The first half of extra time began and it was evident for everyone watching that Portugal were beginning to tire. Spain pressed through the usual suspects in midfield with Iniesta a particular threat. No chances came for a while however with just a couple of minutes left to play, the speedy left back Jordi Alba went on a mazy run to the by-line and managed to drag back a cross for Iniesta, whose shot was heading in before it was saved superbly by Rui Patricio in the Portugal goal. This was the first real text for either keeper.
The half came to an end with Sergio Ramos firing just over from a free-kick that he struck powerfully.
After the obligatory drinks during the half time break, the players gathered again for the second half of the extra time period. The drinks however appeared to have done nothing for Portugal as they continued to tire against the renewed pace of the Spanish game. So, at this stage, it appeared as if Portugal would try and survive for a penalty shootout.
Around halfway through the half, Portugal made their final change with Silvestre Varela on for the drained figure of Raul Meireles, the Portugal midfield had been punished for the final 40 minutes of the game and Meireles probably suffered the most.
After 22 minutes of the extra period, it appeared as if penalties beckoned, however Fabregas got hold of the ball and put Pedro through, alone, with seemingly only the keeper ahead of him, however a good defensive effort from Coentrao prevented him from getting a shot away.
The extra time finished with Spain pressing but not creating the chances they needed to score. Therefore, for the second consecutive match at the Championships, it was Penalties that would decide the fate of the two teams.
The Penalties began, and the first two passed in much the same way as normal time did, without a goal, as both keepers saved. The next couple of penalties were scored by each side before a bizarre moment arrived, Bruno Alves stepped up to take a penalty, only for Nani to jog forward and send him back, Nani scored and Sergio Ramos replicated Andrea Pirlo and chipped his down the middle of the goal. It was then the chance for Alves to finally take his chance, and he fired it directly into the bar. Therefore, Cesc Fabregas had the chance to send Spain through to their third consecutive major tournament final, and he did it, hitting the post and going into the net behind in a euphoric moment for the Spanish.
Overall, as very few chances were created by either team, the result is a fair one. They couldnt be separated over 120 minutes of Football, and in the end, the bizarre swapping of Nani and Bruno Alves in the order of penalties meant Alves never looked confident and could have been the deciding factor. Spain faced pressing from the Portuguese in the first half, but after that, they were comfortable, the second half had little action but they totally dominated the extra time period and looked the better side. Fabregas wins it for Spain, by a post.
Penalties:
Spain - Alonso (Saved), Iniesta (Scored), Pique (Scored), Ramos (Scored), Fabregas (Scored)
Portugal - Moutinho (Saved), Pepe (Scored), Nani (Scored), Alves (Missed)
Player Ratings -
Spain - Casillas (7), Arbeloa (6), Ramos (8), Pique (7), Alba (8), Busquets (6), Alonso (6), Xavi (6), Iniesta (7), Silva (5), Negredo (5), Subs - Fabregas (6), Navas (6), Pedro (6)
Portugal - Patricio (8), Pereira (7), Pepe (7), Alves (6), Coentrao (8), Veloso (6), Meireles (6), Moutinho (8), Nani (7), Ronaldo (6), Almeida (6), Subs - Oliveira (5), Custodio (5), Varela (on late)
Man of the Match - Fabio Coentrao
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