Source: Xinhua

06-23-2008 08:16

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

VIENNA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Spain beat world champions Italy 4-2 in penalty shootout to win the "ugly game" in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008 on Sunday.

Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas (2nd L) celebrates with teammates  their quarterfinal penalty shootout victory over Italy at the Euro  2008 Championships in Vienna, Austria, on June 22, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

 

The game was forced to extra time after the score was deadlocked at 0-0 after 90 minutes. Yet after another 30 minutes of play, the score remained unchanged.

Spain made four of five attempts while Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas made two saves to send his team to the semifinals.

The victory was well deserved for the Spanish team as they gained an upper hand over Italy in the 120 minutes of action.

The Spanish team had 26 shots to Italy's 12 and were superior in ball possession (57 percent against 43) in the match which was played in a sluggish way.

The Spanish team just couldn't break the Italian defence line led by veteran defender Christian Panucci and Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon also put up several superb saves.

The world champions played the match without suspended midfielder Anrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso and that cost them dearly.

Italy had their chance of scoring as Daniele De Rossi's shot following a melee in Spanish area was blocked by Casillas at the 61st minute.