Confederations Cup Brazil 2013

Spain 0 - Italy 0 (7-6 penalty shoot out)

Spain: Casillas; Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Piqué, Jordi Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Pedro (Mata 79'), Fernando Torres (Javi Martínez 93'), David Silva (Jesús Navas 52'). 4-3-3.
Italy: Buffon; Barzagli (Montolivo 46'), Bonucci, Chiellini; Maggio, De Rossi, Pirlo, Giaccherini; Candreva, Marchisio (Aquilani 79'); Gilardino (Giovinco 91'). 3-4-2-1.

Goals: None.

Penalties: 0-1. Candreva; 1-1 . Xavi; 1-2. Aquilani; 2-2. Iniesta; 2-3. De Rossi; 3-3. Piqué; 3-4. Giovinco; 4-4. Ramos; 4-5. Pirlo; 5-5. Mata; 5-6. Montolivo; 6-6. Busquets; 6-6. Bonucci (over bar); 7-6. Navas.

A close call, but there will be the final that everyone wanted after Spain beat Italy on penalties to set up a summit meeting with Brazil on Sunday. The last time these two teams faced each other was in the final of last year's European championship, Spain running out 4-0 winners to take the title for the second time in a row. Prandelli was not going to let that happen again though, and a rejuvenated side put up a solid defence whilst still causing problems for the Spanish defence. Only two great saves by Casillas (later voted man-of-the-match) prevented Maggio from opening the scoring, and De Rossi and Marchisio also went close as Italy dominated the first half, with nine attempts at goal compared to Spain's two (a couple of efforts wide by Pedro and Torres).

Del Bosque made his first change soon after the restart though, Jesús Navas coming on to test Buffon for the first time, and Iniesta, Pedro and Piqué all tried their luck as Spain started to get in to gear. The game went in to extra time though, and although Giaccherini and Xavi both hit the post, it was down to the inevitable penalty shoot out. Both teams held their nerves, the first twelve spot kicks all going in, but Bonucci blasted his kick over the bar, and Navas slotted home the next one to take Spain through to that dream final.