Substitute Cesc Fabregas assisted on two goals as Spain blasted Russia 3-0 in their Euro 2008 semifinal in rain swept Vienna, to book a mouthwatering final with Germany. Fabregas replaced Euro 2008's top scorer David Villa after 34 minutes and was inspirational in an allstar Spain midfield.
Russia coach Guus Hiddink was forced into one change, with Vasili Berezutski coming in for suspended Denis Kolodin, but the focus was on attacking midfielder Andrei Arshavin. Arshavin had been banned for the clash earlier in the tournament when Spain won 4-1, but Russia had since won in style three times on the spin, with their playmaker returning and scoring for the final two.
Fernando Torres and David Villa led the Spain attack again in an unchanged lineup from their win over Italy, with Fabregas still left on the bench. Spain started with attacking intent and Liverpool striker Torres forced an early save from Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev with a neat turn and shot six yards out.
Villa continued to increase the early pressure, beating Sergei Ignashevich with a neat step only to fire a yard wide of Akinfeev's goal. But as the rain continued to fall heavily the game turned into a midfield battle before Roman Pavluchenko tested Iker Casillas with a swirling shot that had the Real Madrid keeper diving at full stretch after 30 minutes.
Villa then limped off with an injury after taking a freekick and was replaced by Arsenal wizard Fabregas. Spain hit the lead after 50 minutes through classy Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who deflected an Andres Iniesta cross past Akinfeev for a 1-0 lead. Luis Aragones' men started to boss the game in midfielder and were rewarded with a second goal 23 minutes later from substitute striker Daniel Guiza, who had only been on the field for four minutes after replacing Torres up front.
Fabregas then picked out David Silva in acres of space in the box to put Spain 3-0 up with eight minutes remaining to cap a fantastic night for Aragones. Gunners favourite Fabregas had an inspirational game in midfield and should force his way into the starting line-up for the final against Germany in Vienna on Sunday.