Spain has defeated Portugal on penalties 4-2, after both sides could not find a goal in normal or extra-time, which seals La Roja's spot in the final.

Despite a good start, where both sides had chances, neither could capitalise.

The second-half dragged on, as the best chances came from set-pieces, but the ‘keepers had little to do.

Andreas Iniesta could have won it in extra-time but Rui Patricio made a great save, before the game was off to the dreaded lottery draw of a penalty shootout.

After Bruno Alves struck the bar, Cesc Fabregas stepped up and with the aid of the post, sending Spain into the final against either Germany or Italy.

Spain started the brighter of the two sides with their sleek passing, and created the first big chance through Iniesta, who picked out Alvaro Arbeloa, but the Real Madrid fullback fired inches over.

But the Portuguese midfield worked hard pressuring the Spanish midfield with number of players inside the Spanish half, whilst trying to suffocate La Roja as the played out from the back.

Cristiano Ronaldo on the left flank was causing club mate Arbeloa some troubled by forcing the former Liverpool defender onto his heels.

The game became more open as the two sides pushed and preferred to exploit weaknesses on the wings.

Iniesta was involved in the next chance once again as the Barcelona midfielder, linked up with David Silva, after Alvaro Negredo held the ball up well. But Iniesta could only curl over.

And the thrilling half keep offering more as Ronaldo was found on the right, but as the Real Madrid forward cut in, he drove wide of the upright.

It didn’t take too long, in the second period, for Vicente Del Bosque to replace surprise inclusion Negredo for Fabregas, as the Sevilla man did offer much up front.

Another inclusion, this time for Portugal with Hugo Almeida created the first real chance of the half but swerved his effort over, instead of passing off for a better option.

The encounter became a little scrappy, as substitutions and bookings interrupted the flow of the game, whilst La Roja controlled possession, but Portugal still threatened.

One of the best opportunities to find the opening goal came via a Ronaldo free-kick, but the former Manchester United man couldn’t find the target.

Portugal’s set-pieces continued to disappoint, as Ronaldo wasted another two goal scoring chance from a free-kick, meanwhile, Miguel Veloso rarely delivered with his corners.

A Seleccao’s midfield and defence were doing their job, stopping Spain creating the chances, despite La Roja’s vast possession.

Portugal Skipper Ronaldo had a huge chance to seal a spot into the final and to steal the limelight on the edge of normal time, but blazed wide.

But soon after the referee blew for full-time, with it still 0-0, so the tie will be decided by at least extra-time and possibly penalties.

After a scrappy start to extra-time, Iniesta was found and directed an effort towards goal, but Patricio saved fantastically for Portugal.

Unsurprisingly Sergio Ramos went close with a dipping, swerving free-kick, just before the half-time break of extra-time, but Patricio saw the strike fly just over his crossbar.

Substitute Jesus Navas went close next, but Patricio got down quickly denying the Sevilla winger’s shot from an acute angle.

Both sides couldn’t be separated after thirty minutes of extra-time, so off to penalties, where both ‘keepers so far had not much to do.

After Xabi Alonso and Joao Moutinho both missed the first penalties, Ramos stepped up to make it 3-2, before Bruno Alves struck the bar, to give Fabregas the chance to seal a final place. And that is what the Barcelona man did, in off the upright with Patricio out stretched.

Follow Daniel Quinn on Twitter: @Quinby07