David Villa was one of Spain's best, but even he couldn't stop the match going to penalties [AFP]

Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal midfielder, coolly slotted home the decisive penalty with Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas saving two of Italy's spot kicks, after 120 minutes of play yielded no goals from both teams.

Spain became the only Euro 2008 group winners to reach the final four after Portugal, Croatia and Netherlands were knocked out of the tournament by Germany, Turkey and Russia respectively.

The match at the Ernst Happel stadium was an eagerly anticipated affair, but it developed into a cagey encounter with Spain frustrated by an Italy side who were content to defend and hit on the counter.

David Silva managed to break the Italy back four in the first half, but his shot deflected off a defender and ballooned into the hands of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, while Fernando Torres lashed over the bar after being put clear by David Villa.

Buffon was seriously tested on 25 minutes when Villa fired in a low free kick, while Silva drove two shots past the post late in the half.

The Italian attacking threat was largely confined to set pieces with Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Cassano trying to find lone target man Luca Toni with lofted crosses into the area but the big striker never managed to get a clean header.

Spain continued to dominate after the break but were unable to threaten the goal, as coach Luis Aragones sent Fabregas and Santi Cazorla into the mix just before the hour to try and change the course of the game.

No goals

Mauro Camoranesi, Italy substitute, almost gave Italy the lead moments later, but his fierce close-range shot was brilliantly saved by Iker Casillas with his feet after a goalmouth scramble.

Marcos Senna, Spain midfielder, almost won it in regulation time when Buffon fumbled his powerful long-range drive although the keeper was able to gather the ball after it rebounded off the post.

However neither team could break the 0-0 deadlock and it became the third quarter-final to go to extra time, and eventually the second to go to penalties after Turkey defeated Croatia 3-1 on spot-kicks on Friday.

The semi-final schedule is now complete, with Germany taking on Turkey in Basel on Wednesday and Russia meeting Spain in Vienna on Thursday.

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