World Cup 2010: Germany v Spain in pictures

So, Paul the octopus has spoken and according to the psychic cephalopod Spain are going to win tonight's semi-final. How about that eh? Bet the Germans are worried, and so they should be. Paul's predicted the result of every Germany match thus far, plucking a mussel from the box of the victorious side before each of their World Cup clashes. Any idea of the score, Paul? Oh come on
Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Looks like these fans completely disagree with the eight-legged fella. According to this banner, they reckon they'll have Spain for dinner. Can't argue with that too much; not after the way they gobbled up both England and Argentina
Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPA

This chap has made a lightning quick start to the match, zipping past the security guards in the third minute and making it onto the pitch. That's worth a quick toot on the vuvuzela
Photograph: Ina Fassbender/Reuters

... before he gets picked up and dumped over the advertising screen by two disgruntled security guards. (Maybe, just maybe, it wasn't a great idea to invade the pitch before he'd even watched any of the match)
Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

Some proper action now. Here, Spain's David Villa somehow gets the jump on Germany's Per Mertesacker
Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

... before crunching the German goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, with a feisty challenge. Villa almost scored the opener then after racing onto a neat throughball from Pedro, but Neuer did well to smoother the effort the moment it left the Spaniard's toe
Photograph: Luca Bruno/AP

At the other end, Spain's Iker Casillas punches the ball clear as Germany hunt the opening goal
Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

A novel approach to tackling from Villa, but a futile one, as Germany's Jerome Boateng hooks the ball clear
Photograph: Daniel Dal Zennaro/EPA

Carlos Puyol gets tangled with Germany's Miroslav Klose who, incidentally, is the second highest goalscorer in World Cup history. That's one way to deal with him
Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

It's not been the most noteworthy opening half hour. Here, Sergio Ramos falls awkwardly at the feet of Bastian Schweinsteiger
Photograph: Steve Haag/Getty Images

Just before the break, Germany's Mesut Özil bursts into the box and is clipped on the heel by Ramos. The contact was right on the edge of the area - a definite foul - but the referee, who should be tossing up between a penalty and a free-kick, isn't interested
Photograph: Daniel Dal Zennaro/EPA

That could've changed the game completely. Instead it remains goalless at half-time
Photograph: Hassan Ammar/AP

A much livelier second half is laden with chances, especially for the European champions. Here, Spain's David Villa is inches from connecting with Andres Iniesta's cross-cum-shot. A typically Spanish passage of play - intricate and swift - had carved open the German defence, but Villa couldn't apply the decisive touch
Photograph: Rogan Ward/Reuters

Klose speeds clear of Gerard Pique
Photograph: Pierre-philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images

But Pique gets his own back with this boneheaded challenge
Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Goal to Spain! Carlos Puyol sends a thumping header into the top corner giving Neuer no chance. You won't see a firmer header than that. He almost burst the ball!
Photograph: Rogan Ward/Reuters

Lukas Podolski was on the post but he too was helpless. Spain are 1-0 up with 17 minutes remaining
Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

They're absolutely delighted. And they deserve their lead, too
Photograph: Rogan Ward/Reuters

A big group hug ensues. It's only Puyol's third international goal. What a way to score it! That was the antithesis of Spanish football - brutally direct - but they couldn't care less
Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP

Germany's fans can't bear to watch ... we're into injury time now - only three minutes will be played ... And it's over, Germany are out, the Octopus was right again!
Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/Reuters

The Germans are crestfallen; Spain are going absolutely doolally. They'll face Holland in Sunday's final. Now there's a game of football to look forward to
Photograph: Marcelo Del Pozo/Reuters

Schweinsteiger's pose says it all. The Germans have huffed and puffed tonight, but never approached the imperious form which saw them score eight goals in their previous two knock-out matches
Photograph: Rogan Ward/Reuters

Take your alien and get gone, pal, because the World Cup is going to a new home. Neither Spain nor Holland have ever lifted football's greatest prize before, but soon one of them will. Come on then Paul, get your mussels out, who's it going to be?
Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters