The only numbers that mattered to Spain and Germany heading into their 2010 FIFA World Cup semi-final were those on the scoreboard at the final whistle. FIFA.com nevertheless reflects on a series of other intriguing statistics from an exciting match at Durban Stadium.
98
matches in the FIFA World Cup is the unprecedented figure Germany reached today. They previously shared the record with Brazil, who have participated in all 19 editions of the competition compared to Die Nationalelf’s 17. Italy (80), Argentina (70) and England (59) are next on the list of most FIFA World Cup games, while Spain (55) have now moved above France into outright sixth place.
32
years after Argentina and the Netherlands competed to lift the Trophy for the first time, Spain’s 1-0 victory over Germany ensured the FIFA World Cup Final will again be contested by two uncrowned teams.
28
years after West Germany became the last reigning European champions to reach the FIFA World Cup Final, Spain became the fourth. Italy achieved the feat in 1970 and the Germans followed suit four years later.
26
minutes and 52 seconds was what it took for the first foul to be committed at Durban Stadium, with Sergio Ramos bringing down Lukas Podolski.
25
years and 299 days is what gave Germany the youngest starting line-up in a FIFA World Cup semi-final for 48 years - Yugoslavia’s XI had an average age 154 days younger in their 3-1 loss to Czechoslovakia at Chile 1962. Die Nationalelf’s average would have been younger had the suspended Thomas Muller, 20, played in place of his 26-year-old replacement Piotr Trochowski.
12
different countries have now reached the FIFA World Cup Final: Uruguay, Argentina, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Brazil, West Germany, Sweden, England, the Netherlands, France and Spain.
7
Barcelona players meant Spain started a FIFA World Cup semi-final with the most representatives from one club in 40 years. Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro and David Villa ensured La Roja became only the third side to start a semi-final with seven men from the same club - Czechoslovakia in 1934 and Uruguay in 1970 had the same number from Slavia Prague and Nacional respectively.
6
consecutive clean sheets in knockout matches at the FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship is the record Spain set today. Italy managed five between 1994 and 2000, although their 676 minutes without conceding in knockout games at the two aforementioned tournaments is 61 minutes more than La Roja's current run.
0
goals had been scored at half-time for the fourth successive time in FIFA World Cup semi-finals involving Germany. They went on to win in 1990 and 2002, but lost four years ago and today.
