Superb Spain too strong for Russians
(CNN) — Superb Spain stormed into their first European Championship final in 24 years by rolling over Russia 3-0 in Vienna to set up a final against Germany on Sunday.
On another wet night, Luis Aragones’ men attacked throughout and scored second-half goals through Xavi, substitute Daniel Guiza and David Silva to claim their fifth win in as many games.
The outcome prevented the Russians, who lost 4-1 to Spain in their opening game, from making their first appearance in the final since the break-up of the Soviet Union.
Spain were on top at the Ernst Happel Stadion in the first half but had no goals to show for their efforts and, after losing the tournament’s leading goalscorer David Villa to injury in the 34th minute, their prospects did not look bright.
Arsenal playmaker Cesc Fabregas, who converted the winning spot-kick to beat Italy in a penalty shoot-out in the quarterfinal, came on and excelled just as Guiza did when he replaced Fernando Torres.
Spain almost took the lead after just five minutes when Villa fed Fernando Torres inside the area but the Liverpool striker’s close-range effort was parried away by goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
Russia weathered the early storm and began to grow in confidence, with Roman Pavlyuchenko hitting a powerful strike that went straight into the hands of Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Andres Iniesta missed a golden chance to put Spain in front in the 26th minute when he was unable to control Xavi’s clever pass into the area. Casillas then came to the rescue for Spain on the half-hour mark, diving full length to palm away Pavlyuchenko’s curled effort from the edge of the area.
