Diamond Güiza shoots down Hiddink's Russians to help sparkling Spain reach their final frontier

Euro 2008 Semi Finals
Russia 0
Spain 3

* Xavi 50,
* Guiza 73,
* Silva 82

* Kevin McCarra at Ernst Happel Stadium

Spain caused havoc without haste in this measured dismissal of Russia, earning them a meeting with Germany in Sunday's final. In outclassing and subduing Guus Hiddink's potentially menacing team for a second time in the tournament, they showed the power of technique. The substitute Cesc Fábregas, laying on the third goal of the night with a meticulous cross to David Silva in the 82nd minute, epitomised excellence.

The victors were nearly as good at waiting as they were at playing. Whereas an imprudent Holland had been picked off by Russia in the quarter-finals, Spain made very few mistakes and the opposition were starved of scope to break. Luis Aragonés's side were fastidious when in possession and the energy of Hiddink's team steadily dwindled as they were made to chase.

"It was very deserved," the Dutchman said of this outcome. "If they keep touching the ball the opposition will get fatigued and they know they will score."

That advantage was actually accentuated by the loss, in the 34th minute, of the forward David Villa, the leading scorer at Euro 2008, to an injury he appeared to collect while hitting a free-kick. Aragonés sent on Arsenal's Fábregas in preference to a forward of lesser ability and the Arsenal midfielder is in line to start the final because Villa is likely to miss that game. "A player like Cesc, who is 21, has acquired the experience of someone who is 28 or 29," said the coach.

Spain have a range of movement that allows them to employ five midfielders without being stodgy. The fluidity allowed the right-back, Sergio Ramos, to use his dynamism on the overlap. Russia had no means to respond. The best save they demanded from Iker Casillas came when the match was almost over.

Andrei Arshavin, the Zenit St Petersburg attacker who is the subject of a bid from Barcelona, may have had the Catalan club wondering if they should reduce their offer. Hiddink knows that the forward has much to learn, even if he is 27. "He got a lot of attention," the coach said. "Everyone said he was capable of playing in all the top leagues. Of course he can, but then the focus of the opposition fixed on him. It is good for him to see that he has to improve."

Marcos Senna or other Spain midfielders denied Arshavin scope. Germany will not be subdued so readily. None the less, it still looks as if Aragonés has the best squad at the tournament. Unlike Joachim Löw's team, Spain have won all their games. On form they should take the title which they previously won in 1964.

The present side are well established. With the exception of the dead match against Greece at the end of the group phase, Aragonés has sent out the same starting line-up in every game here. It reflects the coach's peace of mind, and Spain enjoyed a 21st match without defeat. Aragonés cited Gary Lineker's remark about football being a game in which 11 men play 11 and the Germans win in the end, but added: "Our people have learned to compete and we also believe in ourselves."

They had a wish to impose themselves here. Vasili Berezutski, in for the suspended Denis Kolodin, blocked a Fernando Torres attempt for a corner in the second minute. Hiddink's line-up were denied room but the muscle and enterprise of Roman Pavlyuchenko worried Spain now and again. It was his curler in the 31st minute which drew from Casillas the best save up until then.

As one of the principal football nations, Spain must quake at the prospect of underachievement. More even than England, they groan under the burdensome memories of failure at international tournaments. Although Russia were trounced at the beginning of Group D, the sickly losers then had since seemed reinvigorated. But Spain showed that infirmity is not cured so speedily.

They demonstrated the flaws five minutes after the interval. It is only just to admit that the rapport and skill of the two midfielders involved would be hard for anyone to thwart. Xavi passed to Andrés Iniesta and made the break into the penalty box before the moment came to meet the return ball first time to open a 1-0 lead.

It was elementary for Spain to revel in the liberty that comes from scoring. With 73 minutes gone, Fábregas lifted a beautiful chip over the centre-back Sergei Ignashevich and Daniel Güiza controlled it on his chest before finishing. There was more to come from Fábregas and Spain. Germany will be impressed and wary.

Taken from the Guardian/Observer