Spain win shootout to reach semis at last
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-23 07:55

Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas saves a shot from Italy's Daniele De Rossi (not pictured) during the penalty shoot-out of their Euro 2008 quarter-final soccer match at Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna, June 22, 2008. [Agencies]

Spain are the only one of the Euro 2008 group winners to reach the semi-finals after Portugal, Croatia and Netherlands all lost.

SPAIN FRUSTRATED

Like the three who fell before them, they were unable to reproduce their earlier form as they were frustrated by an Italy side who had rediscovered their defensive solidity after a shaky start to the tournament.

Neither keeper was stretched in the first half and though Spain continued to have the better of the game after the break their play lacked accuracy and a real commitment to attack.

Fabregas and Santi Cazorla came on after an hour and though they livened things up a little it was Italy substitute Mauro Camoranesi who almost opened the scoring moments later when his close-range shot was saved by Casillas with his feet.

Midfielder Marcos Senna then almost snatched it for Spain nine minutes from time when Gianluigi Buffon fumbled a long-range Marcos Senna drive on to a post but he safely gathered the rebound.

Spain remained the more ambitious side in extra time but few in the crowd were surprised when it went to penalties.

Buffon saved from Daniel Guiza but David Villa, Santi Cazorla and Senna all beat him and after Casillas played his part with two diving stops, Fabregas settled it.

"Naturally, it was the most important goal of my life," said Fabregas. "It was football justice that we won the match."