(CNN) -- Spain became only the second team to reach three successive major tournament finals after winning a nail-biting penalty shootout against Portugal following a tense goalless draw in Donetsk on Wednesday. The 2010 World Cup and 2008 European champions followed West Germany into the history books as Cesc Fabregas fired the decisive penalty in off a post after Bruno Alves had hit the bar for Portugal. Bizarrely, Portugal's key man Cristiano Ronaldo never even got to take a spot kick as he was saved for Portugal's final penalty, a tactic that backfired horribly. In a game of few chances, Portugal worked hard to edge much of it but their pressing tactics started to backfire in extra-time as tiredness increasingly became a factor.
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Spain become only second team to reach three successive major tournament finals
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Cesc Fabregas scores winning spot-kick as Spain beat Portugal 4-2 on penalties
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Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo not involved in crucial shootout
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Spain face Germany or Italy in Sunday's Euro 2012 final
His final pass to Ronaldo was slack, though, and @placeholder's golden chance of sealing a dramatic win instead saw him lash his shot into the stands.