Portugal vs. Spain: Euro 2012 Semifinal as It Happened

Back in the studio, Michael Ballack says Cristiano Ronaldo should have gone first—to give his team a good start.

I agree with him, but it doesn't matter. Spain have won, and they'll get to defend their title in Sunday's final.

Will they play Germany or Italy? We'll find out tomorrow.

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PENALTY SHOOTOUT

Spain win the penalty shootout 4-2, and the difference was Cesc Fabregas' shot off the post and into the net.

Portugal must be devastated, and Cristiano Ronaldo must be kicking himself for not taking a penalty sooner.

Cristiano Ronaldo didn't get to take a penalty.

Oh dear.

FABREGAS—GOAL!

Cesc Fabregas scores off the post to his left. Spain win and head to the final!

ALVES—MISS!

Bruno Alves hits the bar and it rolls out.

Spain lead 3-2 through four rounds. Cristiano Ronaldo might not take a shot!

RAMOS—GOAL!

Spain defender Sergio Ramos channels Andrea Pirlo and scores with a Panenka kick down the middle.

NANI—GOAL!

Nani replaces Bruno Alves at the last moment, hesitates on his run-up and skies his kick into the roof of the net on the left side.

It's 2-2 through three rounds.

PIQUE—GOAL

Spain defender Gerard Pique scores with a shot to his left. Rui Patricio nearly got to that one.

PEPE—GOAL!

Portugal defender Pepe takes a long run-up and finishes low and to the left.

Good penalty.

It's 1-1 through two rounds.

INIESTA—GOAL!

Andres Iniesta scores with a low shot to his right.

MOUTINHO—SAVED!

Portugal's Joao Moutinho takes several ridiculous run-up steps, shoots left and sees his kick saved easily.

ALONSO—SAVE!

Spain's Xabi Alonso takes the first penalty…

…and it's saved! Alonso went right and Rui Patricio kept it out!

Ronaldo whispers a few instructions in the ear of Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

Will that do anything?

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PENALTIES

Both teams will take five penalties, alternating one at a time.

If we're tied after that, we got to sudden death.

ET: 20'—PORTUGAL 0, SPAIN 0

Jesus Navas frees Alvaro Arbeloa on the right. Arbeloa crosses back to the middle, but Portugal's defense heads the ball away.

That's the last attack. There's the final whistle.

We're going to penalties.

ET: 19'—PENALTY?

Pedro falls down in the Portugal box, but there's no call from the ref.

Seemed like Pedro was looking for the foul a bit too much there.

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ET: 27'—PORTUGAL 0, SPAIN 0

Quick passing and movement from Spain along the edge of the Portugal box.

It's all looking good until the linesman raises his flag for offside.

Again, where has this been from Spain?

ET: 25'—FOUL!

Cesc Fabregas tumbles in the Portugal box, and the ref blows his whistle…

…for a foul against Fabregas.

ET: 24'—CHANCE!

Pedro slips behind the Portugal defense but three defenders catch up and take the ball away from him.

Where was all this from Spain before?

ET: 23'—CARD

Xabi Alonso hacks down Cristiano Ronaldo and receives a yellow card.

That was a purely tactical foul. He wasn't letting Ronaldo past him there.

ET: 23'—PORTUGAL SUB

Raul Meireles leaves the match, taking at least 10 minutes to walk off the pitch.

Silvestre Varela replaces him.

ET: 21'—CHANCE!

Spain's Jesus Navas forces a save from Rui Patricio with a low shot at the back post.

Pepe touches the ball right before the Portugal keeper collects it, but it's not a foul back-pass. At least not at this point in the match.

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ET: 20'—SHOT!

Cesc Fabregas has a go from long distance, but it's blocked and Portugal keeper Rui Patricio collects easily.

ET: 17'—PORTUGAL 0, SPAIN 0

Fabio Coentrao breaks down the left side and tries to pick out Cristiano Ronaldo with a cross.

Spain's defense gets the ball away.

ET: 16'—PORTUGAL 0, SPAIN 0

Portugal restart the match.

During the short break, Custodio came on for Portugal, replacing Miguel Veloso.

It just struck midnight in Donetsk.