Russia 0 - 3 Spain - Spain end 24-year wait for a place in final

Published on Friday 27 June 2008 00:12

A SENSATIONAL display saw Spain book their place in the final of a major tournament for the first time in 24 years, but Luis Aragones' side face a nervous wait to find out if David Villa will play any part in their showpiece Euro 2008 clash with Germany.

Goals from Xavi, Daniel Guiza and David Silva left Spanish supporters singing in the rain at Ernst Happel Stadium as Guus Hiddink's Russia were knocked out of the competition at the semi-final stage during another electrical storm in Vienna.

David Villa, the tournament's top scorer was replaced before the break after picking up a knock, but Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas came on and set up the final two goals and will now be pushing for a starting place under Aragones.

Aragones' success means the end of the road for Hiddink and Russia. The Dutchman insisted that winning or losing did not matter given the style in which they play but they simply ran out of steam in the second half.

Andrei Arshavin, who has been one of the players of the tournament and appears to be on the verge of a move to Barcelona, struggled to impose himself on the game.

Arshavin had been banned for the clash earlier in the tournament when Spain won 4-1, but Russia had since won in style three times on the spin, with their playmaker returning and scoring for the final two.

Hiddink, who drafted in Vasili Berezutski as Denis Kolodin was suspended, was already expected to be granted Russian citizenship for making history at this tournament, but the weight of expectation was with the Spaniards.

Fernando Torres and David Villa led the attack again in an unchanged line-up from their win over Italy, with Cesc Fabregas on the bench.

Arshavin enjoyed a few early touches – but it was Spain who created the first chances of the match.

Silva's lofted ball found Villa, who in turn slipped the ball inside to Fernando Torres.

The Liverpool striker out-muscled Sergei Ignashevich but his shot was saved by Igor Akinfeev with his legs. Villa tried himself in the 11th minute, sidestepping Ignashevich then unleashing a shot from the edge of the area that Akinfeev had to be down sharply to save.

Torres then had a penalty appeal turned down as he chased a ball over the top of the Russia defence. Ignashevich had his arm across Torres but Frank de Bleeckere ruled the Spaniard had fouled, with replays suggesting it was a harsh decision from the Belgium official.

With Vienna hit by storms the previous evening and during the afternoon before kick-off, players were sliding around in the teeming rain and lightning could be seen above the roof at the Ernst Happel Stadium.

The downpour made Russia's free-flowing style difficult to execute but they persisted in their efforts.

Roman Pavlyuchenko forced their first chance after Carles Puyol had lost a 50-50 ball 25 yards from goal.

The Russia striker curled his effort around defender Carlos Marchena, and Iker Casillas got the slightest of touches around the post.

Pavlyuchenko then chested down but poked wide under intense pressure from Marchena and Joan Capdevila.

Between Pavlyuchenko's efforts, Villa was forced off for Fabregas after picking up his knock earlier in the half – leaving Torres to lead the attack.

He had a glimpse of goal six minutes before the break but Akinfeev saved easily from his weak shot.

Xavi's opener came in the 50th minute from a move he started himself as he surged forward into the Russians' half of the field. The Barcelona midfielder slipped the ball left to Andres Iniesta and carried on his run into the penalty area.

Iniesta's ball split the Russia defence, finding his team-mate at close range from goal and his volleyed finish was stabbed through Akinfeev's legs, with Spain players wheeling away and roaring in celebration.

Torres could have doubled the lead when Fabregas slid him down the left flank – but the finish went over the crossbar.

Iniesta was trying to unlock Russia's defence again and his reverse ball found Fabregas forced wide but Aleksandr Anyukov headed wide when the cross was swung over.

Torres then had a couple of efforts, the first going wide at the near post and the second when he was found by Sergio Ramos but his comical finish saw him in two minds whether to go with head or boot.

Russia had not threatened since the restart and their frustration was illustrated by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's booking for a foul on Silva.

The win was sealed 17 minutes from time through Guiza, who replaced Torres six minutes before he struck. It was set up by Fabregas, who chipped delicately over the Russia defence, leaving Guiza to coolly lift the ball over Akinfeev.

Fabregas also set up Silva's goal, with the winger slotting home after Fabregas had raced down the left.

Guiza could have added a fourth but Akinfeev saved with his legs when the substitute ran through and got a shot away.

Russia: Akinfeev, Aniukov, Vasili Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Semak, Zyryanov, Semshov (Bilyaletdinov 56), Saenko (Sychev 57), Pavlyuchenko, Arshavin. Subs not used: Gabulov, Malafeev, Yanbaev, Berezutsky, Adamov, Ivanov, Shirokov, Bystrov. Booked: Zhirkov, Bilyaletdinov.

Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Capdevila, Iniesta, Xavi (Alonso 69), Senna, Silva, Villa (Fabregas 34), Torres (Guiza 69). Subs not used: Palop, Reina, Albiol, Navarro, Santi Cazorla, Garcia, Arbeloa, Juanito, De la Red.

Fabregas seizes his chance after Villa injury, to boost hopes of place in showdown

CESC Fabregas is in contention for a starting place for Spain in the Euro 2008 final against Germany after David Villa picked up an injury in the victory over Russia in the Ernst Happel Stadium.

Villa suffered a muscular problem while taking a free-kick and was replaced by Fabregas, with the Arsenal midfielder setting up two goals in the 3-0 win played during an electrical storm in Vienna.

Spain coach Luis Aragones admits playing with five midfielders and Fernando Torres in attack played a huge role in the victory in which Xavi, David Guiza and David Silva got the goals.

"With Cesc we had another midfielder and it was difficult to control," said Aragones. "I know how well he can perform, he is a great player like others in our squad.

"It's better for numbers and pressure and that is how Xavi scored his goal. The point is to make them feel free.

"Cesc is 21, he and other players have acquired the experience that you might have of an older player. This is something that matters for the 2008 tournament but I'm sure it will matter for the World Cup (in 2010) as well."

Fabregas added: "I am here when the manager needs me. It is good, we came here to win the tournament and we got to the final, which I think is the most difficult thing.

"In the final anything can happen, a lot of things can influence the game. Right now we enjoy tonight, the moment, then think about the game we are waiting for."

Aragones may have been talking about the World Cup qualifiers but he refused to be drawn on his own future, and whether he will join Fenerbahce, until after the final in Vienna on Sunday.

He revealed he has been getting advice from England about how difficult the Germans will be.

"Gary Lineker said that Germany can win against any team they play," Aragones said. "I know him because I was at Barcelona with him and he is a great guy."

Victory meant the end of the road for Guus Hiddink after guiding his Russia team to the last four, and he was satisfied with the progress his side made. "The disappointment of tonight is in our head, but when our emotions calm down we are very proud, not just the results but the way they have played," said the Dutchman.

"Of course after a game where we are defeated we are disappointed, that is logical. We could play with Spain for the first half and part of the second, there was still a game, but their plan to tire us led to our marking being loose in midfield so we had to run a lot.

"That is the moment they had the quality to strike. It is a very deserved win – it's very difficult to play against a team like that who can play one-touch football. I hope they play a good final."

Hiddink also felt an extra midfielder made the difference for Spain. "We could handle Torres and Villa in the first half okay, but with the change to a midfielder in there came more mobility," he said.

"It is difficult to play that and control it. They also do it at a rather quick pace. You can feel it and it's a matter of time, that's their class."

Meanwhile, Barcelona have made an offer to sign Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg. "We have received an official offer from Barcelona to buy Andrei but we will discuss it only after he returns from Euro 2008," Konstantin Sarsania, an adviser to Zenit's president, said.

Sarsania declined to give any details but media reports put the Spanish club's bid at 12 million.

A self-confessed Barcelona fan, Arshavin had a disappointing match last night but had caused a stir in the previous two matches with his clever runs and great vision. He helped transform a drab and defensive Russian side into an attractive attacking outfit.