Spain 0-0 Portugal in the Euro 2012 Semi-Final Match

Spain have consecutively progressed to their third major final after gaining a 4-2 penalty win against Portugal after a 0-0 score in the semi-final of the Euro 2012. The match took place in Donetsk with controversy and tactical debates rife before the start of the match as del Bosque picked Negredo to star in the line-up over Llorente, Torres and Fabregas. Even Sevilla fans were likely left a little confused by the decision. Portugal started the game well by pressing Spain to some success until there was a small breakdown early into the 9th minute. Alves won back the ball in the penalty area and passed over to Arbeloa who had a shot at goal but passed it high over the bar. It can't be said that the Spanish side was dominating the match at this point as Ronaldo was definitely proving a difficult target for Spain to deal with. Two charged runs down the left hand side failed to result in anything testworthy for Casillas with a wild volley and free kick inside the 25 minute mark. The Portuguese team continued to press Spain and neither side were able to hit the target after exploiting goal opportunities. Tickets for Spain's Euro 2012 title bid alongside tickets for Italy's Euro 2012 match and the Germany Euro 2012 match are available online if you want to attend one of the Euro 2012 Finals. Spain were showing a lot of discomfort in the first half as they had trouble trying to hold the ball as fans whistled at them. Moutinho and Meireles rarely had chance to settle before Ronaldo and Nani were forcing them back. In the 55th minute, Negredo was replaced with Fabregas and he led Spain to claim back the ball control which Spain had been lacking for most of the game. However, it was Portugal who claimed the first goal chance as Almeida took aim from 25 yards away and took aim once more just moments later. In the last minute, Portugal found themselves 4 against 1, but Ronaldo failed to connect solidly with the ball and hit way off the target in the last goal opportunity of normal play. Del Bosque's team dominated play during the 30 minutes of extra time, but no goal scoring happened pushing the game to finish with a penalty shoot-out. Fabregas booked Spain's place in the final by pushing the penalty score to 4-2 and will play either Italy on Spain on the 1st of July.