Confederations Cup: Spain beat Italy to final ticket

After a gruelling 120 minutes of football, world champions Spain needed the luck from the penalty spot to secure a place in the finals of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil as they edged out hard fighting Italy 7-6 after first settling for a goalless draw in regulation and extra time

Both Emanuele Giaccherini and Xavi had hit the woodwork, but Italy and Spain remain goalless after 120 minutes and thus went to penalty shootout.

This Confederations Cup semi-final was also a replay of the Euro 2012 meetings, a 1-1 draw in the group phase and 4-0 Spanish victory in the Final.

In the ensuing penalty shoot out, Candreva was up first and showed absolutely no fear with a chipped penalty over Iker Casillas. Xavi, Aquilani, Iniesta, De Rossi, Pique, Giovinco, Sergio Ramos, Pirlo and Juan Mata converted, so it went to sudden death.

Montolivo and Sergio Busquets both converted successfully, but Leonardo Bonucci ballooned the seventh Italy spot kick over the bar.

Jesus Navas was up with the decisive strike and placed it well to give Spain the victory on penalties, just like in the Euro 2008 quarter-final.

The World and European champions will now face Brazil in Sunday’s final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janerio .