Spain beat Portugal to reach Euro final

Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after missing a goal opportunity during the Euro 2012 football championships semi-final match Portugal vs. Spain at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk.

DONETSK, Ukraine- Defending champions Spain beat Portugal 4-2 on penalties after their Euro 2012 semi-final finished 0-0 after extra-time here on Wednesday.

Cesc Fabregas put away the decisive penalty in a shootout which saw Portugal’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo end up not taking one as he was their fifth penalty taker.

The Spanish should have taken the lead in the first-half of extra-time but Andres Iniesta’s point blank shot – set up by a great run by Jordi Alba – was brilliantly saved by Rui Patricio

Both sides had a couple of clear chances in each half of normal time, with Ronaldo missing a great opportunity in the 90th minute, firing high over the bar when one on one with the goalkeeper.

Germany play Italy in the other semi-final on Thursday in Warsaw.