Source: Xinhua News Agency

06-15-2008 09:26

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

INNSBRUCK, June 14 (Xinhua) -- David Villa's injury time winner gave Spain a narrow 2-1 victory over Sweden and a quarterfinals berth at Euro 2008 in Innsbruck on Saturday.

Spain's David Villa (2nd L) shoots and scores during the Euro 2008 Group D soccer match against Sweden held at the Tivoli Neu Stadium in Innsbruck, Austria, June 14, 2008. Spain won 2-1.(Xinhua Photo)

Spain secured their place in the last eight after Russia outclassed Greece 1-0 thanks to Konstantin Zyryanov's first-half goal in the other second-round Group D action later, which saw the title holders end their Switzerland and Autria trip already.

The shock winner in 2004 were knocked out of this year's European campaign with no goals and two defeats out of two games as they also lost to Sweden 2-0 in their opener on Tuesday.

Sweden will battle against Russia for the other group D quota on Wednesday while Spain are to take on Greece for nothing.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in the 34th minute to level Sweden with Spain 1-1 before halftime but Villa's goal two minutes into stoppage time threw Sweden into disappointment.

"We had a deserved early lead," said Spain's manager Luis Aragones, "but then we lost our pace a bit and they came back to equalize."

"We tried our best in the second half for a chance and we made it. Normally six points has secured a last eight place so we might have some changes for the next match."

Spaniards could have been left in deep regret as they squandered dozens of opportunities after the restart including a triple in the 65th minute.

Sweden's keeper Andreas Isaksson failed to hold David Silva's shot with the ball slipping to Villa, but recovered to parry the follow-up and Fernando Torres' third attempt was deflected wide off Daniel Andersson with Isaksson cuddling up in pain due to a clash with Villa.

Villa, who scored the first hat-trick of the tournament in their opening 4-1 victory over Russia, impressed again by taking advantage of a dithering Petter Hansson to slot in Joan Capdevila's long searching pass.

Spain were the first to celebrate after 15 minutes as David Silva's pass from a corner was met by Fernando Torres at the near post, who poke the ball into the net.