Spain produced a superb display to cruise past Russia and set up a Euro 2008 final against Germany on Sunday.

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas was the driving force behind the win after coming on as substitute for injured David Villa. Xavi turned home Andres Iniesta's cross after 50 minutes and substitute Daniel Guiza converted a superb pass from Fabregas with 17 minutes left.

Fabregas played in David Silva for a simple third after 82 minutes as a disappointing Russia ended well beaten. The only cloud on Spain's horizon was the first-half injury to Villa, who will now miss the final clash with Germany in Vienna.

Russia never threatened to produce the attacking firepower that saw them dump out Holland in the last eight, and playmaker Andrei Arshavin was an anonymous figure throughout. Arshavin entered the game with a huge weight of expectation on his shoulders, as well as transfer interest from Barcelona, but failed to deliver.

Spain were outstanding as they inflicted another heavy defeat on Guus Hiddink's side, as they had done in the group stages and were rarely under pressure. Veteran coach Luis Aragones now looks to have put together a side capable of ending the years of under-achievement, even making light of that injury to the influential Villa.

Spain made a positive start, with the partnership of Villa and Torres demonstrating their threat early on. Villa slipped in Torres for a shot that was saved by Igor Akinfeev, then forced the Russia keeper into a smart save down at his post with a long-range drive.

Russia's only early effort was a free-kick from Roman Pavlyuchenko that was off target as Spain dominated territory and possession. Villa fired in another free-kick that was saved by Akinfeev after 28 minutes, but appeared to injure himself and limped off shortly afterwards, to be replaced by Fabregas.

It was a pivotal moment, with Fabregas more than compensating for the departure of Villa by delivered a midfield master-class. Spain took a fully-deserved lead after 50 minutes when Xavi arrived to perfection to slide home Iniesta's driven cross.

Fabregas was pulling the strings, first setting up Torres for a shot that the Liverpool striker curled off target. Torres then slid another glorious chance wide after a fine run and cross from Sergio Ramos in what was his final contribution of a tireless performance.

He was replaced by Guiza, with Liverpool team-mate Xabi Alonso coming on for goalscorer Xavi. And Guiza showed his prowess as a finisher when he scored Spain's second after 73 minutes, lifting Fabregas's superb pass over Akinfeev.

Fabregas was running the game, and he produced another piece of superb creation to set up Silva for a precise finish with eight minutes left. Spain keeper Iker Casillas was finally forced into action with three minutes remaining, saving superbly from Dmitry Sychev's header.

But it was a minor interruption to Spain's path into the final, and Akinfeev had to save well from Guiza as they threatened to make their victory margin more convincing.

Criticism 'spurred on Spaniards'
Luis Aragones and Cesc Fabregas say Spain have been spurred on by a desire to prove critics wrong at Euro 2008.

The Spaniards beat Russia 3-0 on Thursday to reach their first major final in 24 years - against Germany. Coach Aragones said: "The criticism has taught me a lot, except when I was insulted. It has stimulated me and encouraged me to do things better." Midfielder Fabregas added: "There are always doubts. Nobody was expecting us to be where we are now."

Aragones, 69, has been a controversial figure as Spain coach but now stands one game away from emulating José Villalonga, who led Spain to their sole tournament success by winning the 1964 European Championship. "When we came to the tournament we realised we had a good team and we could get far,'' added Aragones. "We had some hard moments but we have always believed in ourselves. We have a great team.''

Spain outplayed Russia in the second half in Vienna, although Aragones is aware that Germany, with six major tournament wins, will offer a far sterner challenge. "We weren't doing very well in the first half against Russia but in the second half we were able to play more freely and rediscover our game," he stated. "We are in the final and the adversary is Germany. It's a hell of a task."

With striker David Villa set to miss the final because of a thigh injury, Arsenal's Fabregas is likely to start the game, having impressed off the bench in the tournament. "With Cesc we had another midfielder and it was difficult to control," said Aragones. "I know how well he can perform, he is a great player, like others in our squad. Cesc is 21, he and other players have acquired the experience that you might have of an older player. This is something that matters for the 2008 tournament but I'm sure it will matter for the World Cup in two years as well."

Fabregas, who set up Spain's second and third goals against Russia, said their toughest test lay ahead. "We came here to win the title and the most difficult match is to come," he commented. "We've had difficult moments but we've shown great mental strength and togetherness. That is the key."Will I play in the final? Well Luis Aragones is the boss and I will be there if he needs me."

Spain deserved victory - Hiddink
Russia coach Guus Hiddink admitted his side were well beaten after seeing a classy Spain side run out 3-0 winners in their Euro 2008 semi-final. "We lost to a really good team from Spain," said the 61-year-old Dutchman. "Spain were excellent and deserved their victory. I am disappointed by the result, but I am proud of my team."

Hiddink has now lost in three major semi-finals, also tasting defeat with Holland and South Korea in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups respectively. "The disappointment of tonight is in our head, but when our emotions calm down we are very proud, not just the results but the way they have played," said the Dutchman. "Of course after a game where we are defeated we are disappointed, that is logical. We could play with Spain for the first half and part of the second, there was still a game, but their plan to tire us led to our marking being loose in midfield so we had to run a lot. That is the moment they had the quality to strike. It is a very deserved win - it's very difficult to play against a team like that who can play one-touch football. I hope they play a good final."

Hiddink also felt an extra midfielder made the difference for Spain. "We could handle Torres and Villa in the first half okay, but with the change to a midfielder in there came more mobility," he said. "It is difficult to play that and control it. They also do it at a rather quick pace. You can feel it and it's a matter of time, that's their class."

TRIVIA
Spain have reached their third European Championship final. In 1964 they beat the Soviet Union (2-1) and in 1984 they lost to France (2-0). Only Germany (six) and the Soviet Union (four) have appeared in more finals in this tournament.

Xavi's goal was the 500th goal in the history of the European Championships.

Spain's second goal by Daniel Guiza was the 13th by a substitute at Euro 2008. Spain have now scored seven goals through substitutes in European Championships. Only Portugal (11) have produced more.

The 3-0 win equalled the biggest victory in a European Championship semi-final. The Soviet Union beat Czechoslovakia 3-0 in 1960 and Denmark 3-0 in 1964.

Guus Hiddink has now lost three semi-finals in major tournaments. He lost two in the World Cup with the Netherlands (1998) and South Korea (2002) respectively.

Russia: Akinfeev, Aniukov, Vasili Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Semak, Zyryanov, Semshov (Bilyaletdinov 56), Saenko (Sychev 57), Pavluchenko, Arshavin.
Subs Not Used: Gabulov, Malafeev, Yanbaev, Alexei Berezutsky, Adamov, Ivanov, Shirokov, Bystrov.

Booked: Zhirkov, Bilyaletdinov.

Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Capdevila, Iniesta, Xavi (Alonso 69), Senna, Silva, Villa (Fabregas 34), Torres (Guiza 69).
Subs Not Used: Palop, Reina, Albiol, Fernando Navarro, Santi Cazorla, Sergio Garcia, Arbeloa, Juanito, De la Red.

Goals: Xavi 50, Guiza 73, Silva 82.

Att: 50,000

Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).