Spain knocked Italy out of the Euro 2008 tournament in a quarterfinal penalty shoot-out that saw a reversal of both team's past form on penalties.
In the shoot-out it was De Rossi of Italy who missed first from the spot, followed by Spain's Guiza. Then Italy missed again courtesy of Di Natale, leaving Fabregas to hit the back of the net, taking Spain into the semifinals where they will meet Russia.
Both sides were quite evenly matched during the game. But if the Italians could have got points for trying to stop creative football then they would have won the game in the first half. Only as the game went on, did the play start to open up.
The Spanish have lost penalty shoot-outs three times before on exactly the same date—on 22nd June in 1986, '96 and '02.
The Spanish manager Luis Aragones is the oldest manager in the tournament at seventy years old, but has one of the youngest sides, in contrast to Alberto Dondoni's Italian team—which is one of the oldest in Euro 2008
The starting line up for Spain was the same as the one that saw the storming start in their first two games.
Spain had a lot of the possession but were unable to create any real danger as the Italian were quick to get men behind the ball. On the break the Azzuri looked the most dangerous and Carles Puyol has his work cut out with Luca Toni and Simone Perrotta.
After 10 minutes the game started to heat up. Fernando Torres was given same harsh words from the referee but escaped a yellow card for a tackle from behind which was harmless as seen from the replay. A couple of minutes later Andres Iniesta got a yellow card for a tackle on Fabio Grosso.
Near the 20 minute mark a long cross was directed in towards the Spanish goal and Simone Perrotta towered above the opposition's back four, clearly exposing the shorter centre backs.
On the half hour Massimo Ambrosini received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
Ten minutes before the second half Toni popped up to find himself unmarked in the six-yard box but failed to get a clean connection on the ball with a header.
Silva then made a great run on the right of the midfield and powered a low short inches wide of the left post.
Silva then again had another chance, making a run down the right wing, sold the defender just outside the area, but then got taken down. The referee didn't see it as a foul, and play continued, much to the well-voiced dismay of the crowd.
Silva, along with Xavi Hernandez, showed the most creativity before half time.
After the break Silva again showed some promise, twisting and turning in the opposition's penalty area.
Torres, who had not played a big part in the game, capitalized by barging off Gianluca Zambrotta from the ball and heading toward goal. But his square ball to Villa was intercepted.
On the hour Spain took off Iniesta and Hernandez and brought on Csec Frabrigas and Santi Cazorla.
Mauro Camaronesi also came on as a substitute. He had barely been on the pitch two minutes when he found the ball at his feet in the Spanish area. His ensuing shot initiated a great save from Iker Casillas. This would be Italy's best scoring chance of the game.
The changes to the teams opened up the game teams. A bullish Camaronesi broke up the short sharp passing of the Spanish midfielders, giving the Azzuri more driving force in the midfield.
At 70 minutes, Villa tore down the left wing and took a sharp turn in the air but slipped, and referee booked him for simulation (diving).
Ten minute from full time saw Marcos Senna blast a free kick 30 yards—but it was straight at the keeper Gianluigi Buffon. Shortly after, Senna blasted another. This time Buffon could not keep hold of the ball, which slipped past him, but bounced off the post and back to the keeper again.
Spain used up all of their subs, taking off striker Fernando Torres with just five minutes left, bringing on Daniel Guiza.
Silva had another shot go desperately wide after some great attacking movement by Casillas. He then defended against an Italian break, tipping over a header which would have hit the bar.
In the second half of extra time Alessandro Del Piero was brought on for Alberto Aquilani.
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