Spain's Carles Puyol, center, celebrates scoring the opening goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Germany and Spain at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban, South Africa, Wednesday July 7, 2010. Spain defeated Germany 1-0.

DURBAN, South Africa — David Villa had his chances. So did Andres Iniesta. Even newcomer Pedro got off a couple of shots.

On a team filled with offensive threats, it was a defender who finally put Spain in its first World Cup final.

Good luck, Netherlands. Spain might be simply too loaded — and too good — to lose.

"I am sure Spain will win the title," Germany coach Joachim Loew said after Spain beat his team 1-0 in the World Cup semifinals Wednesday night. "They're the best team."

Loew won't get much argument. Not after the way the reigning European champions dismantled a team that had been rolling through South Africa, winning on Carles Puyol's thunderous header off a corner kick late in the second half.

Spain has been the best team in Europe — all the world, really — for much of the last four years. It's lost all of two games since November 2006, one a shocker to Switzerland in the group-stage opener. It clinched its first major title in 44 years by beating Germany at the 2008 European Championship. By an identical 1-0 score, no less.

But injuries to Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas had robbed the Spanish of some of their flair, so much so that some wondered if their time had passed.

This ought to put those doubts to rest.

"We can say Germany wasn't as good as we thought they'd be today," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "But that is due to the excellent performance of our team."

The score may have been 1-0, but don't let that fool you. Spain dominated this game from the opening whistle. It pressured Germany relentlessly, and had a 13-5 advantage in shots on goal.

Finally, after coming oh, so close several times — including on back-to-back plays in the 57th minute — Xavi swung a corner kick right into the scrum in front of the goal in the 73rd. With fellow defender and Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique next to him and screening Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's view, Puyol leaped and got his head on the ball.

With one mighty swing that sent his trademark long curls flying, Puyol buried the ball into the net.

As the Germans watched in dismay, the Spanish players gathered for a group hug at the edge of the box, bouncing up and down and rubbing each other's heads. The Spanish fans, Queen Sofia included, let loose with a roar of jubilation that shook the Moses Mabhida Stadium.