On this day: Spain reach Euro 2008 final

On this day in 2008, Spain and Russia met in Vienna to determine who would progress through to play Germany in the European Championship final.

The two teams had already faced each other in the group stages - with Spain prevailing 4-1 on that occasion - but that result motivated a Russia squad coached by Guus Hiddink to storm through to the last four with a 3-1 victory over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

Spain, who were searching for their first major trophy for 44 years, had failed to kick on after the initial success over Russia, only scraping through their matches with last-minute goals against Sweden and Greece respectively before overcoming Italy in a penalty shootout in the last eight.

Spain started the match on the front foot, and after Sergio Ramos had just failed to connect with a right-wing cross, Fernando Torres got off a shot on the turn from close range that was well kept out by Igor Akinfeev.

That near miss brought a response from Russia, but they were fortunate to survive for a second time in the early stages when David Villa's swerving effort was saved by Akinfeev.

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Russia finally recorded a shot on goal after 16 minutes through Roman Pavlyuchenko, but after lining up a free kick that was nearing 35 yards from goal, the forward couldn't keep his shot down and Iker Casillas was able to watch the ball clear his crossbar.

It was beginning to appear as if Hiddink might have come up with a gameplan to stifle Spain, but shortly before the half-hour mark, La Roja created an opening through Andres Iniesta, but after stepping away from his marker, the Barcelona midfielder missed his kick and Russia were able to clear.

Spain were dealt a huge blow before the half-time whistle when Villa was forced off with a pulled muscle, with Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas coming on in his place to operate behind Torres.

However, five minutes after the break, Spain delighted their travelling support with the opening goal of the semi-final. Iniesta cut inside from the flank before providing a cross for the advancing Xavi, who did well to poke the ball home from close range.

Fabregas was becoming a growing influence on the match, and moments after his fine cut-back from the byline went begging, he provided an inch-perfect delivery for Torres in the penalty area, but the striker couldn't adjust his body to get a shot on goal.

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The link-up play between Fabregas and Torres had the Russian defence in disarray, but with 17 minutes remaining, it was Daniel Guiza who benefited from the midfielder's creativity as he all but sealed his team's place in the final.

Ramos had advanced forward before playing in Fabregas, who wasted little time in flicking the ball into the path of the onrushing Guiza and the Mallorca striker made no mistake in calmly slotting the ball past Akinfeev.

That second goal deflated Russia and it wasn't long before Spain had their third goal from another Fabregas assist. The substitute spotted David Silva in the penalty area and the playmaker had enough time and space to take his time before striking the ball into the net.

Russia nearly netted a consolation goal through Dmitri Sychev, but the match was over as a contest and Spain had booked their place in the final against a Germany side who had edged past Turkey in the other last-four tie.

The final proved to be a tense affair with chances few and far between, but Torres's goal after 33 minutes was enough to end 44 years of hurt for Spain, while also acting as the catalyst for their success over the next four years.