Spain book final place

Spain completed a memorable 3-0 defeat over under dogs Russia in the Euro 2008 tournament on Friday night, thanks to goals from Xavi, Silva and Guiza; and proved that they are more than worthy of winning the trophy in preparation for their final against Germany.

Spain had been the best team for most of the tournament, and really proved tonight just how good they were as they punished a lacklustre Russia side throughout.

In fact, Russia did not even nearly match their earlier performances in the tournament; and most notably their 3-1 extra time victory over Holland.

Guus Hiddink probably would have thought his luck was in, but as the Spaniards showed, their tactics were much more effective than the Russians; and Luis Aragones really pulled off a masterstroke.

Many a fan would have thought that the early departure of David Villa through injury would have cost the Iberians their opportunity of glory; but Aragones pulled off a tactical masterstroke bringing on Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal in his place, and the Gunners' man showed just how effective he really is with two outstanding assists.

The dam broke for Spain just after halftime, with Xavi finally tipping in a fine cross (shot?) from Andres Iniesta that found the midfielder utterly alone in the box. Marcos Senna and Cesc combined to get the ball up to Xavi, who ran a one-two with Iniesta that took both men past Ivan Saenko and Xavi into open space six yards out. Akinfeev had no chance to stop the ball, which flashed into the net.

Spain dominated the possession from that minute on against an increasingly frustrated Russian side that was reduced to hopeful long balls that were blunted in the back almost immediately. David Guiza doubled the lead in the 73rd when Fabregas swooped up a giveaway and lobbed the ball over the defenders at the edge of the area. Guiza chested the ball down and cut the ball back across the net to the far post with a clever right-footed take that caught Akinfeev going the wrong way.

Nine minutes later, Iniesta launched a ball down the near touchline from deep in his own half to a rambling Fabregas, who carried it on to send a firm cross to David Silva. Silva buried it in the lower-left hand corner of the net. By then, Russia had already been put to the sword.