Reigning champions Spain will get the chance to defend their title after beating Portugal 4-2 on penalties in the Euro 2012 semi-finals to reach the final.
After the game was deadlocked 0-0 after 120 minutes, Iker Casillas saved one penalty and Portugal’s Bruno Alves struck the crossbar, setting up Cesc Fabregas hitting the winner in the all—Iberian battle in front of 48,000 spectators at Donetsk’s Donbass Arena.
Spain — the first winners to return to the final since West Germany in 1976 when they lost on penalties to Czechoslovakia — will now face the winner of Thursday’s semi—final between Germany and Italy in Sunday’s final in Kiev.
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The Spanish — into their fourth final after victory in 1964 and loss to France in 1984 — still have a chance to become the first team to defend their Euro title, and with it become the first nation to take three straight major titles.