Spain 0 - 0 Italy

Spain beat Italy in penalty shootout

Updated: June 22, 2008, 8:00 AM UK

Spain reached the semi-finals of Euro 2008 after a penalty shoot-out victory over world champions Italy at the Ernst-Happel Stadium.

Iker Casillas saved spot-kicks from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale after a goalless 120 minutes before Cesc Fabregas slid the winning penalty past Gianluigi Buffon.

Cassillas, who had kept his side on level terms with a fine save with his feet from Mauro Camoranesi, helped Spain end a string of three straight penalty shoot-out defeats on June 22 in major tournaments - in the 1986 World Cup, Euro 96 and the 2002 World Cup.

Luis Aragones' men are the only team in the last four to have won all of their games in the tournament and now take on surprise package Russia on Thursday in Vienna.

Italy won the 2006 World Cup on penalties against France but Buffon - the hero that day - was overshadowed by the impressive Casillas this time.

The Italy keeper had kept his side in the competition in the group stages when he saved Adrian Mutu's spot-kick against Romania and threatened to do so again when he denied Daniel Guiza with Spain's fourth penalty.

But Casillas, who had already flung himself to his right to palm away De Rossi's effort, then kept out Di Natale's weak effort to hand the advantage back to Spain.

And Arsenal youngster Fabregas kept his cool to send Buffon the wrong way and give his side a 4-2 shoot-out win.

Having rested all but one of his regulars in their 2-1 triumph against Greece, Spain coach Luis Aragones lined up his strongest team, with tournament top scorer David Villa playing alongside Fernando Torres in attack.

The absence of Andrea Pirlo hindered the Azzurri, who missed the magic touch of the AC Milan playmaker.

Spain dominated possession in the early stages and had the first chance in the eighth minute with David Silva playing a one-two with Villa before his shot took a deflection from Daniele De Rossi and went straight to the hands of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Torres wasted a good chance to break the deadlock in the 17th minute when his cross was way off target with Villa and Xavi waiting in the box.

Italy finally had their first effort on goal in the 18th minute, with Simone Perrotta latching onto Massimo Ambrosini's cross but his header proved an easy catch for Casillas.

Midway through the first half Villa's powerful free-kick towards the far post forced Buffon into action.

Buffon's next save was all the more impressive as he was forced to fully stretch to save Silva's left-footed strike from the edge of the area on the half-hour mark.

Luca Toni should have broken the deadlock shortly after but his header from Antonio Cassano's cross hit Carlos Marchena.

Spanish fans demanded a penalty after Fabio Grosso brought down Silva but the referee did well to play on as the tackle happened just outside the area.

Villa then set up Xavi, who fired wide in what was the last chance of an uninspiring opening half.

Spain picked up where they left off after the re-start and Giorgio Chiellini made a crucial tackle inside the area on Silva who tried to punish the Italians for a defensive error.

Villa then wasted a good chance when his cross went off target with Torres waiting in the box.

Donadoni made his first substitution before the hour mark, with Mauro Camoranesi replacing Perrotta in an attempt to give the Azzurri a spark up front.

Aragones replied by sending on Santi Cazorla and Fabregas for Xavi and Iniesta.

Italy had the best chance in the 62nd minute with Camoranesi's close-range strike forcing Casillas to make a desperate foot clearance after confusion in the box.

Marcos Senna warmed the hands of Buffon with a stinging free-kick with 11 minutes remaining.

Soon after, Buffon tried to collect a shot from Silva but the ball bounced out of his grasp. The goalkeeper scrambled toward the goalline to get the ball and fortunately, it struck the post before staying out.

Aragones made his last substitution with five minutes remaining in regular time with Daniel Guiza replacing Torres.

Zambrotta made a vital clearance with Villa ready to hit the target from Fabregas' brilliant cross, but there was no way of avoiding extra time.

Silva fired inches wide after Chiellini had blocked Fabregas' powerful strike inside the area after the re-start.

Italy kept up the pressure and twice had the chance to break the deadlock.

Casillas made an acrobatic save from Di Natale's close-range header while Toni nodded the ball over the crossbar as the Azzurri got closer.

Buffon was forced to come off his line to clear Villa's close-range effort while Cazorla fired wide instead of passing to the unmarked Villa at the far post as penalties were required.