Cesc Fabregas held his nerve to score the decisive penalty as Spain overcame Italy on spot-kicks to set-up a semi-final meeting with Russia.Spain beat Italy 4-2 on penalties to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2008 after a dour goalless draw in Vienna.
The composed Arsenal midfielder sent Gianluigi Buffon the wrong way from the spot to confirms Spain's progress by the narrowest of margins after a disappointing quarter-final in Vienna had ended goalless after extra-time.
Luis Aragones' side will now face Russia in Vienna on Thursday, but they will need to significantly improve after a below-par showing in a game where both they and Italy failed to show much attacking flair and endeavour.
Spain bossed possession for large portions of the game against a defensively-minded Italy and clear-cut chances were at a premium throughout a contest that seemed destined for extra-time following a cagey opening.David Villa briefly threatened when he tested Buffon with a 30-yard free-kick which he drilled under the jumping wall on 25 minutes.
Italy's Luca Toni wasted the best opening of the first half when he failed to make enough contact with a tantalising Antonio Cassano cross on 37 minutes and the out-of-touch striker saw his feeble header deflect away off the unwitting Carlos Marchena.
At the other end, David Silva was just inches away from sneaking a low shot from the edge of the penalty area inside the far post after cutting in from the right-hand touchline.
The second half was a similarly tense affair and neither side looked capable of breaking down the opposition's tightly-packed defence.
Spain again enjoyed more possession but Iker Casillas was called upon to deny Mauro Camoranesi with his legs on the hour-mark.
The best chances of the match came in surprise circumstances on 81 minutes when the usually reliable Buffon spilled a thunderous low strike from Marcos Senna onto the foot of his post before gathering the ball at the second attempt.
Extra-time briefly brought fresh attacking impetus and both sides had chances as Silva drilled a low shot inches wide of the upright from the edge of the penalty area and Casillas was called upon to tip Antonio Di Natale's instant header from a near post cross over the top.
But the penalty shoot-out which had seemed inevitable from the opening moments ensued and Daniele De Rossi and Di Natale both saw their spot-kicks clawed away by the impressive Casillas.
Spain's Daniel Guiza also saw his effort repelled by Buffon, but Fabregas calmly stroked home his spot-kick to begin scenes of jubilation among the Spain players.
25′ David Villa has a dangerous set piece shot.
37′ Marcos Senna misses the target for Spain.
49′ David Silva has a nice run.
61′ Camoranesi has a huge chance for Italy.
80′ Senna’s long range shot hits the post after a Buffon error.
93′ David Silva shoots wide from long range.
Spain Vs Italy Full Main Highlights(21:39 min)
Spain 0 - 0 (4-2) Italy
Penalty Shoot-out:
D. Villa [1 - 1] F. Grosso
S. Cazorla [2 - 1] D.D. Rossi
M. Senna [3 - 2] M. Camoranesi
D. Guiza [3 - 2] A.D. Natale
C. Fabregas [4 - 2]
Match Statistics:
shots on target : 8 - 6
shots off target : 16 - 6
possession (%) : 57 - 43
corner kicks : 8 - 3
offsides : 3 - 4
fouls : 25 - 24
yellow cards : 3 - 1
red cards : 0 - 0
Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany)
Attendance: 51,428.
Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Capdevila, Iniesta (Santi Cazorla 59), Senna, Xavi (Fabregas 59), Silva, Villa, Torres (Guiza 85).
Subs Not Used: Palop, Albiol, Fernando Navarro, Alonso, Sergio Garcia, Arbeloa, Juanito, De la Red, Reina.
Booked: Iniesta, Villa, Santi Cazorla.
Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso, Aquilani (Del Piero 108), De Rossi, Ambrosini, Perrotta (Camoranesi 58), Toni, Cassano (Di Natale 75).
Subs Not Used: Amelia, Gamberini, Borriello, Quagliarella, Materazzi, De Sanctis.
Booked: Ambrosini.
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