Vienna (Austria): Spain scored three second-half goals on Thursday to beat Russia 3-0 and reach the European Championship final, giving the team a chance to shed their status as one of soccer's biggest underachievers.
Xavi Hernandez, Dani Guiza and David Silva scored a goal each to give the Spaniards a shot at their second European title when they play Germany on Sunday at Ernst Happel Stadium.
Spain, who won the 1964 European tournament, ended their run of five quarter-final defeats by beating Italy in a penalty shootout on Sunday. They confirmed their title aspirations with a penetrating passing attack on a slick surface in pouring rain against Russia.
The Spaniards and Germans have not played a competitive match since a 1-1 draw in the 1994 World Cup. Overall, Germany have won eight of 19 meetings, with Spain taking five and six draws. In competitive games, it is 4-1-2 for Germany.
Germany beat Turkey 3-2 on Thursday night and are seeking a record fourth Euro title.
Spain could face Germany without striker David Villa, who was injured while taking a free-kick in the first half. Villa, the tournament's leading scorer with four goals, limped off the field and was replaced by Cesc Fabregas in the 34th minute.
Xavi's goal came in the 50th minute. He slid a ball through for Andres Iniesta, who eluded one defender before unleashing a shot from just inside the box. Xavi followed to side-foot the ball past goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev.
Two Spanish substitutes combined to make it 2-0 in the 73rd. Fabregas flicked a ball over the top of the defense and Guiza finished with the outside of his right foot, putting the ball high into the net.
Fabregas then slid a pass through for an unmarked Silva inside the box in the 82nd and he ended any hope for Russia.
Spain, who beat the Soviet Union 2-1 in the 1964 final in Madrid, have never lost to Russia in five matches, including a 4-1 win two weeks ago in the first round.
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