DONETSK: Spain is just one victory away from making history with a third straight major tournament win.
Spain labored to a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Portugal to reach Sunday’s final, where only Germany or Italy can keep it from an unprecedented trio of victories.
The record run is on course even if Spain’s attack hasn’t exactly lived up to high expectations, with the team’s ability to grind out results becoming its trademark in Poland and Ukraine.
Spain is the only team besides West Germany to reach three straight finals, and the team can go one better than that West German side from the 1970s with a victory in Kiev.
”Spain has already made history and now we continue making it,” captain Iker Casillas said. ”I hope people remember this all their lives because who would have thought we could achieve this four years ago.”
The Spanish, who won the Euro 2008 and World Cup in 2010, remain on course after Cesc Fabregas netted the decisive penalty after Wednesday’s game ended 0-0 after extra-time.
”I had an intuition. In the afternoon I was thinking about it, that I would have a unique opportunity and I told (assistant coach) Toni Grande that I didn’t want to shoot second, that I wanted to shoot fifth,” Fabregas said at the Donbass Arena. ”I think I spoke to the ball, I know what I told the ball. I said ‘I think we’ll be together right to the final.”’
Vicente del Bosque’s team has an extra rest day over its opponent, something that will be appreciated as the Spanish coach admitted that he replaced Xavi Hernandez against Portugal because of fatigue.
And there are no preferences for the world champions in the final.
”In either case, whichever team gets out of the semifinal will be a great team,” Del Bosque said.
Spain’s biggest concern going into the final will be its starting attack after surprise choice Alvaro Negredo failed to gel with his teammates against Portugal. Fabregas or Fernando Torres are the favorites, with the pair having scored two goals each and each starting twice in five games.
Despite its inability to find the back of the net, Spain remains upbeat about its chances.
”Spain keeps making history, nobody has done what we have and now if we win Sunday’s final we can add the exclamation point to this era,” said defender Sergio Ramos, whose audacious soft chip in the penalty shootout helped put Spain in command. ”I hope people appreciate how difficult it is to get to where we are. Spain won’t always win every game, but we hope that’s not the case on Sunday.”
Earlier, after a lively opening half hour, with both teams looking to get forward, the game gradually fizzled out and it was no surprise when the outcome had to be decided by penalties.
Xabi Alonso was first up for Spain and Portugal keeper Rui Patricio got down well to push his effort wide but then his opposite number Iker Casillas did likewise to save from Joao Moutinho.
The ball finally got in the net – after 120 minutes and two penalties – when Andres Iniesta scored with trademark composure but the contest turned when Portugal missed their fourth penalty when Bruno Alves struck the bar.
Alves had walked to take the third kick before being called away by Nani who converted his effort and that change only added to the mystery as to why Ronaldo was not used.
The Real Madrid winger was penciled in for the fifth kick but after Fabregas’ fortunate conversion off the posts, there was to be no fifth penalty.
‘Crushed Portugal should be proud’
Portugal should be proud of their performance at Euro 2012, even if their campaign ended in a crushing defeat in a penalty shootout in the semi-finals to holders Spain, forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani insisted.
“We didn’t lack for conviction but we were unlucky. That’s penalties for you,” said Ronaldo, whose frustration was apparent after he did not even get to take his kick as Portugal’s final penalty-taker, Cesc Fabregas had already wrapped things up at 4-2 to Spain, meaning there was no way back.
Spain keeper and Ronaldo’s Real Madrid clubmate Iker Casillas had ensured as much by saving from Joao Moutinho while Bruno Alves hit the crossbar.
“We really gave it all we had, and it’s difficult to go out on penalties. We showed a lot of quality,” said Manchester United star Nani, who put away his kick after appearing to push Alves down the pecking order.
“In the end Spain simply had more luck than we did. But people in Portugal can be proud of their team. We are sad as we deserved to be in the final – but we can go home with our heads held high,” Nani insisted in an echo of England coach Roy Hodgson, whose own side tasted defeat in a penalty shootout against Italy in the quarter-finals.
The loss after 120 tense minutes had ended goalless meant Portugal failed to reach only their second trophy match after Euro 2004 on home soil.
Yet it appeared their penalty-taking strategy had backfired with Ronaldo saved until last — too late to make a difference.
Ronaldo’s and Casillas’ clubmate Pepe insisted penalties could have no bearing on who was the better team.
“Spotkicks are always a lottery. During the game we were organised and they hardly had a shot on goal — it’s so sad we lost the shootout,” said the central defender.
“I think people will be proud of us, even so, for what we achieved here.
“We are a young group and we will have other opportunities in future.”
Striker Nelson Oliveira insisted that the Portuguese could not be faulted for their showing against the world and European champions. (AFP)