DONETSK: Cesc Fabregas hit the winning penalty for Spain as they beat Portugal 4-2 to enter the Euro 2012 final in Donestk early Thursday.

The defending champions were held for a goalless draw by their Iberian neighbours after 120 minutes of open play and stuttered in their penalty shoot-out but went through when the Portugese had problems of their own in converting from the spot.

Spain keeper Iker Casillas saved Joao Moutinho's opening penalty then Bruno Alves hit the bar to eventually open the door for substitute Fabregas, who scored via the post.

After a lively first half when Portugal took the game to their neighbors, it got cagier with fewer chances as Cristiano Ronaldo lashed two dipping free kicks just over the bar and sent another flying over in the last minutes after a counter-attack.

Spain's Alvaro Arbeloa swept a half-volley over the bar in the ninth minute and remarkably that proved to be Spain's best chance of a disjointed performance until Andres Iniesta forced Rui Patricio into his first serious save just before halftime in extra time when they finally injected some pace and took control.

Germany play Italy in Warsaw on Thursday in the second semi-final with the final in Kiev on Sunday.