Durban: Spain defender Carles Puyol stepped up to become the unlikely hero in their 1-0 World Cup semi-final win against Germany on Wednesday in a team packed with talent such as David Villa and Andres Iniesta.
With the clock ticking towards added time in a tense encounter, the shaggy-haired centre back rose above the defence and crashed a 73rd-minute header into the net to send the European champions into Sunday's showpiece with Netherlands.
It was the 32-year-old's third international goal in his 89th appearance and puts Spain in their first World Cup final.
Top scorer
"Puyol the shark has taken us to the final," said his jubilant Barcelona teammate David Villa, who is joint top scorer at the tournament in South Africa with five goals, told reporters.
Puyol's all-round performance was "spectacular", Villa said while midfielder Xabi Alonso added: "There were 10 minutes where we were camped outside their penalty area but didn't score and then Puyol arrived like a young wild beast and scored."
Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who is a Barcelona fan, added his voice to the acclaim, telling Spanish radio: "What a leap, what a header by Puyol! He is superb."
Germany coach Joachim Loew criticised his team for not picking out Puyol's run into the area but acknowledged the "massive power" and "great determination" he demonstrated.
"This was a set piece and there's always a mistake if you concede a goal at a set piece," Loew said at a news conference.
"There were two of our defenders somewhere close and we should have anticipated the ball," he added.
"We didn't do that ... and Puyol approached us too quickly and thumped the ball in."
Pressure: Coping with top tag
Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso said the European champions are coping with the pressure of being favourites after reaching the World Cup final.
Spain beat Germany 1-0 here in the semi-finals on Wednesday to reach their first ever World Cup final, where the Netherlands await them.
And while Spain have not been spectacular in their progress, they have been ruthlessly efficient since suffering a shock 1-0 reverse against Switzerland in their opening group match of the tournament.
"We have been coping with the pressure quite well," said Alonso. "We knew the pressure would be quite high, but the favourite thing means nothing, you have to show that on the pitch. But we've been playing well and now we're in the final."
— AFP