Spain scores three second-half goals to beat Russia 3-0

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-27  |     ONLINE EDITION

1/3   Spain's Xavi Hernandez celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the semifinal match between Russia and Spain in Vienna, Austria, yesterday, at the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships in Austria and Switzerland. More in photo gallery

---

SPAIN scored three second-half goals yesterday to beat Russia 3-0 and reach the European Championship final, giving the team a chance to shed its status as football's biggest chokers.

Xavi Hernandez, Dani Guiza and David Silva scored a goal each to give the Spaniards a shot at their second European title when they play Germany on Sunday at Ernst Happel Stadium.

Spain, which won the 1964 European tournament, had ended its run of five quarterfinal defeats by beating Italy in a penalty shootout Sunday, but it confirmed its title aspirations with its penetrative passing on a slick surface in the pouring rain against Russia.

"It was difficult, especially the first half. I think it was an extraordinary second half," Spain coach Luis Aragones said. "That's what we wanted, to be in the final. But there's an adversary called Germany, that is going to be interesting."

Spain is likely to face Germany without striker David Villa, who was injured while taking a free kick in the first half. Villa, the tournament's leading scorer with four goals, limped off the field and was replaced by Cesc Fabregas in the 34th minute.

"Villa will miss the final," said Aragones, who is expected to take over at Fenerbahce after the tournament. "It's not serious, but he'll miss the final because he has a pull."

Xavi scored the first goal in the 50th after an exchange of passes with Andres Iniesta, who eluded one defender before crossing the ball into the box for Xavi to side-foot past goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev.

Two Spanish substitutes combined to make it 2-0 in the 73rd. Fabregas flicked a ball over the top and Guiza finished with the outside of his right foot high into the net. Fabregas then slid a pass through for an unmarked Silva inside the box in the 82nd and he scored.

"The team pushed on and I think we dominated the match. I'm very happy about being in the final," said Iniesta, who was voted man of the match. "It's a match that we want to win."