Spain Dominates Russia to Make It Through to Euro 2008 Final

A thundery night in Vienna saw the two youngest sides in the Euro 2008 tournament go head to head. Three goals in the second half from Xavi Hernández, Danny Güiza and David Silva saw Spain into their first final of a major tournament in 24 years.

The people of Spain seem to be especially interested in the Euro 2008 finals. Spain's previous game, where Cesc Fàbregas scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out with Italy, was reportedly the most watched event on Spanish TV.

On this night Spain played the most inspired football and deserved the win. Russian coach Guus Hiddink is sometimes called "International Rescue" for his record of turning around international sides' performances, but his run has come to an end.

The first 10 minutes showed Spain with the upper hand. Torres broke down the right wing and crossed a ball but Sergio Ramos was unable to reach it with a diving header.

Villa belted a shot from 25, which was pushed away by the Russian keeper.

15 minutes into the game the rain became hard, which affected the bounce of the ball and the flow of the game.

By the half-hour mark Spain was dominating the play. Ramos was noticeable in his eagerness to push forward.

Villa, after taking a free kick, picked up a strain on his leg and was then replaced by Cesc Fàbregas. As a result of his injury Villas will now miss the final.

Spanish forward Daniel Güiza (R) taps the ball past Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev to score during the Euro 2008 championships semi-final football. (Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images)

Coming up to halftime the Russians had more possession time, but did not show much of a threat in the last third. By now the rain, which threatened to spoil the game, had died down.

Just as the second half got moving, Andrés Iniesta drove a low hard cross to the centre of the Russian box and Xavi Hernández stuck his leg out and got a strong connection. Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev had no chance.

Ramos continued to cause difficulties for the Russian defense and supplied some good balls to Torres, but no clear-cut chances.

Hernández and Torres were taken off for Xabi Alonso and Danny Güiza with 20 minutes to go.

Güiza converted a pass from Fàbregas at the 72-minute mark to secure Spain's lead.

A well-weighted long ball from Iniesta found Fàbregas on the left wing who then ran round the ball, glanced over, and then picked out David Silva, who slotted the ball in on the near post to make sure there was no way back for the Russians.