so we will have to be very watchful against them." He picked out Barcelona midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta as key opponents to watch out, but he believes Germany will be able to stop them. "They've played together for a long time at Barcelona, that's what makes the difference," Loew added. "But if we get on top of them and put them under pressure as we did with Messi, that will be the key to the match." Loew has stressed that if his side play to their potential they are more than capable of beating Spain and advancing to the final, where they would face the Netherlands in a repeat of the 1974 World Cup finale. "In 2008, there is no doubt that Spain were the best team at the tournament," explained Loew. Klose scores second to make it 4-0 Germany "But now the situation is different. We too have a good team and we have every reason to believe that we can succeed. "We're playing in such a way that we could dominate anyone. We can dominate a match for 90 minutes, whether technically or physically." Loew believes he will have all his players fit and available for the game except 20-year-old Bayern Munich forward Mueller, who is suspended. The coach admitted that the absence of Mueller, the tournament's joint-second top scorer with four goals, would be a blow to his team but he has confidence that others can take Bayern star's place. "I always knew he had this freedom in his play, he knows how to be dangerous, he has this instinct," commented Loew. "He's given us a lot, his suspension is a tough blow but I have faith in the players who can replace him. "They're in good form but they haven't played a lot. It's tough to replace him but Cacau, Piotr Trochowski and [Toni] Kroos can do it." You have to go back 20 years to a see as strong a German side as this, playing so well - when we won the title in 1990 Franz Beckenbauer One element of his side that has especially pleased Loew is his backline, marshalled expertly by centre-backs Per Metersacker and Arne Friedrich. And it is the form of Friedrich, who has just moved to Wolfsburg following Hertha Berlin's relegation from the Bundesliga at the end of the 2009-10 season, that has particularly impressed Loew. "They were almost perfect against Argentina, they had good organisation, they didn't make any mistakes in their individual battles," Loew pointed out. "Friedrich showed straight away that Berlin's poor season hasn't affected him. The whole team is defending well." Former World Cup-winning captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer is confident that Germany can land a fourth world title in Johannesburg on Sunday. "The way they play, their style, is fantastic. Everybody on the move, wanting the ball - the team spirit is tremendous," said Beckenbauer, who identified midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger as the best player at the World Cup. WORLD CUP PHOTO ALBUM Do you have a photo with yourself and a star from Germany? Send us your photos to finish our World Cup Photo Album! "Nobody in Germany expected to see them play so well. The players deserve this. You have to go back 20 years to see as strong a German side as this, playing so well - when we won the title in 1990. "This is historic - you can always count on Germany. We do not have players such as Pele, but there is this sense of being ready to fight, tactical awareness and also the capacity to concentrate to the maximum for the World Cup." Three-time winners Germany have arguably been the most impressive team in South Africa so far - scoring 13 goals, including four apiece against England and Argentina - and Podolski feels a continuation of such form will see them into the final. "If we continue to play as we did against England and Argentina, I think we stand a good chance against Spain," stated Podolski. "It will be a tight one, but we all hope and are confident we can win it." HIGHLIGHTS OF ROUTE TO SEMI-FINALS (UK ONLY) Group stage

World Cup 2010: Tabarez proud despite Uruguay defeat

Highlights - Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said he was proud of his side's World Cup performance despite their 3-2 semi-final defeat by the Netherlands.

Uruguay exceeded all expectations after having to beat Costa Rica in a play-off to book their place in the finals.

"I'm proud of the team. They've played on an equal footing with the Netherlands. You couldn't ask for more from these players," said Tabarez.

"We went very far, no one expected it, so that helps the sadness of defeat."

Uruguay's appearance in the semi-final in Cape Town was their first in the last four of a World Cup since 1970 - after winning the tournament in 1930 and 1950.

In a first-half lacking in excitement, the Netherlands took the lead when Giovanni van Bronckhorst lashed in, only for Diego Forlan to level from long range.

From the first minute Forlan had a problem. I'm not dumb enough to take him out at 3-1 when the match wasn't lost Oscar Tabarez

Wesley Sneijder restored the Dutch side's lead despite Robin van Persie appearing to be offside, and an Arjen Robben header made it 3-1 three minutes later.

However, Maxi Pereira reduced the deficit to 3-2 to set up a tense finish, and their fighting qualities pleased their coach.

"If we had to choose a way to lose it would have been this way," added Tabarez.

"We accept the defeat, our rivals were better in front of goal.

"I knew the Dutch footballers were rich technically, who could score at any moment.

Forlan's swerving equaliser deceives Dutch keeper

"Now we have seen the second goal was offside and the match could have been different for us... They gained in composure.

"The Dutch team has an attacking spirit, one of the best in this tournament but we never gave up and our last stoppage time goal showed we were trying until the end."

At 3-1 down the Uruguay coach surprisingly substituted captain and top scorer Forlan.

"From the first minute he had a problem. I'm not dumb enough to take him out at 3-1 when the match wasn't lost," explained Tabarez.

"He was injured and could not continue."

Late Pereira strike sets up grand finale

Tabarez will need to pick his side up for Saturday's third-place play-off match in Port Elizabeth against the team which loses the second semi-final, between Spain and Germany on Wednesday.

"Saturday's match is important to us in that sense," stated Tabarez.

"When we look back, we can say we are among the four semi-finalists, the other three are powerhouses of Europe."