Spain beats Germany to reach World Cup soccer final
DURBAN, South Africa — Carles Puyol’s goal in the second half lifted Spain to a 1-0 World Cup semifinal win over Germany on Wednesday. Spain faces the Netherlands on Sunday at Soccer City in Johannesburg, ensuring a first-time champion. The Dutch have lost in their only two trips to the final. Spain is playing for the World Cup title for the first time. The two teams have never met in the World Cup and their all-time series is dead even.
Cancellara keeps Tour de France lead
REIMS, France — Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara retained the yellow jersey after Wednesday’s fourth stage of the Tour de France. The overall standings remained the same after Wednesday’s 95.4-mile ride from Cambrai to the champagne capital Reims — a mostly flat trek that was
tailor-made for sprinters.
Today’s fifth stage also presents a mostly flat stage, a 116.5-mile cruise from Epernay to Montargis. The next big challenges loom in the Alps starting with Sunday’s eighth stage. The race ends July 25 in Paris.

