Euro 2012: Spain beat Portugal 4-2 on penalties to reach finals

Spain made their third-successive presence in the European championship final Thursday after beating Portugal 4-2 on penalties after the game ended goalless even after extra time in their Euro 2012 semifinal.

Cesc Fabregas scored the winning penalty for Spain to make them into the semis after Portugal's Bruno Alves hit the crossbar.

On Sunday, Spain will play the final against Germany or Italy in Kiev who will fight to make their position in the finals in Warsaw Thursday.

Spain began their journey with a cunning 1-1 draw against Italy before defeating Ireland 4-0 and surviving a couple of scares to overcome Croatia 1-0.

Later, Xabi Alonso scored two goals for Spain to bring a 2-0 victory over France in the quarterfinal.

Portugal started their campaign in Group B of the series with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Germany, but scraped through as runners-up, thanks to equally closely fought victories over Denmark, 3-2, and the Netherlands 2-1.

Ronaldo's 79th-minute scintillating header gave the 2004 finalists a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic in the quarterfinal.

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