Published
6/22/2008 3:30:36 PM
by
Shane Barrow
from
soccermogul
Spain has advanced past Italy to reach the semifinals of Euro 2008 after a scoreless 120 minutes and penalty shootout victory over the defending world champions at the Ernst-Happel Stadium. Iker Casillas saved penalties from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale before Cesc Fabregas slid the winning penalty past Gianluigi Buffon.
Cassillas, who had kept his side on level terms with a fine save with his feet from Mauro Camoranesi, helped Spain end a string of three straight penalty shootout defeats on June 22 in major tournaments, in the 1986 World Cup, Euro 96 and the 2002 World Cup. Luis Aragones' men are the only team in the last four to have won all of their games in the tournament and now take on surprise package Russia on Thursday in Vienna.
Italy won the 2006 World Cup on penalties against France but Buffon, the hero that day, was overshadowed by the impressive Casillas this time. The Italy keeper had kept his side in the competition in the group stages when he saved Adrian Mutu's penalty against Romania and threatened to do so again when he denied Daniel Guiza with Spain's fourth penalty.
But Casillas, who had already flung himself to his right to palm away De Rossi's effort, then kept out Di Natale's weak effort to hand the advantage back to Spain. And Arsenal youngster Fabregas kept his cool to send Buffon the wrong way and give his side a 4-2 penalty win.
Published
2/1/2012
by
William Montero
from
soccermogul
A massive riot broke out between rival fans at a soccer match in Cairo, Egypt. At least 1,000 people were injured in the clashes, 150 of them critically.
Published
12/18/2011
by
Shane Barrow
from
soccermogul
Barcelona left no doubt in this one as they demolished South American champs Santos 4-0 in the Club World Cup Final.
Published
12/2/2011
by
Shane Barrow
from
soccermogul
The Euro 2012 draw is complete and there are definitely four compelling groups for next summer's tournament being held in Poland and the Ukraine.
Published
11/15/2011
by
Shane Barrow
from
soccermogul
The final four places at Euro 2012 have been claimed as the playoff round ended today. Ireland, Portugal, Croatia and the Czech Republic were the victors.
Published
10/12/2011
by
Shane Barrow
from
soccermogul
Mexico choked a lead and lost against ten man Brazil on home soil Tuesday night.