Thu Jun 26 16:59:37 2008

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Lucky 21: Spain advances to Euro final

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Vienna, Austria (Sports Network) - Xavi Hernandez, Daniel Guiza and David Silva scored in the second half as Spain defeated Russia, 3-0, on Thursday to extend its unbeaten streak to 21 games to advance to the Euro 2008 final.

Spain's streak includes 11 straight wins and it advanced to the Euro final for the first time since 1984. Spain plays Germany in the final on Sunday.

Spain defeated Russia, 4-1, when the teams played in the first game in Group D, but the Russians were impressive in their last three games to set up Thursday's rematch in the semifinal at soggy Ernst Happel Stadium.

But after a scoreless first half - Spain led the first match 2-0 at half - Xavi scored five minutes into the second half and Guiza and Silva locked up the win.

Russia, which defeated the Netherlands 3-1 in the quarterfinals, never got its offense on track against Spain even with star Andrey Arshavin in the lineup for the rematch. Russia's first shot on goal was with just a few minutes remaining.

Spain sensation Fernando Torres had the first good scoring chance in the match, but his weak shot from just a few yards toward the right post was knocked away by Russian goalie Igor Akinfeev in the sixth minute.

Russia had its only good scoring chances of the first half on shots from Roman Pavlyuchenko, who had three goals in his first four Euro matches.

Pavlyuchenko's first shot was off a free kick in the 25th minute that was high. His second chance from outside the penalty area was tipped wide by Spain goalie Iker Casillas in the 31st although it was going wide. He poked his third chance wide of the left post from just a few yards in the 35th.

Spain was forced to adjust its lineup less than 35 minutes into the match after David Villa, who scored a hat trick in Spain's 4-1 win the group stage, had to leave with an injury that will keep him out of the final. Cesc Fabregas came in for him and Spain switched back to its more traditional five-midfielder set.

Torres, now playing as Spain's lone striker, had one more scoring chance before halftime when he settled the ball deep in the area with his right foot but shot weakly with his left foot. Akinfeev easily scooped up the ball for his fifth save of the half.

Spain broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half when Xavi made a run into the area to redirect a shot from Andres Iniesta past Akinfeev.

Iniesta had the ball on the left side of the area and set up a shot toward the far post. With the ball headed well wide of the right post, Xavi charged in and volleyed the ball almost directly past Akinfeev, who had to chance to react to the redirection.

Russia fell behind for the first time since Villa put Spain ahead in the first match of the group stage.

Spain nearly punished Russia with another goal two minutes later but Torres was unable to direct the ball on goal and missed high.

Russia made two quick substitutions after the goal and Torres' misfire, but adding Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Dmitri Sychev to the mix didn't spark the team and the attack-minded Russians continued to struggle offensively.

Torres, who scored 24 goals for Liverpool during the club season, continued to waste chances for Spain and was taken out for Guiza in the 69th minute.

Fabregas and Xabi Alonso forced Afinkeev to makes saves on long shots in the next few minutes and Guiza rewarded coach Guiza rewarded coach Luis Aragones in the 73rd minute by beating Akinfeev.

Sergio Ramos helped set up the goal with a pass to Fabregas, who found Guiza in the area. Guiza was behind Russia's defense and chested the ball down before he tapped it into the right side of the net with only Akinfeev to beat.

Fabregas added to his impressive performance off the bench with another assist on Spain's third goal. He crossed from the left side and Silva settled the ball with his right foot and placed the ball just inside the left post with his left foot in the 82nd minute to seal Spain's win.

Spain improved to 3-0 all-time in Euro semifinals. The Spaniards last won the tournament in 1964 when they defeated the Soviet Union, 2-1, in the final.