Ronaldo leads Portugal into the Semi’s against the Champions on June 27 at Ukraine’s Donbass Arena

As the Euro 2012 tournament closes in, the tension and excitement increases and the teams that remain intact are facing more challenges as the path to the top becomes narrower. The two teams that made it to the Semifinals, Spain and Portugal show signs of exhaustion but the determinations of each team remain and this will become apparent on the 27th.

Spain Preview

The Spaniards are the latest team to make it through the remaining four of the Euros after ousting France on the 24th with 2-0 victory. It was Xabi Alonso’s time to shine as the midfielder from Real Madrid scored during the 19th minute from the start of the match and another from the penalty spot. Coach Vicente Del Bosque focused on the team’s offensive side by reverting to the old system of using six midfielders. Their outright show of attack was extremely successful putting France on the defensive throughout the game.

However efficient they may have seemed during the match against France, Spain is showing signs of fatigue and drainage which is common amongst teams during the concluding end of a long football tournament. Mostly the veterans of the team such Inestia, Fabregas and Silva displayed signs of lacking sharpness and were unable to bank on many clear-cut chances. As the Semifinal game against Portugal nears, the boys of the “Red Fury” need to take advantage of the rest time as they have two days less of resting than the Portuguese.

Portugal Preview

Group runners-up, Portugal clinched a 1-0 victory over Group A’s top team, the Czech Republic that guaranteed Semifinal ticket on the 21st. Cristiano Ronaldo proved to be the savior as he scored the game’s solo goal on the 79th minute of the match. The Czech’s actually had a positive start but the Portuguese gradually asserted their domineering presence and the game became a one-sided affair by the second half. Both the teams had a similar record during the Group stage even though it was Portugal that was the more favorable of the two. This coming match-up against Spain has an advantage for Portugal, they have two more days of rest and recovery than the Spaniards who just finished off France on the 24th.

In order for Ronaldo and team to survive the upcoming match-up, they have two things that they really need to work on especially against a team such as the Spaniards, it’s both their defense and attack. It would be wise to say that adding an explosive nature to their attack would help the team. During the first half of the previous match against the Czechs, the Portuguese were constantly on the defensive and there were many close calls in the opposing team’s favor. Their assertive side developed slowly in the game and it wasted a lot of time. Also, their defense needs some upgrading that will protect them from Spain’s aggressive style of attack.

Spain vs Portugal Predictions: Spain wins 2-0

The Spaniards seem to have many of the traits that a winning team should possess. They are truly dynamic in nature, showing the ability to adapt to the style of the opponent plus coach Del Bosque is a brilliant tactician. The Spaniards are more aggressive when compared to the other teams and their defensive records are decent. The Portuguese are usually slow to take possession and this upcoming match is going to be a race for domination. The team that takes the offensive first will most likely win.

Euro Cup 2012 Highlights: Fabregas Comes Up Big, Sends Spain To The Finals

Spain's 'Tiki Taka' passing was off-tempo at the Donbass Arena but the holders, unable to hurt Portugal in 120 minutes of stalemate, broke their hearts in a penalty shootout to reach the final of Euro 2012 on Wednesday.

Substitute Cesc Fabregas converted the winning spot-kick, off the inside of the post, to set off wild celebrations from the Spanish players.

"When I stepped up to take the penalty I said to the ball that we had to make history and that it shouldn't let me down," said an ecstatic Fabregas after Spain's 4-2 spot-kick victory following a 0-0 draw after extra time.

For Portugal, who had fought hard all night, questions will be asked why their top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo did not take a kick as they fell to their third semi-final defeat in four appearances at the stage.

Portugal had won their previous two penalty shootouts in major tournament matches.

But coach Paulo Bento was proud of the way his team went toe-to-toe with the world champions, even outdoing them in terms of possession.

"If I had to choose a way of losing I wouldn't choose this way... Spain is a great team but we can leave with our heads high," he said.

"We can be sure that we can compete with any team at any tournament."

Spain have now equaled West Germany's European record from the early 1970s by reaching three consecutive major tournament finals and victory in Kiev on Sunday would make them the first team to win three in a row.

But the watching Germans and Italians, who meet in Warsaw on Thursday, will have taken heart from a below-par performance from the Spaniards against a pressing Portugal team.

The aura of invincibility that once surrounded them has gradually faded in this tournament and while they still remain the team to beat, their 'Tiki Taka' passing did not hurt Portugal.

"We can argue about whether we played well or not but what we cannot dispute is that the defense was excellent," said Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque.

Indeed the Spanish back-line have now kept a clean sheet in their last nine knockout stage matches in the World Cup and European Championship.

The lack of effectiveness for Spain was further down the field with surprise selection Alvaro Negredo making little impact in attack and the midfield missing their usual sharpness.

After a lively opening half hour, with both teams looking to get forward, the game gradually fizzled out and it was no surprise when the outcome had to be decided by penalties.

Xabi Alonso was first up for Spain and Portugal keeper Rui Patricio got down well to push his effort wide but then his opposite number Iker Casillas did likewise to save from Joao Moutinho.

The ball finally got in the net - after 120 minutes and two penalties - when Andres Iniesta scored with trademark composure but the contest turned when Portugal missed their fourth penalty when Bruno Alves struck the bar.

Alves had walked to take the third kick before being called away by Nani who converted his effort and that change only added to the mystery as to why Ronaldo was not used.

The Real Madrid winger was penciled in for the fifth kick but after Fabregas' fortunate conversion off the posts, there was to be no fifth penalty.

"We had this plan and if it would have been 4-4 and he would taken the last penalty we would be talking in a different way," said Bento, who conceded there had been some confusion between Nani and Alves.

While the shootout provided most of the thrills, the two teams had suggested they might produce an exciting encounter from the outset.

Spain threatened twice in the opening half hour with Alvaro Arbeloa and Iniesta going close while at the other end Ronaldo fired a shot just past the post.

Ronaldo had a rare chance in the final minute of normal time but, after being fed by Raul Meireles after a fast counter-attack, he fired high and wide.

Patricio produced an excellent save to foil a close-range effort from Iniesta late in the first period of extra-time but it was no surprise when the contest had to be determined by penalties.

Portugal have never won a semi-final in a major tournament on foreign soil - their only triumph coming in 2004 when they hosted the tournament and were beaten by Greece in the final.

EURO 2012: Spain vs Portugal Timeline

• The penalty shootout is over. The final score is 2-4.
• Cesc Fabregas (Spain) scores from the penalty spot.
• Bruno Alves (Portugal) fails to convert his penalty!
• Sergio Ramos (Spain) succeeds from the penalty spot.
• Nani (Portugal) scores!
• Gerard Pique (Spain) succeeds from the penalty spot.
• Pepe (Portugal) converts his penalty!
• Andres Iniesta (Spain) scores from the penalty spot.
• Joao Moutinho (Portugal) misses his penalty attempt!
• A devastated Xabi Alonso (Spain) misses and walks back to his team mates.
• We are now ready for the penalty shootout!
• The match goes to penalties!
• 117' - Cuneyt Cakir blows against Spain's Andres Iniesta for offside.
• 114' - Corner awarded to Spain.
• 113' - Xabi Alonso (Spain) has been booked and must now be careful not to get a second yellow card.
• 112' - Portugal make their Third substitution with Silvestre Varela replacing Raul Meireles.
• 111' - Spain drive forward and Jesus Navas gets in a shot. Without netting, however.
• 110' - Cesc Fabregas (Spain) is given an opening but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 106' - The second extra period is now underway.
• 106' - Custodio is replacing Miguel Veloso for Portugal at Donbass Arena.
• 105' - Spain's Sergio Ramos breaks free at Donbass Arena. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 104' - Spain have been awarded a corner by Cuneyt Cakir. Cesc Fabregas steps up to take it.
• 104' - In Donetsk Spain drive forward through Andres Iniesta. His shot is on target but it's saved.
• 102' - Cuneyt Cakir has awarded Spain a corner. Cesc Fabregas takes the kick from the Right.
• 102' - At Donbass Arena Cesc Fabregas (Spain) takes a corner from the Right.
• 101' - Spain’s Pedro is on his feet again at Donbass Arena.
• 100' - The match at Donbass Arena is underway again.
• 100' - Play has been interrupted briefly in Donetsk to check on Pedro, who is grimacing with pain.
• 96' - In Donetsk, Andres Iniesta of Spain is presented with a shooting opportunity. But the strike is blocked by the covering defence.
• 91' - Spain's Pedro is whistled for offside at Donbass Arena.
• 91' - The first extra period is just kicking-off.
• 90+3' - It's 2-4 at the end of normal time.
• 90+2' - Miguel Veloso (Portugal) gets a yellow card.
• 90+1' - Spain have been awarded a corner by Cuneyt Cakir. Xabi Alonso steps up to take it.
• 90' - The fourth official's board shows 3 minutes, which will be added to the Second half.
• 90' - Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 87' - Vicente del Bosque is making the team's Third substitution at Donbass Arena with Pedro replacing Xavi.
• 86' - Bruno Alves (Portugal) has been booked and must now be careful not to get a second yellow card.
• 84' - In Donetsk Portugal attack through Cristiano Ronaldo. The finish is off target, however.
• 84' - Alvaro Arbeloa (Spain) gets a yellow card.
• 84' - Portugal push forward at Donbass Arena and Cristiano Ronaldo gets in a strike. This is blocked, however, by a determined Spain defence.
• 81' - Nelson Oliveira is on a sub for Hugo Almeida for Portugal.
• 78' - In Donetsk Spain attack through Cesc Fabregas. The finish is off target, however.
• 76' - Cuneyt Cakir has awarded Portugal a corner. Nani takes the kick from the Right.
• 73' - Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 68' - Portugal's Hugo Almeida gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 68' - Spain's Xavi is on target but unsuccessful.
• 65' - In Donetsk Xavi for Spain takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 64' - Joao Pereira (Portugal) has received a first yellow card.
• 62' - Spain's Xabi Alonso is back in action after a slight knock.
• 62' - Play is underway once more.
• 61' - Play has been temporarily suspended for attention to Xabi Alonso for Spain who is writhing in pain on the pitch.
• 61' - Pepe (Portugal) gets a yellow card.
• 60' - Vicente del Bosque (Spain) is making a Second substitution, with Jesus Navas replacing David Silva.
• 60' - Sergio Busquets (Spain) has been booked and must now be careful not to get a second yellow card.
• 59' - Hugo Almeida for Portugal is whistled offside.
• 59' - Hugo Almeida of Portugal gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 57' - Portugal are pushing forward but Hugo Almeida's finish is wide of the goal.
• 57' - Corner awarded to Portugal.
• 54' - Spain make their First substitution with Cesc Fabregas replacing Alvaro Negredo.
• 53' - At Donbass Arena Joao Moutinho (Portugal) takes a corner from the Right.
• 52' - Spain's Sergio Ramos has run offside.
• 51' - Cuneyt Cakir has awarded Spain a corner. Xavi takes the kick from the Left .
• 46' - The second-half is underway at Donbass Arena.
• 45+1' - The ref's whistle signals the end of the first-half.
• 45' - Fabio Coentrao for Portugal has been booked by Cuneyt Cakir and receives a first yellow card.
• 41' - Sergio Ramos (Spain) has received a first yellow card.
• 40' - Spain drive upfield and Alvaro Negredo gets in a shot. The strike is blocked by a Portugal defender.
• 37' - Nani has recovered and rejoins the match in Donetsk.
• 36' - The match is underway again.
• 35' - Attention is being given to Portugal’s Nani and play has been suspended briefly.
• 32' - Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo misses with an attempt on goal.
• 29' - Spain are pushing forward but Andres Iniesta's finish is wide of the goal.
• 25' - In Donetsk Portugal's Hugo Almeida is caught offside.
• 24' - Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 17' - Corner awarded to Portugal.
• 17' - Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gets in a shot but it is blocked by a Spain defender.
• 10' - Spain are coming forward and Andres Iniesta gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 9' - Spain's Alvaro Arbeloa breaks free at Donbass Arena. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 2' - Portugal have been awarded a corner by Cuneyt Cakir. Raul Meireles steps up to take it.
• 2' - In Donetsk Miguel Veloso for Portugal takes a corner from the Right-hand flag.
• 2' - Important block from the Spain defence as Miguel Veloso fires in a strike for Portugal.
• 1' - Today's referee, Cuneyt Cakir, has blown to start the match.

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