Three unanswered second-half goals sealed victory over Russia in a rain-soaked Vienna.
Xavi (50.), substitute Daniel Guiza (73.) and David Silva (82.) all netted against an out-of-sorts Russian side, to propel the 1964 European champions into their first major tournament final for 24 years. They now meet Germany in the final, also in Vienna, on Sunday.
This far and no further
For Russia, who dismantled the highly-fancied Netherlands last time out, it was an anti-climactic finale to a tournament which had seen them go from strength to strength.
The first half was a game of few chances, played out for the most part in pouring rain. David Villa, who notched a hattrick in Spain's 4-1 victory when the sides met in the group phase, put in Fernando Torres in the sixth minute, but Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev proved equal to the task. Five minutes later, Villa tried his luck himself from the left edge of the box, Akinfeev saving once again.
Villa off, Fabregas on
In the 35th minute, Villa had to leave the field injured, to be replaced by Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas. For their part, Russia were finding it hard going against a Spanish defence that had conceded only three goals in the tournament. It took them more than half an hour to test Spanish keeper Iker Casillas, with a 20-metre effort from Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Spain made the breakthrough five minutes after the restart, Xavi converting a cross from Andres Iniesta. After that, the Iberian side were clearly in the ascendancy. Torres could have twice doubled their account (52., 63.), and the man who replaced him promptly did - Guiza latching onto a great through ball from Fabregas and cleverly flicking it past the advancing Akinfeev.
Icing on the cake
Spain killed off any lingering hopes of an unlikely Russian comeback eight minutes from time, Silva slotting home a low cross from the impressive Fabregas. 3-0 for the eternal dark horses, to leave them one game away from the big prize.
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