Spain have booked their spot in the final of Euro 2012 following a penalty shootout victory over Portugal.
It was the Portuguese who controlled the opening period of the game, and periods of the second half. However, Spain certainly had the better of extra-time.
The victory means that the Spanish have maintained their record of having never lost an international semi-final, while they have now kept eight consecutive clean sheets in knock-out matches.
Portugal, meanwhile, fall at the semi-final stage once more and they must now focus their attention on the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup.
Here, Sports Mole dissects this evening's events between the Iberian rivals:
Portugal statistics:
Shots 12
On target 3
Possession 41%
Corners 6
Fouls 28
Spain statistics:
Shots 13
On target 6
Possession 59%
Corners 7
Fouls 19
Was the result fair?
Not for me. Yes Spain controlled the latter stages of the game and much of extra-time, but Portugal shaded the match overall. Cristiano Ronaldo had a couple of chances to win it – but it just wasn't to be. Spain will have played better than this, that is for certain, but they continue to win football games.
Portugal's performance
Paulo Bento must be praised for the way he sent his team out this evening. It had been suggested Portugal would sit back and invite pressure – far from it. They hassled and harried the Spanish midfield and were the better side in the opening period. They understandably tired as the match progressed, but Joao Moutinho, Pepe and Bruno Alves (apart from THAT miss) were brilliant.
Spain's performance
Must do better. It seemed quite extraordinary that Vicente Del Bosque started with Alvaro Negredo in attack – and in truth, he was poor. He brought on Cesc Fabregas for the latter stages of the match and it gave them a period of control. For all their criticism, however, it's another clean sheet and another major final – can't be bad!
Sports Mole's man of match
Pepe: The Real Madrid defender hasn't won many friends in the game with his gamesmanship. However, he was simply terrific this evening. He headed every ball, made every tackle, and scored a wonderful penalty in the shootout.
Referee performance
Cuneyt Cakir had a bit of a horror show at times. He missed a series of clear fouls on Nani in the opening period, and blew for a free-kick even though Portugal were in a dangerous attacking position.
Biggest gaffe of the game
This one is obvious – Ronaldo not taking an early penalty in the shootout for Portugal. The skipper had been scheduled to take the fifth penalty, but Alves's miss meant that he did not get to step up.
What next?
Portugal: That's it for Portugal. They have impressed this year and we must also not forget that they knocked out the Netherlands. I am certain they will be back.
Spain: Spain march onto the final where they will face the winner of tomorrow's match between Germany and Italy. However, they will have to improve on tonight's showing if they are to claim a third consecutive major trophy.
Matt Law
