Spain reached their third major tournament final in a row after a penalty shootout victory over Portugal.
The game itself was quite a dour, goalless affair. Spain once again had the majority of possession but didn't give Rui Patricio , in the Portugal goal, much to worry about.
Spain lined up with Alvaro Negredo in attack but he didn’t see much of the ball and was subbed in the second half.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the danger man for Portugal but once again he failed to bring his shooting boots. The Real Madrid man had seven shots on goal but was unable to get any of them on target. He had a superb chance to win the tie for Portugal but his shot went high and wide of Iker Casillas’ goal.
The game was quite bad tempered and by the end nine players were given a yellow card by referee, Cuneyt Cakir of Turkey.
Portugal deserve a lot of credit for their work off the ball. They pressed the Spanish high up the pitch and forced them to make errors. Spain were unable to get into their usual flow and Portugal were able to keep them out quite comfortably in the 90 minutes of normal time.
It wasn’t until extra-time that Portugal began to tire and Spain managed to create a few openings. Andres Iniesta and Jesus Navas were both denied by good goalkeeping from Rui Patricio.
Spain were unable to find the breakthrough and the game went to a penalty shootout.
Both goalkeepers got off to a good start with saves from Xabi Alonso and Joao Moutinho, respectively. The next four penalties were taken by Iniesta, Pepe, Pique and Nani. All four were converted and the score was 2-2 after each side had taken 3 penalties.
Real Madrids, Sergio Ramos stepped up to take Spain's fourth penalty & in true Andrea Pirlo fashion, he dinked the ball straight down the middle to give Spain a 3-2 lead. It was very gutsy, especially when you consider the last penalty he hit, in the Champions League Semi-Final defeat to Bayern Munich, is still orbiting in the earth's atmosphere somewhere.
Portugal's fourth penalty taker was Bruno Alves. Alves had stepped up to take the third penalty only to be called back by Nani. When he eventually stepped up to take one he looked a very nervous man & blasted his kick off the bar.
This left Cesc Fabregas with the simple task of, score and it's another Final for Spain. Cesc stepped up & although it wasn't the best connection, the ball hit the inside of the post & went across the line.
Spain have been far from their best in this competition & I believe the man responsible for that is manager, Vicente del Bosque. It seems to me, Spain have reached the Final despite him & definitely not because of him. I don't think he knows what the best formation or system is for Spain. He has been changing back and forward between the false number 9 style & playing a recognised striker. He has changed it during most matches & Spain have suffered due to his uncertainties.
However, Spain do find themselves in yet another Final & only a fool would rule them out of retaining their European crown. They can become the first side to win three consecutive major tournaments & no matter who they meet in the Final, Spain will be a very difficult side to beat.
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