Spain 1-0 Germany, 2008 final
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This match broke the jinx that had surrounded the Spanish team for 44 years and thus began the transition from “perennial underachievers” of international football to formidable world champions, winning everything for the next four years from the Euros to the World Cup.
On paper and right through the tournament, both these teams were a cut above the rest and not many were surprised with these 2 lining up against each other in the final. It was a matchup of two very different ideologies, Spain’s tiki-taka pitched against Germany’s swift counter-attacking play.
After a strong start by Germany, Spain took hold of the game and dominated the match for most of the 90 minutes then on. A burst of speed by Fernando Torres to latch onto Xavi’s through ball and calmly slot the ball across Jens Lehmann settled the encounter.
The Spanish team had numerous chances to extend their lead but the profligacy in front of goal did not come back to haunt them and they ran out worthy champions in the end.
The match was Germany’s legendary player Michael Ballack’s final game, whose only regret in his career would no doubt have been coming so close yet remaining so far with multiple finals and semi-finals, but no silverware to show for it, a fact cruelly highlighted through this game.
Spain were crowned champions after 44 years and went on to win the World Cup in 2010 and defend their title at the 2012 European Championship.
