Spain beat Italy 4-2 on penalties on Sunday to reach the Euro 2008 semi-finals and in so doing break a number of painful hoodoos.The match took on a predictable pattern in the first half with Italy defending determinedly and Spain overplaying the passes and underplaying the necessity. Italy had the first shot on target when Massimo Ambrosini crossed for Simone Perrotta but his header lacked power.
David Villa had a shot blocked by De Rossi before Gianluigi Buffon got down quickly saving his free-kick. Fernando Torres then beat two men on Spain's left but De Rossi, again, was there to block before David Silva sent the follow-up just wide.
Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved penalties from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale before Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas buried the winning spot-kick after the match had ended 0-0 after extra-time.
Spain will play Russia in Thursday's semi-final here, having already.
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