Spain defeat Italy

Spain beat 22 year jinx of losing on june 22

Spain lost shootouts to Belgium at the 1986 World Cup, to England at Euro 1996 and to South Korea at the 2002 World Cup—all in the quarterfinals. But this time things were different. They defeated world champions Italy in Pk's to enter their first Semi finals of the Euro championships


The Spaniards finally survived the quarterfinals in a major tournament and beat the Italians for the first time in 88 years, taking a penalty kick shootout 4-2 Sunday night after a 0-0 draw in the European Championship.

Iker Casillas saved two penalty kicks and Cesc Fabregas scored the winner, sending Spain into a semifinal matchup with Russia, which it beat 4-1 in the opening game of group play.

“We’re always talking about not being able to pass the quarterfinals. But now we’re in the semifinals,” Spain coach Luis Aragones said. “I’m happy for my country and for my players … and ultimately for myself, because it’s my profession and winning is beautiful.”

The last time Spain made the final four in a major event was the 1984 Euros, losing to France in the final. The last major win over Italy? At the 1920 Olympics.

“We didn’t play great football and Italy didn’t either. Italy couldn’t score on us and we had about three good chances,” Aragones said.

“The rhythm of the game was slow. If we had moved the ball with more speed maybe we would have had more chances.”

Spain ran its undefeated streak to 20 games and is the only group winner to advance to the semifinals in these Euros. Germany and Turkey play Wednesday in the other semifinal in Basel, Switzerland.

David Villa, Santi Cazorla and Marcos Senna beat Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon in the shootout. Fabio Grosso and Mauro Camoranesi connected for Italy, but Casillas was the difference.

“Losing is always bitter, but when you lose on penalties it burns even more,” Italy forward Alessandro Del Piero said. “But let’s not talk about bad luck. It’s not anyone’s fault.”

"We’re very bitter, but we still have a lot of pride,” Gattuso said. “Losing on penalties happens. We won the World Cup on penalties"