Spain reached the semi-finals of Euro 2008 after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over world champions Italy at the Ernst-Happel Stadium on Sunday.
Iker Casillas saved spot-kicks from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale after a goalless 120 minutes before Cesc Fabregas slid the winning penalty past Gianluigi Buffon.
Casillas, who had kept his side on level terms with a fine save with his feet from Mauro Camoranesi, helped Spain end a string of three straight penalty shoot-out defeats on June 22 in major tournaments - in the 1986 World Cup, Euro 96 and the 2002 World Cup.
Luis Aragones' men now take on surprise package Russia on Thursday in Vienna.
Aragones praised Spain's attitude after the match.
"I would like to congratulate first of all my players for their remarkable behaviour and maintaining their morale during the match," said the 69-year-old.
"It was very difficult because the Italians closed down all the spaces, which made it difficult to play our natural game."
Arsenal midfielder Fabregas was delighted after the game and admitted the players owed it to themselves and their fans after so often falling at the quarter-final stages.
"This is wonderful, it is impossible to find the words to express such an emotion," said Fabregas.
"We are just simply delighted. This is an important victory for this young side. We have been waiting for this for a long time."
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni was understandably disappointed after seeing his side crash out of the tournament.
"Clearly losing on penalties after working so hard doesn't leave us happy," said Donadoni.
"We all spent a lot of energy. You've got to recall those who didn't play tonight. They've got to be the most disappointed, and I'm sorry for them."
Donadoni denied suggestions his side played negatively throughout the game saying he was happy with the contribution of his forwards.
"The forwards did their jobs," Donadoni added. "Even though they didn't score goals, they did some positive things."
source : www.sportinglife.com
