Spain advance to final defeating Portugal in penalty shootout

Spain advanced to final defeating Portugal 4-2 in the penalty shootout in the first semi-final match of the Euro Cup 2012 on Thursday.

Though Spain’s passing was not up to the par throughout the match, generating bare opportunities, they thrashed the opponent even though Portugal held the match to a goalless draw in the normal and additional extra time.

In the second half, Portugal also got some of the best opportunities to score but Ronaldo’s free kicks went over the net.

In the extra time, Spain generated a number of brilliant opportunities but Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio made incredible saves to keep the team's chances of making it to the finals alive.

In the penalty shootout, both the teams’s players failed to score in their first strikes as Spain’s Xabi Alonso’s strike was stopped by Patricio while Spanish goalie Iker Casillas answered with a save on Joao Moutinho.

Likewise, Spain's Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Fabregas scored to secure victory while Nani and Pepe scored for Portugal before Bruno Alves hit the crossbar.

Spain now will take on the winner of the match between Germany and Italy.

Spain have defeated Germany twice in the last two competitive meetings; one in the 2008 Euro Cup Final and one in the 2010 World Cup Semi-Final.

They have never defeated Italy in regulation of competitive play and tied them 1-1 in the group stage of the 2012 Euro Cup, reports Reuters. nepalnews.com