JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Spain killed off Germany with a single goal in a pulsating World Cup semi on Wednesday to set up a final with the Netherlands where a new winner of soccer’s biggest prize will be crowned.

A 73rd minute flying header by defender Carles Puyol from a perfectly placed corner settled one of the best matches of the tournament, in which the ball swung from end to end and Germany mounted waves of desperate attacks in the final minutes.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Germany and Spain do battle on Wednesday for the right to meet the Netherlands in the World Cup final, in a semi widely expected to be one of the most exciting clashes of the tournament.

A 3-2 Dutch victory on Tuesday against a Uruguayan side who fought until the last minute in a thrilling encounter, guaranteed Europe would win its first trophy outside the continent in the final at Johannesburg’s Soccer City on Sunday.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Underdogs Uruguay face the Netherlands on Tuesday for a place in the World Cup final after Ghana, who they controversially beat to get to the semis, were welcomed home as heroes.

Uruguay, who are in their first semi-final for 40 years, are harking back to glory days when they won the trophy in 1930 and 1950.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – FIFA will watch for any further signs of political interference in Nigerian soccer after a dispute with the government almost led to the suspension of the local football federation, it said on Tuesday.

Soccer’s ruling body on Monday lifted a threat to suspend Nigeria from all FIFA-related activities, including an annual grant of $250,000, after President Goodluck Jonathan reversed a ban on the national team participating in international competitions as punishment for its poor World Cup performance.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Nigeria lifted a ban on the national side playing international soccer on Monday just ahead of a FIFA deadline, while Uruguay prepared to do battle as the last barrier to European domination of the World Cup.

Uruguay, with two of their most important players out through suspension or injury, face the Netherlands in Tuesday’s first semi-final.

JOHANNESBURG, July 5 (Reuters) – Nigeria lifted a ban on
the national side playing international soccer on Monday just
ahead of a FIFA deadline, while Uruguay prepared to do battle
as the last barrier to European domination of the World Cup.

Uruguay, with two of their most important players out
through suspension or injury, face the Netherlands in Tuesday’s
first semi-final.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Germany demolished Argentina and Spain beat Paraguay by one goal in a quarter-final of extraordinary drama Saturday as Europe took revenge on Latin America to dominate the World Cup.

The results mean three European sides and Uruguay will contest next week’s semi-finals. South America had dominated the early stages of the World Cup, while soccer powers England, holders Italy and France were all humbled.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Germany demolished Argentina and Spain beat Paraguay by one goal in a quarter-final

of extraordinary drama on Saturday as Europe took revenge on Latin America to dominate the World Cup.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Germany demolished Diego Maradona’s Argentina 4-0 on Saturday as a European power sent home a Latin American World Cup favourite for the second time in two days.

The Argentines had become a hot tip to win the tournament after five-times champions Brazil were ousted by the Netherlands on Friday.

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Favourites Brazil were sensationally dumped out of the World Cup by the Netherlands on Friday in the biggest shock of the tournament.

The Dutch, who looked in danger of being overrun in the first half in Port Elizabeth, fought back in the second to win 2-1 over a Brazil reduced to 10 men by the end.