Three-time World Cup winners Germany, playing arguably the most deliciously attractive football in their history, against first-time semi-finalists Spain, who for a while seemed to be on a one-country crusade to make the game beautiful again. There’s a lot to look forward to today, isn’t there?

On we go to the second semi-final to find out who will face the mighty Netherlands in Sunday’s World Cup showpiece occasion at Soccer City in Johannesburg, the place I’ve called home for the last month. Kick-off between Joachim Loew’s lads and Vicente del Bosque’s boys is at 1930 BST inside the equally stunning Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

I can’t go on without reminding you about Paul the psychic octopus’s prediction for tonight’s encounter. Dear Paul, remember, has successfully forecast all of Germany’s results in South Africa so far and on Tuesday, to the horror of the watching Deutschland public (who were presumably on tentacles), he plumped for Spain to triumph. Cue classic quote from Paul’s keeper, Oliver Walenciak: “Yeah, there are always some people who want to eat our octopus. But he’ll survive.” Haha.

Now then, don’t make me send the boys round. Sprechen sie deutche? Habla Espanol? Speako el lingo de football? Hit me, cos we’re rapido running out of areas. What I'm looking for is the stuff they mine a lot around here - GOLD:
I’m on Twitter @Stevo_football;
I’m textable on 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide);
And I’ve got the 606 pages in too.

You probably won't be surprised to learn that German chancellor Angela Merkel is predicting her brave boys to win 2-1 this evening. Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Berlin says ambassador Philip Murphy bet his counterpart in Madrid a case of German Riesling wine that Germany will win. The ambassador to Spain, Alan Solomont, bet a case of Spanish red wine that Vicente del Bosque's team will win. Don't wine if they do.

Of course the focus is largely on this evening's game, but feel free to have your say on events from Cape Town on Tuesday as the Netherlands saw off Uruguay to book their first final berth since the 1978 World Cup. Or the ticker-tape tournament, as some people like to refer to it. Here's a starter for 10: Mark van Bommel, thoughts?

Meanwhile, BBC sports editor David Bond has been mulling over the fact that the three teams left in the tournament are all from the same continent. "What historians will not be able to ignore here in South Africa is Europe's renaissance on the world stage."

If I may be so bold, perhaps the only thing this tournament is truly missing is one of those epic games that will forever live in the memory. You know, the ones that swing one way and then the other, you think someone's won and then the other hauls it back. I’m thinking Italy 4-3 West Germany in 1970, Italy 3-2 Brazil in 1982, or Spain 4-3 Yugoslavia in Euro 2000. It’s not too late yet, though. Is it, universe?

Also in the World Cup news on this, the day they've already dubbed 'Matchday 23': Diego Maradona must decide whether he wants to continue as Argentina boss; Jim Beglin has an ear infection; and leading Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf simply led with "FINAL" this morning. Who against, though, De Telegraaf? That's what we want to know.

In a bid to match Paul the psychic octopus and his eerie predos, I've attempted to first raise my game and then rely on my three-year-old nephew to bail me out. Neither worked, so tonight I'm going to rely completely on chance. Just before 19:00 BST, I will roll the random dice of internet fate to find out tonight's score and then let you know.

Why are you being so shy? Come on: the 606 debate is up and running, the text numbers 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide) are still working and I'm waiting for tweets @Stevo_football as well. Don't tell me you've got work to do all of a sudden. Give over.

Wondering what it’s like to support a World Cup finalist? Sounds like Museum Square in Amsterdam on Tuesday was very much the place to be. “My dad is always telling me about the great team of the 70s,” said one fan. “But now I know what it feels like to have my team in a World Cup final." As a Forest fan born in July 1980, I’m feeling that chat in all sorts of ways.

Um, (see 14:01) just to clarify: I'm glad you're all having such a great time with 6-6 and 6-5 scores on the random dice of internet fate, but only one roll will actually predict the score and that'll take place at the International Broadcast Centre in Johannesburg at 18:59 BST. Thanks for listening.

“What has changed is the mentality. After 44 years, Spain are now the European champions. This is showing now in this tournament with the team reaching the semi-final. The team now has momentum, but what the win in 2008 has done is give the team more confidence and they have matured as well."

By the way, the total stadium attendance for the 2010 World Cup will pass the three million mark in Durban this evening. So far, 2,997,000 people have attended the first 61 matches at an average of 49,134, with three games left to play.

“Germany have never before played like this. The way they play, their style, is fantastic. Everybody on the move, wanting the ball - the team spirit is tremendous. Nobody in Germany expected to see them play so well. This team shows the new face of Germany, thanks to some of the players who were not born in Germany but who have a German passport.”

News just in from Reuters agency: Inter Milan have no intention of listening to offers for playmaker Wesley Sneijder amid reported interest from Manchester United, club president Massimo Moratti has said.

And now the Press Association is reporting that Arsenal are on the verge of completing a £10m deal for French defender Laurent Koscielny from Lorient. Hey, clubs - can't you wait for the World Cup to end?! So disrespectful.

I bet when the great Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima rolled in his 15th and final World Cup goal to break Gerd Muller’s record against Ghana four years ago, he didn’t think that at the next tournament his milestone would be in danger of being overtaken. But that is what Germany striker Miroslav Klose, with 14 to his name, stands on the brink of at his third finals. As BBC blogger Paul Fletcher says, “the 32-year-old is now just a good day at the office away from becoming the tournament's all-time leading goalscorer.”

You know sometimes a change is as good as a rest. For the next couple of hours let Sam Lyon be your guide as we continue to count down to Germany v Spain in the 2010 World Cup. I'll see you in a bit. Auf wiedersehen, adios.

Hello, good afternoon and welcome people. With kick-off now less than four-and-a-half hours away, it is up to me - Sam Lyon - to chat you through a bit more build-up... please tell me I'm not the only one getting more excited than a six-year-old in a sweet shop?! Good. Didn't think so.

My first task, unfortunately, is to relay to you some reports we're receiving that flights into Durban airport have been badly delayed from all points around the country - meaning, at best, delays to plenty of fans attempting to get to this evening's Spain-Germany semi-final. No word, yet, whether any of this could mean a - dare I say it - decision to push back kick-off tonight, but all the latest as I get it as always. Fingers crossed all round, please.

Now then, why not take rshah619's example and get involved? The ways and means to you are three in number - Tweet me @sampatricklyon, text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide), or let the chat roam free on 606. You now have less than three days of World Cup action left upon which to have your say - don't let your big moment pass you by.

More on those delays at Durban airport, then, from our friends out and about in South Africa. The Daily Mail's Matt Lawton describes the scenes at DA as "absolute chaos", The Times' Matt Dickinson notes "more empty seats tonight would be terrible after Cape Town semi", Henry Winter of the Telegraph tells of "South Africans' first major transportation rick of the World Cup", while our own Gordon Farquhar concedes he and the others stranded at DA "probably won't make it for game". Perhaps they should have taken Paul Fletcher's lead and got the bus?

Anyway, for those fans lucky enough to actually make it to Durban to see tonight's match, it might just be a little spicy. Putting the undeniable quality of both outfits to one side for a moment - I wonder how Bastian Schweinsteiger feels about facing Germany's conquerors from the Euro 2008 final? The midfielder found himself in the midst of a Spanish conga after the game as he tried to hold himself together for the German press in the mixed zone - and he was not a happy bunny. This video is not hard to find on t'internet. Check it out.

A little update on the Durban Airport situation - following a two/three-hour delay, it is now being reported that around nine flights containing fans and press flying in for tonight's semi-final are now in the air - raising hopes they will make it in time. It's still touch and go mind...

So, it is all to play for tonight between Germany and Spain - but for the Netherlands, the hard part - for now at least - is done. The Oranje booked their place in the final with a 3-2 defeat of surprise-package Uruguay last night, and coach Bert van Marwijk has rewarded them with two days off. How nice. That means the squad are scheduled to hold their final training session on Saturday, the day before the final at Johannesburg's Soccer City. Fresh.

Of course, what we also now know for sure is that we will have another all-European final, regardless of whether Spain or Germany emerge triumphant this evening. The early round of matches suggested South Africa 2010 would be remembered for the dominance of South American football, but BBC Sports Editor David Bond's assessment now is that: "What historians will not be able to ignore here is Europe's renaissance on the world stage." Thoughts?

I won't wade into the South American football v European football debate (yet, anyway) but this really has been The Tournament Of Reinvention hasn't it? So much so I capitalised the first letter of each word. Oh yes. Germany are now the world's leading attacking unit, Brazil prize pragmatism over flair, the Netherlands are actually, you know, getting on with each other, Spain are shedding their 'chokers' tag in the least flamboyant fashion possible, and England are knocked out almost as quickly as they are billed as potential champions. All right, that last one's a bit same ol', same ol', but you get my point.

One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Argentina's adoration of Diego Maradona. The Bearded Badger may not have been able to lead the two-time winners past the last eight in his attempt to replicate his World Cup triumph of 1986, but they still love the little man in Buenos Aires et al. So much so that Juan Cabandie, an ally of President Cristina Kirchner, has suggested erecting a statue of El Diego in the nation's capital. I wonder if they'll cast his hand in the air?

What can we expect from tonight's match, then? Well, it's worth bearing in mind that while Germany have scored for fun - becoming the first team since Brazil in 1970 to score four or more in three World Cup matches - they have done so largely on the counter-attack. Against Argentina and England they had less possession than either of their opponents - but converted eight of their 13 chances.

You have to wonder, therefore, whether Spain's approach might - in theory - play into Germany's hands, given Die Mannschaft's brilliance on the counter? Vicente del Bosque's outfit are widely regarded as the world's leading pass-masters, and with Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, David Villa (etc etc) in their XI it's not hard to see why, but La Furia Roja have hardly hit their straps yet have they? That said, our very own Gary Lineker reckons Germany just won't be able to excel three games on the trot. Argue the toss on that one, why don't you.

And what will be the impact of Thomas Mueller's absence because of suspension for Germany? So meteoric has the Bayern forward's rise been that the 20-year-old is now absolutely key to Joachim Loew's team. Proof? Our friend OptaJoe tells us he has been involved in seven of Germany's 13 goals at this tournament with four goals and three assists. Can Cacau, Piotr Trochowski or Mario Gomez step up as his replacement?

"Thomas (Mueller)'s absence is a little link in the chain missing and he has been outstanding. (But) the team have reacted admirably whenever key players have been missing."

Spain have their own selection dilemma tonight too, of course. Who would've thought we'd be saying this before the tournament started, but Fernando Torres is far from sure of his place, so poor has his form thus far been. His most likely replacement should he be dropped would appear to be Cesc Fabregas - who himself has only just been cleared to play after an injury to his right leg - so Vicente del Bosque certainly has his work cut out.

By the way, if you're interested in warming up for tonight's gargantuan semi-final between Spain and Germany via the medium of video, check out our latest edition of World Football Focus, on which Manish Bhasin, John Motson and Mark Bright give their thoughts on the Durban showdown. You can watch that wherever you are in the world as well, which is nice.

Meanwhile, there's little doubting who the Netherlands supporters want to win through to Sunday's showpiece final - and it aint Spain (sorry Spain). "Bring on the Germans," one Dutch fan said. "They always seem to beat us but we want revenge. They are our biggest national rivals and to beat them in the final would be the best feeling in the world."

Tonight also sees the game-within-a-game of the race for the Golden Boot, lest we forget. Spain's David Villa, with five, and Germany's Miroslav Klose (four) will be aiming to get on the scoresheet and further their claims on that coveted prize - with only those two, Wesley Sneijder (five) of the Netherlands and Uruguay's Diego Forlan (four) left in the running in all likelihood. David Villa, by the way, has scored five and made the other of Spain's six goals in South Africa. One man team?

Re: 17:07, by the way, the winner of the Golden Boot is worked out thus: Whoever scores the most goals wins. If two or more players score the same number of goals, the number of assists (as determined by Fifa) will be decisive. Should two or more players be equal after this calculation, the player who has played the fewest minutes in the tournament wins. A Silver Boot and a Bronze Boot will also be awarded. Simples.

Right, with our man Jonathan Stevenson preparing to bring you all the latest team news and match action, there's just time for me to offer you my match prediction. Those of you who know me will testify to the fact that I have never ever been wrong (about anything) so offer a sportsman's bet to your friends of... dun dun dun...
Spain 1-3 Germany

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my time to hand you back to Johannesburg with Jonathan Stevenson - give him the chat you've been giving me and we're absolutely golden. You're all legends, here's hoping for a classic. See ya.

Sam, Sam, Sam, Sam, Sam (see 17:23). I thought we'd been through this before? I knew the punters would sucker you in. As I have said at 14:01 and was forced to repeat at 14:26, what will decide tonight's score is the random dice of internet fate. Jeez, is it so hard to understand?

Anyway, welcome back to Jo’burg. Outside, they are already starting to prepare the stadium and the area around it for the final of the 19th World Cup on Sunday. The Netherlands have already book their place at Soccer City, but there’s one still up for grabs. Germany or Spain? Germany, or Spain? Germany? Or Spain? The countdown continues.

I beg your pardon. If you could refresh your page, you're back with Jonathan Stevenson. You know that no countdown is complete without your wholehearted participation, don't you? I don’t ask for you to get involved for the sake of it, I genuinely want to hear from you. Ask my mum - I’m rubbish at lying. I await your texts to 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide), your tweets @Stevo_football and your comments on the 606 page as well. If mum’s busy, dad’d probably say the same, just with less interest.

Some early speculation on the teams is suggesting Spain may drop Fernando Torres this evening in favour of Barcelona's goalscoring machine Pedro. Full line-ups and chat as soon as we can confirm it.

"I think Germany are greatly improved since 2008. Their squad has undergone a renewal with important young players coming through but they have maintained the traditional values of German football. They have players of high quality with good technical skills."

Fernando Torres could yet be of use to Spain tonight, but I can't help but feel that's a very, very wise move from Vicente del Bosque, bringing in Pedro. The guy is not only a very good footballer but he knows where the back of the net is and gives them width to boot. I'm a fan, in case you hadn't noticed.

"After we lost the 2008 final we were all very disappointed, but you have to admit that Spain were clearly the best team in that tournament so they deserved to win the Euros. Two years on, we have made a lot of changes, Spain not so many. In this tournament, in terms of how we've been playing, we've clearly come on several steps since 2008."

My attempts at predicting have frankly been made to look every bit as amateurish as they are this tournament by the legendary figure of World Cup Motty. So what does the 10-time tournament wordsmith make of this one? “If Germany can contain David Villa in the way they contained Lionel Messi in the quarter-final, I think they can go through.” Consider me told.

Germany: 1-Manuel Neuer; 16-Philipp Lahm, 3-Arne Friedrich, 17-Per Mertesacker, 20-Jerome Boateng, 15-Piotr Trochowski, 6-Sami Khedira, 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 10-Lukas Podolski, 8-Mesut Ozil, 11-Miroslav Klose.
Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 3-Gerard Pique, 5-Carles Puyol, 11-Joan Capdevila; 14-Xabi Alonso, 8-Xavi, 6-Andres Iniesta, 16-Sergio Busquets; 18-Pedro, 7-David Villa.
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).

Our friends at Infostrada Sports have been successfully mining for gold yet again: On Tuesday, a team who had never won the World Cup knocked out one that had. This hadn't happened in the semifinals since 1958. If we ignore the first couple of World Cups, there has never been a World Cup where two former winners were knocked out by two non-winners at the semifinal stage. This is what needs to happen for Spain to make it into the final.

“We want revenge for 2008. When you are in a final you want to win. We still think about that defeat and it still hurts. We want to reach the final and we'll do all we can to achieve that.”

"Winning the European Championship was a very important moment for Spanish football and for the Spanish players. We are lucky to live this moment of history and it's a privilege for us."

One change apiece, then, as Spain drop striker Fernando Torres and replace him with Barcelona forward Pedro, while Germany bring in Piotr Trochowski on their right for the suspended Thomas Mueller.

Coming up: the random dice of internet fate roll. If you're bored of my chat, hit me with your own. Texts go to 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide), Tweets @Stevo_football and there's a 606 page too. What a big night for the greatest sport on earth this is.

Wiese, Jansen, Aogo, Tasci, Kiessling, Badstuber, Kroos, Cacau, Marin, Gomez, Butt.

Valdes, Albiol, Marchena, Torres, Fabregas, Mata, Arbeloa, Llorente, Javi Martinez, Silva, Jesus Navas, Reina.

Drumroll, please.

Germany 3-6 Spain
Sponsored by the random dice of internet fate

Spain captain Iker Casillas wants them to “make history” by beating Germany and reach the World Cup final. It would be history in many ways, too - not only La Furia Roja’s first, but it would be the first World Cup final without any of Argentina, Italy, Brazil or (West) Germany. Spain could also become the first Euro champions to reach the WC final since, ahem, West Germany in 1982.

These two countries are special. Germany’s turn: they are the first team in 40 years to score four-plus goals in three different World Cup games and they will play their 98th WC match tonight, breaking the record they share with Brazil. They have scored 203 goals so far, compared with Brazil’s 210. I know. They’ve smashed in 13 goals en route to the semi, with six different scorers. They’re electric.

Spain have not scored anything like the number of goals they were expected to - only six from five games, five of them from the right boot of David Villa. But they are second on the list of chances created, with 72 - Germany are behind with 68. Top creators-in-chief? Why the sublime Xavi of course on 18 and the young pretender Mesut Ozil on 17. Whoever ends tonight on top might just prove decisive.

This is getting seriously exciting. Germany, led by captain Philipp Lahm, and Spain, led by skipper Iker Casillas, walk out at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Ooh, let's not forget Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai, either. Anthem time.

Yep, that CD with the 32 World Cup national anthems definitely needs to be made. There's a gap in the market, I'm telling you. Do you think they'd let me write a message in the cover?

“We know we can play better than we have done so far and we hope to do that in the semi-final. I think it will be a good advert for football.”

“Spain remain the natural World Cup favourites. In the last two to three years they've been the most consistent team, they've always played and won the important matches. They not only have one Messi, but they have several Messis. They are a team that make very few mistakes, far fewer than the likes of England or Argentina and we will have to force them into making mistakes."

Lots of early possession for Spain, as you might expect, but Joan Capdevila's cross into the box sails way over David Villa's head and behind for a goalkick.

There's a pitch invader in Durban, so we have a little restart. "Someone's been drinking on an empty head," says Lawro.

Germany conceded more possession in their games against both England and Argentina, but they've barely had a kick so far in Durban. Patient stuff from the Spanish.

Brilliant pass forward from Pedro into the Germany box and David Villa is in behind Aren Friedrich, but he has to slide to get anything on the ball and Manuel Neuer races off his line to block. Good save. 

Germany have not started well - they are being put under so much pressure by Spain on the rare occasions they get hold of the ball. Cracking start from Vicente del Bosque's team.

Real chance. Spain play a corner short and then from the right Andres Iniesta fizzes a cross on to the head of his Barcelona captain Carles Puyol - but from eight yards, his diving header flies over the Germany bar. Only one team in it right now.

Oooh, Mesut Ozil swings over a corner from the Germany right and Iker Casillas only just feathers it away from a posse of German players waiting to head it in. Nearly got caught out there, the Spain keeper.

Xabi Alonso plays a glorious ball out to the right to Sergio Ramos, but from just outside the Germany area he totally wastes a good position by smashing a shot wide. Still all Spain in Durban.

A Spain attack breaks down and this is where Germany have countered with such devastating speed all World Cup, but this time Lukas Podolski's pass goes astray and Mesut Ozil isn't happy. Soon after Miroslav Klose tries to turn in the Spain box, but Carles Puyol gets back to challenge.

Germany knock it around at the back and I think this, with 26 minutes gone, is the first time they've been able to do that so far. But then Lukas Podolski mis-controls and Spain are back on the ball.

Lukas Podolski goes down after Sergio Ramos appears to tread on his left foot, the Spanish defender is maybe a bit lucky to get away without a yellow card there.

Perhaps just a first sign of slight frustration from Xabi Alonso as he slams a right-foot shot wide from 30 yards. It's Spain's fourth shot of the evening - Germany haven't had one yet. They usually only need one or two, though.

There they go. Germany work it through to Philipp Lahm down the right and when he plays it infield for Piotr Trochowski, the midfielder's low, well-struck left-foot shot from 25 yards is tipped behind by Iker Casillas.

David Villa is frantically waving his arms up and down on the Spain right, but he doesn't get a pass, and moments later Andres Iniesta's attempt at a slide-rule pass for the striker is blocked by a Germany defender.

Spain are over-playing it and Vicente del Bosque looks non-too-pleased sat, arms folded, on the bench. They've had so much of the ball and in the final third done very little decisive with it.

Possession percentage stats show 53-47 in Spain's favour, which shows you that Germany have come into it more in recent times in Durban. They look dangerous going forward too, you won't be surprised to learn.

Jerome Boateng gets a ticking off from the ref for obstructing Andres Iniesta, but Spain over-play the free-kick, trying to be too clever, and Germany are awake and well-drilled and clear the danger with ease.

Mesut Ozil fastens on to a pass forward and he's in, the young playmaker, but Sergio Ramos gets across and Ozil goes down in the Spain box. He wants a penalty and the German box do too, but the ref waves play on.

We are very much back under way inside the spectacular Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Spain start the half brightly and Sergio Ramos gets Pedro away down the right, but there's only David Villa in the box for him to hit and it flies over the five-goal frontman's head.

Magical stuff from Pedro down the Spanish right - he somehow keeps going and keeps going to the edge of the Germany box when it looks like he's run out of steam, but he manages to pull it back for Xabi Alonso, who promptly spanks it wide.

Wide, but only by a yard or two. Spain play the ball from right and on the edge of the Germany box Xavi lays it off again to Xabi Alonso, but his left-foot shot flies narrowly wide of Manuel Neuer's left-hand post.

Spain get into a good position again and after Andres Iniesta finds Xavi he plays it short to David Villa on the edge of the Germany box towards the left, but his effort doesn't come back enough and is comfortably wide for Manuel Neuer.

It's still cagey. Spain are still waiting for the perfect moment to pass through Germany and the Germans are waiting for their chance to counter.

Spain might not get much closer without scoring. Pedro has a shot from the edge of the box well saved by Manuel Neuer and then from the rebound Andres Iniesta's fizzing cross along the six-yard box just evades David Villa at the far post. Then, Pedro fires just wide from 20 yards.

Half a chance for the arch-predator, but Miroslav Klose can only volley an awkward Marcell Jansen cross from the Germany left way over the bar.

Sergio Ramos tries to latch on to a cross into the Germany area and he goes down under a challenge from Lukas Podolski, but there's nothing doing there for Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai.

More frustration for Spain, they just cannot get that final ball right on the edge of the Germany box. This time Xabio Alonso and Pedro and Xavi are all involved before Andres Iniesta's cross drifts behind. Fernando Torres starts warming up.

David Villa gets past a defender and drills a cross-shot goalwards from an angle on the right, but Manuel Neuer gets down well to make a routine save.

All that Spanish possession and it's Germany who should be 1-0 up. Lukas Podolski digs out a super cross from the left and it lands on the half-volley for the unmarked Toni Kroos, but he can't get enough power on the shot and Iker Casillas dives to his left to make the parry.

Now it's Germany who enjoy some possession - have they broken the Spanish spirit with their closed ranks? Vicente del Bosque probably should be thinking about a sub sometime soon.

Now then, Joachim Loew's got one substitution left to make, Vicente del Bosque's got all three in his locker. Who does what? This is where you earn your money.

Now Germany are going to boss the ball and Spain are going to play on the break. Maybe some fresh legs would help the Spanish? Toni Kroos sends over two German corners, but they are both resolutely headed away.

Oh, Pedro. If Germany get back into this, the Barca man will have serious questions to answer. A German attack breaks down and Spain are two-on-one - but Pedro dallies and procrastinates and gets tackled instead of playing in an unmarked Fernando Torres. Pedro apologises, but the Spanish bench are horrified.

Xabi Alonso wins the ball from Mesut Ozil but brings the midfielder down too and there's a free-kick for Germany 40 yards out. After a couple of balls into the box are cleared, Carles Puyol fouls Bastian Schweinsteiger right on the edge of the Spain box but nothing is given. Pedro is then hauled off for Spain, with David Silva coming on.

Time is ticking, what have Germany got left?

Andres Iniesta finds Fernando Torres and he is desperate to create a shooting chance, but Arne Friedrich gets in well to boot the ball behind for a corner. Spain are just eating up the clock.

Germany look spent. Spain are taking their time over everything and they even look like trying to bring on another sub.

SPAIN HAVE REACHED THE WORLD CUP FINAL FOR THE FIRST TIME

The "ole's" are ringing out from the International Broadcast Centre in Johannesburg - there is going to be a big old party in the Spanish section this evening. Don't worry, I won't dash over just yet.

Carles Puyol, who has just headed Spain into their first World Cup final, looks like he is in a state of shock. Two of the world's best players, Andres Iniesta and Bastian Schweinsteiger, exchange shirts, while Per Mertesacker looks heartbroken.

So, ladies and gentlemen, there will be a new winner of the World Cup in 2010. The Netherlands will play Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Sunday at 1930 BST for the right to lift the greatest sporting trophy on earth.

Hey, you wanna know something cool? The Netherlands and Spain have never met in the World Cup before. Surprising, isn't it? On Sunday, one of these great countries will become the eighth country to win the competition.

"We've shown that in the big moments we've risen to the occasion. It's the best game we've played. We deserved to score more but a Puyol goal put us in the final and we're exultant."

"It was very difficult tonight. We knew Spain were a favourite to win the tournament. Spain is a very strong team. We didn't play courageously enough in the first half. We had a chance in the second but weren't able to use it. It's a huge disappointment. We wanted to do a lot and didn't succeed."

By the way, in the race for the Golden Shoe, David Villa stays in pole position despite his goal-less evening. If you don't understand why, see Sam's entries at 17:07 and 17:16. Villa is currently three minutes better off than Wesley Sneijder, helped by his substitution this evening.

That, my football-loving friends, is that. We have our World Cup finalists - on Sunday, the Netherlands will face Spain. Before then on Saturday, Uruguay take on Germany in the third place play-off. You have a good Rest Day Five and Rest Day Six and see you then.