All Football

The Spanish preserved their 100 percent record in the tournament with a late winner, and condemned Greece to return home without a point.

An experimental Spanish line-up won 2-1 (1-0) in a Group D encounter with only pride at stake.

1447 days after scoring the goal in Lisbon that made Otto Rehhagel's Greece champions of Europe, FC Nürnberg striker Angelos Charisteas put them ahead three minutes before the break in Salzburg.

Worst title defence ever

Ruben de la Red levelled for Spain in the 61st minute and, having missed a hatful of chances, they finally took the points thanks to Daniel Güiza's winner two minutes from the end of regulation time.

That means Greece make their way home having lost all three games at the finals, scoring just one goal in the process.

All-change

While Rehhagel made four changes to the side beaten 1-0 by Russia last time out, Spanish coach Luis Aragones - with an eye to Sunday's quarter-final against Italy - left only Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta intact from the team that beat Sweden.

After squandering a 2nd-minute chance through de la Red, Spain sat back and largely left it up to Greece to seize the initiative. The dethroned champions eventually did so, Charisteas heading home a cross from Karagounis - just as he had four years ago.

Spain shift up

Spain stepped up the pace after the break, a 25-metre effort from Xabi Alonso hitting the inside of the post (54.). That served as a prelude to the equaliser five minutes later, de la Red dispatching a cross from Sergio Garcia.

Three minutes later Charisteas was out of luck at the other end, hitting the outside of the post from a tight angle. Güiza's last-gasp winner underscored the fact that, this time, luck was in short supply for the Greeks all round.

Champions no more
Amanatidis draws a blank
Wilhelmsson Surprised By Raúl’s Spain Absence

Spain through to final
Impressive Charisteas
Champions no more