30 degrees in the shade, more than 50 percent humidity: The semi-final between Spain and Italy took both teams to the edge of their forces. The world and European champions prevailed despite a weak performance.

Vicente del Bosque pursued the shoot alone on his bench. Sweaty and absent, collapsed in the face a little to the Spanish national team coach looked exhausted. The Italians on the field, the Brazilians in the stands, the heat in the Estadio Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza – they all had made ​​it difficult to create the 62-year-old coach in previously goalless 120 minutes.

The Italians – humbled by Spain in last year’s European Championship final – were out for revenge and a Maracanã showdown with the hosts, Brazil, but they failed to turn their dominance over 90 minutes into goals in Fortaleza.

A weary Spain side waited until extra-time to turn the screw but they still needed Leonardo Bonucci to miss the second last of 14 spot-kicks before the world champions sealed their place in Sunday’s final through Jesús Navas’s spot kick.

Less than a year ago Italy were brushed aside 4-0 in Kiev but after the Barcelona winger Pedro dragged an early shot just wide Spain did not enjoy many good chances inside 90 minutes.

Emanuele Giaccherini and Alberto Gilardino went close before an improbable high ball forward found Christian Maggio all alone in front of Iker Casillas, who just about put a glove to the ball.

Italy were carving Spain apart at will but in the 36th minute Maggio wasted the best opportunity of the first half.

Unchecked at the far post, he dipped his head instead of putting a boot through Giaccherini’s lofted cross, to Casillas’ visible relief.

Fernando Torres’ superb solo effort soon warned Italy to remain vigilant, however. The Chelsea striker controlled Xavi’s deft flick-on before rifling the ball inches past the far post.

Navas replaced his new Manchester City team-mate David Silva shortly after the restart and the winger soon tested Gianluigi Buffon’s reflexes with a low drive to the far post.

Andrés Iniesta then worked his way from the dugout to the D and, although his shot sailed wide, Spain were beginning to show more bite and resilience.

Only a desperate block late on from Gerard Piqué denied Claudio Marchisio from six yards and five minutes from full-time the Barça defender missed from a similar distance.

Sergio Ramos failed to put his forehead on Xavi’s free-kick into the box deep into stoppage time.

The thickness of a post spared Iker Casillas after Emanuele Giaccherini shot as extra-time began but it would be Spain’s players who found hidden reserves of energy.

Piqué and Ramos saw tentative attempts go wide before Jordi Alba skimmed the crossbar with a well-controlled strike from Iniesta’s deft cross.

Fifteen further minutes were ordered and the substitute Juan Mata continued Spain’s spirited revival with a snapshot from the edge of the area.

Cramp became a major issue for Italy’s defenders and with Giorgio Chiellini among those lying on the pitch, both Navas and Xavi forced desperate saves from an under-siege Gianluigi Buffon.

contest began with Antonio Candreva’s audacious chipped finish.Neither Buffon nor Casillas would get a hand to the ball and it fell to Navas to slot home the decider after a shattered Bonucci blazed his kick over to end Italy’s chances. The Italy coach, Cesare Prandelli, said. “They’re still ahead of us but we’re improving.”

Spain vs Italy Confederations Cup Semi-Final Match Facts

Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Pique, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro (Mata 79), Torres (Javi Martinez 94), Silva (Jesus Navas 52).

Subs Not Used: Valdes, Albiol, Azpilicueta, Villa, Fabregas, Soldado, Monreal, Cazorla, Reina.
Booked: Pique.

Italy: Buffon, Maggio, Bonucci, Barzagli (Montolivo 45), Chiellini, Candreva, De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio (Aquilani 79), Giaccherini, Gilardino (Giovinco 91).

Subs Not Used: Sirigu, Astori, De Sciglio, El Shaarawy, Cerci, Diamanti, Marchetti.

Booked: De Rossi.

Spain win 7-6 on penalties

Att: 56,000

Ref: Howard Webb (England).

Spain vs Italy Match Video

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