A penalty shootout began Spain's era and a penalty shootout kept it going. The dream of a unique treble is still alive. A 0-0 draw and penalties with Italy in the quarter-final of this competition four years ago was the turning point, a game that changed Spain's history and changed their future. The man who scored the decisive penalty that night: Cesc Fabregas. Tonight, he again stood over the spot. Nervously, he talked himself through the moment, convincing himself that he could do it again. And then he ran up and scored, the ball flying into the net off the right hand post to send Spain into a third successive final.

Sid Lowe -- http://www.guardian.co.uk