Euro 2008 Diary [day18]

Russia 0-3 Spain

During the national anthems Andrei Arshavin stares into the camera as if it is his first encounter with technology. Sadly, for a player who has been so key in his team's progress it is as focussed as he'll look all evening. Spain make the early headway and Igor Akinfeev is forced into two decent saves, firstly using his feet to prevent Fernando Torres, the second getting down to his right after David Villa cuts in from the left. For all his talent Torres continues to go down theatrically at opportune moments, thankfully this referee, like most so far, is having none of it.

Russia forge few chances in the first half, but those that do come their way fall to Roman Pavlyuchenko. The forward strikes a free-kick over the bar and curls another effort wide before his best chance as he looks to have found space beyond the Spanish defence, however he is crowded out as he shoots and can only direct the ball wide. Goalless at half-time, but Spain have been forced to take off top scorer David Villa.

Five minutes into the second half the Spanish take the lead from a break down the left. Iniesta holds the ball up before delivering a chipped ball across the six yard box that is poked home by the on rushing Xavi. "Where did he come from?" asks Clive Tyldsley and presumably much of the Russian defence too. On the hour mark Spain are in control and Torres comes close to doubling their lead on two occasions. Cesc Fabregas is described as a "cunning little passer" by David Pleat and lives up to his moniker by chipping a pass in for Danny Guiza to finish for the second goal. "Spain are coming back here on Sunday" yells Tyldsley, possibly tempting fate given how the tournament has gone so far.

However, but for a Sychev header from an Arshavin free-kick that is well saved by Iker Casillas the final fifteen minutes belong to Spain just as emphatically as the preceding seventy-five, and they add a third ten minutes from time. Fabregas gets down the left and feeds David Silva who finishes well. "Ole" says Tyldsley as Spain deservedly progress.