Spain Beats Portugal In Penalty Kicks To Advance To Euro 2012 Final

Spain's Cesc Fabregas celebrates with goalkeeper Iker Casillas after scoring the decisive goal in the penalty shootout of the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, June 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

DONETSK, Ukraine — Still not pretty to watch, still just as effective.

Spain again failed to dazzle at the European Championship yet still advanced to its third straight major championship final, beating Portugal 4-2 in a penalty shootout Wednesday following a scoreless draw after extra time.

"We're playing better in defense than what the characteristics of our players would suggest," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "That's what earns victories."

After earning plaudits for the eye-catching one-touch passing that helped Spain win titles at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, this year's team is struggling to create chances. Against Portugal, the defending champions managed only one quality shot in regulation time.

It didn't matter, though, because the Spanish still came through when it mattered. Cesc Fabregas, who came on as a substitute in the second half, scored the deciding penalty after Bruno Alves hit the crossbar for Portugal moments earlier.

"I played poorly, but the team worked really hard," Fabregas said. "I had this intuition that we could advance if we went to penalties and that's what we did."

Spain will next face either Germany or Italy on Sunday in Kiev.

"Being in another final is a miracle," Fabregas said. "It's really incredible."

Cristiano Ronaldo had several chances for Portugal, but he sent three shots well over the crossbar as his team held its own for the entire match. The Real Madrid star, who came alive with three goals in his last two matches at the tournament, did not take a penalty in the shootout. He had been slated to take the fifth one, but it never got that far.

"Our players trained and were prepared for a situation like this," Portugal coach Paulo Bento said. "We didn't have much luck."

After an often dour opening 90 minutes, the match livened up in the 30 minutes of extra time.

Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta forced Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio into a superb reflex save in the 103rd minute. Iniesta ghosted into the penalty area then held his head in disbelief as Rui Patricio reacted brilliantly to get a strong hand on his shot after Jordi Alba cut the ball back toward the penalty spot.

Rui Patricio made another fine save to deny substitute Jesus Navas in the 111th.

"Both teams were stronger in defense in the first 90 minutes, but that balance was broken in extra time," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said.

Tempers frayed at times, with Portugal center half Pepe getting a yellow card for a challenge on Xabi Alonso as they went for a high ball. Ronaldo also received some heavy challenges late in the match.

In the shootout, Xabi had the first attempt saved by Rui Patricio before Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved Joao Moutinho's shot. Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos then all scored for Spain, while Pepe and Nani answered for Portugal.

"The first one wasn't so lucky, and then we scored the rest of them," Casillas said. "Yes, we really were lucky. Everything is about luck sometimes."

Del Bosque ditched his unorthodox 4-6-0 formation for Wednesday's match and opted for a traditional striker – but not the one many expected. Instead of Fernando Torres, it was Alvaro Negredo that got the start up front. But 10 minutes into the second half, Del Bosque replaced him with Fabregas.

Although Negredo worked hard, his lack of movement made him easy to mark. Spain improved as Fabregas made clever runs to stretch the defense and the defending champions dominated most of extra time with the substitution of Pedro Rodriguez for midfielder Xavi Hernandez late in the match.

"I think we were better in the first 90 minutes. Then in extra time we were less efficient," Bento said. "When we couldn't take advantage of our opportunities, Spain got stronger."

Rui Patricio was a big help in goal for Portugal, but much more was expected from Ronaldo. The winger had a chance, albeit a difficult one, to win the game in the 90th minute when Portugal poured forward after clearing a free kick. But Raul Meireles' pass was fractionally behind Ronaldo and, with momentum lost, he had to check his run and sent his shot high and wide.

Ronaldo briefly threatened early in the first half, whipping over a cross from the left wing that Casillas grabbed before Nani could head it in. He also sent a free kick into the wall after too easily tumbling under a challenge.

Working as a unit, Portugal started to gain the upper hand midway through the first half. Moutinho flicked the ball into the path of Ronaldo, whose wild shot flew over the net.

"Everyone helped to control Ronaldo," Del Bosque said.

Loading Slideshow

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball in front of Spain's Alvaro Arbeloaduring the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal head coach Paulo Bento shouts during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo falls as he is flanked by Spain's Gerard Pique, right, and Alvaro Arbeloa during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Hugo Almeida, left, and Spain's Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos, right, go for a header during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Sergio Ramos holds Portugal's Nani during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Fabio Coentrao kicks the ball, challenged by Spain's David Silva, left, during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Gerard Pique, left, looks on as Portugal's Hugo Almeida controls the ball during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Alvaro Arbeloa kicks the ball in front of Portugal's Miguel Veloso during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, and Spain's Alvaro Arbeloa run for the ball during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Fabio Coentrao, foreground, and Spain's Alvaro Negredo challenge for the ball during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Andres Iniesta goes for the ball during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain soccer fans cheer before the semifinal match between Spain and Portugal at the Euro 2012 soccer championship in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Fabio Coentrao kicks the ball, challenged by Spain's David Silva, left, during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, fails to score past Spain's Gerard Pique, left, and Sergio Ramos during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's David Silva, left, is challenged by Portugal's Joao Moutinho during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Joao Pereira, left, and Miguel Veloso reach for a ball during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Alvaro Arbeloa, center, tries to get the ball past Portugal's Miguel Veloso, left, and Fabio Coentrao during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque shouts during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Andres Iniesta, left, fails to score past Portugal's Joao Pereira, right, and Pepe during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Andres Iniesta, in red, is challenged by Portugal's Miguel Veloso, left, and Joao Pereira during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's soccer fans sing their national anthem as they watch on a giant screen the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal, in Porto, Portugal, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, is challenged by Spain's David Silva during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Xabi Alonso and Portugal's Pepe go for a header during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir shows a yellow card to Spain's Sergio Busquets during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain soccer fans react while watching the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal at the Fan Zone in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, is challenged by Spain's Jordi Alba during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, bottom and Spain's Sergio Ramos fall over as they duel for the ball during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Xabi Alonso, left, and Portugal's Joao Moutinho duel for the ball during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Cesc Fabregas reacts during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Alvaro Arbeloa left, and Portugal's Nelson Oliveira jump for the ball during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo shoots a free kick during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Bruno Alves falls over Spain's Alvaro Negredo during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque, center, talks with his players before the start of the extra-time during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Gerard Pique clears the ball in front of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Sergio Ramos gestures during extra time of the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Xabi Alonso, second right, is booked by referee Cuneyt Cakir of Turkey, top left, after fouling Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, bottom, during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal head coach Paulo Bento, center, talks to his players before the penalty shootout of the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, June 27, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Stains from the pitch are seen on the shirt of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of the extra-time of the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, June 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, talks to goalkeeper Rui Patricio prior to the penalty shootout of the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, June 28, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas saves a penalty from Portugal's Joao Moutinho during a penalty shootout in the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, June 28, 2012. Spain beat Portugal 4-2 in penalty shootout after the match finished 0-0 following extra time.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio dives for a shot by Spain's Xabi Alonso, unseen, that goes past the goal in the penalty shootout of the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, June 28, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas saves a penalty from Portugal's Joao Moutinho during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, June 28, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio fails to save a shot by Spain's Gerard Pique, unseen, in the penalty shootout of the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, June 28, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain's Gerard Pique scores his penalty shootout during the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, June 28, 2012.

• Spain v. Portugal

  Spain players celebrate winning the penalty shootout of the Euro 2012 soccer championship semifinal match between Spain and Portugal in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, June 28, 2012.

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Comments

[monstersfromtheid]

03:15 PM on 06/28/2012

Ronaldo quit on his team and was responsible for their awful penalties performance.

It was obvious from his body language before the penalties coin tosses he did not want to be part of it - kicking his toes, puffing his cheeks. He stood away from the rest of his team during the kicks and, with the exception of Pepe, he undermined his team's morale.

Penalties are more about confidence and and attitude than anything else, in the end he didn't take a kick when he should have stepped up and led his team. As the British would say, he lost his bottle.

[Ipanema]

01:57 PM on 06/28/2012

Portugal demonstrated yesterday the limitations of tiki-taka football. Spain did not dare to apply it full-bore against a worthy opponent. They will not use it against Germany, which will beat the hapless Italians today for sure. I predict Germany will overwelhm the Castilians on Sunday, putting an end to their reign.

[OPeixe]

03:47 PM on 06/28/2012

Yeah. I thought I'd come here to laugh a bit during mid time.

[Ipanema]

12:10 PM on 06/28/2012

Portugal convincingly showed the limitations of tiki-taka football. Spain barely escaped last night and will surely face defeat when facing Germany (Italy will surely get beaten tonight) on Sunday afternoon in the Euro 2012 final.

[CologneCitizen]

10:21 AM on 06/28/2012

Each tournament no matter whether world cup or European cup turns Cologne into a huge party zone. Beer is flowing and supporters from different countries are all over the place. After a nights result there are long lines of cars with the relevant flags for the winning country driving up and down the streets until dawn, people shouting and drinking. The police usually just stands by and watches the traffic nothing else. It is very peacefull, the police themselves watch football and understand emotions. In the last 30 years I cannot remember a bad incident in the centre of Cologne related to football. When Englísh supporters were over for the Sweden match in 2006, they were delighted how easy security was, they could have their beer in peace and nobody hassled them.

Greetings from Cologne, Germany, country of the winner of the Euro 2012

[MRLeavey]

10:10 AM on 06/28/2012

Ronaldo would have fit perfectly in the NBA playoffs with all of that flopping and flailing. The better team won.

[Ipanema]

12:11 PM on 06/28/2012

Not really. Tiki-taka failed last night in the Ukraine!

[fullofmitt]

10:01 AM on 06/28/2012

Not sure if Ronaldo or his coach tanked the game!

[Siba]

09:49 AM on 06/28/2012

This deep in the tournament, Spain and Portugal played very safe and conservative by not pushing numbers forward and attacking. You could tell neither team wanted to give up a goal on the counter-attack. I hate when teams do this. It takes some of the glory out of such a high profile tournament. If that game was the first game someone ever watched, they would say, "I don't get why people are so crazy about soccer, it's boring", and they would probably never watch another game.

It's not good for the sport when teams play safe. I understand the coaches and players want to win by any means necessary but, you have to push players forward to get good attempts at goal. If you keep attacking the opposition, it forces them back further.

Please, Spain, stop trying to make every little foul look like a yellow card and stop making it look like you were fouled any time someone touches you. We are watching in HD and with super slow motion replays we can see that you are faking. Just play, if you are really fouled, the ref will call it.

If I was a ref, I wouldn't call any fouls ever, and then I would say, "you brought this on yourselves with your acting, I can't tell if it's a real foul or not." Give some credit to Pedro for not going over towards the end when he got nicked in the penalty box.

[smeeeee]

09:37 AM on 06/28/2012

I hope they have a better ref for the match tonight.

[Siba]

10:03 AM on 06/28/2012

I actually don't think the ref was bad last night. It's hard to ref a game like that. Just watch a la liga game and you will see why. That is the Spanish style. Act like you are fouled any time someone touches you or if you are about to lose the ball. It's just another strategy to maintain possession when you are out-muscled by a physically stronger opponent.

[smeeeee]

10:45 AM on 06/28/2012

It wasn't the throwing themselves on the ground and whimpering like babies whenever a Portugese player so much as passed by that I objected to.  It was the two-on-one pincer fouling, and the throwing themselves smack in front of the running players.  And the ref never seemed to notice it at all.  I'll tell you, I started out rooting for the Spanish and I switched in the middle. A little accidental fouling is one thing, but they were trying to break Ronaldo's legs.  That's not on. 

[jonny dipstick]

09:35 AM on 06/28/2012

I was surprised and I drank a beer.

[gutenmorgen]

09:22 AM on 06/28/2012

A Spain-Italy finale will be a sort of repeat of the game of the preliminary round. That score was 1-1. The final will be 0-0 after 120 minutes and the champion will be decided by penalty kicks.
I am looking forward to the World Cup. Teams from the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania/Australia in addition to Europe. Much more fun.

[ontariogirl]

09:02 AM on 06/28/2012

Next.....Spain vs Germany. Germany for the win.....I think anyways.

[ColdFrisian]

09:06 AM on 06/28/2012

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Germany has to beat Italy first..

[ontariogirl]

08:54 AM on 07/04/2012

Oh Italy got beat all right. Too bad for Germany though.

[T4Timbuktu]

09:43 AM on 06/28/2012

I think the Germans are far superior. Not nearly the best Italian side ever assembled.

[ontariogirl]

08:54 AM on 07/04/2012

For sure not the best Italian team. 4-0. Wow.

[DanoX]

08:54 AM on 06/28/2012

Yet ANOTHER shoot out. Booooooooooooooooooorrrrrriiiing! Not to mention the officials are completely paid off. And the dives these "players" take!! Make the WWE look real! What a bunch of overpaid (@$&%(^@.

[WomenOnGuard]

08:49 AM on 06/28/2012

Spain rocks! Hope they become the champs! They might not be good with money, but they are great in soccer!

[gutenmorgen]

08:25 AM on 06/28/2012

How many shots on goal during the 90 minutes of regulation time would have scored if there had been no goalkeeper to stop these? Exactly one! By Spain in the 67-th minute. There was a later Portuguese free kick which ended up in the hands of the Spanish keeper but that was intended as a cross to a teammate. This statistic shows what a terribly poor game this was.

[Tblack]

08:42 AM on 06/28/2012

It was terrible. I don't think Portugal has a particularly strong team and I think Spain has barely survived at least two matches now. I think Portugal blew the game when their keeper managed a block and their next kicker got cute for some reason instead of going for more of a high percentage shot on goal.

[Absolute]

08:15 AM on 06/28/2012

"Still not pretty to watch"

Neither is the NFL. I still like the game.