WORLD CUP 2010: CASILLAS AND SPAIN FACE HISTORIC GAME
Baku, July 7 (AZERTAC). Spain skipper Iker Casillas believes Wednesday`s World Cup semi-final against Germany is the most important game in the country`s history.
It is the first time the reigning European champions have reached a World Cup semi-final.
And the tie is a rematch of the Euro 2008 final, when Spain won 1-0 to earn their first major international trophy.
“We know the Germany match is the most important in our history - more than the Euro 2008 final,” said Casillas.
Spain have not been at their fluent best in South Africa, having begun their campaign with a shock 1-0 defeat by Switzerland and since then they have shown only flashes of brilliance - although striker David Villa has been consistently excellent.
Villa is the tournament`s joint leading scorer with five goals and his form has been one of the main reasons for Spain`s progress - particularly with strike partner Fernando Torres struggling to be at his best.
Torres is coming back from a knee injury suffered at the end of Liverpool`s domestic season and his lack of goals could tempt Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque into starting with Arsenal`s Cesc Fabregas against the Germans.
Villa, 28, who has just signed for Barcelona, will be especially keen to continue his scoring run against Germany after injury ruled him out of the Euro 2008 final - when Torres scored the winner.
Extra motivation will be provided by the fact Villa is also one goal away from matching Raul`s Spanish record goals tally of 44. He is already Spain`s record scorer at the World Cup with eight goals in all.
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