Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's Euro 2012 quarter-final between Spain and France in Donetsk.
The Spanish emerged from Group C with the most goals scored, six, and the fewest conceded, one, to book their spot in the latter stages of the competition.
Meanwhile, France were beaten 2-0 by Sweden in their final group match – a loss which was their first reverse in 23 games as they dropped to second in Group D.
Spain have won three of their last four matches against France, but they have
never beaten Les Bleus in a major tournament.
Note that kickoff is at 7.45pm.
21.36So there we have it. Spain book their spot in the semi-finals of Euro 2012 following a 2-0 win over France. The Spaniards dominated the opening half, and took the lead courtesy of a Xabi Alonso header after 19 minutes. France improved after the break with Franck Ribery carrying much of their threat, but they just could not force the elusive equaliser. Alonso added gloss to the scoreline as he scored his second from the spot late on. It wasn't the best of evenings for Spain, but they secured the win to set up a clash with Portugal in the last four.
FULL-TIMESpain 2-0 France
90 min+2That's just about it for this one. Spain will play Portugal in the next round.
90 min+1Alonso gets his second of the night as he finds the corner from the spot.
90 minGOAL! Spain 2-0 France (Alonso)
90 minPenalty to Spain as Reveillere challenges Pedro in the box. Alonso will take it.
90 minPenalty to Spain!
88 min... however, it's headed wide by Rami. Spain are almost there.
88 minRibery buys a corner from Ramos...
87 minFrance have not really offered anything in the past 10 minutes or so. Truth be told, there is not a lot happening at the moment.
85 minSpain have been ever so scrappy in the second period. Tiredness maybe?
84 minIt's long from Rami as he searches out Menez, but Gerard Pique clears the danger. Meanwhile, another change for Spain as Iniesta is replaced by Santi Cazorla.
82 minSpain have almost killed the game now. It's all pass, pass, pass. Can the French rally once more?
80 minBrilliant play from Alba as he plays a wonderful ball to Torres, but the Chelsea man is just ruled offside.
79 minMeanwhile, another change for France as Olivier Giroud replaces M'Vila.
79 minSpain are enjoying more and more possession as the half advances. They look in control once more.
77 minSmart work from Torres as he collects a throw before turning a winning a corner for his side. Spain seem to have starved off the French pressure for the moment.
76 minYellow card for Menez as he challenges Alba. That would rule the Frenchman out of the semi-finals if France get there.
74 minHowever, Spain have defended impressively this evening. It's their turn to park the bus.
74 minWhy on earth did France not play like this in the opening half? They continue to flood forward with 15 minutes remaining.
72 minRibery has been very, very good so far in the second period. He has Arbeloa's number.
70 minWonderful play from Ribery as he cuts into the box before striking at Casillas, but the rebound just would not fall for Menez. France are a threat, make no mistake about that.
69 minAnother chance for Spain as Pedro searches out Torres in the box, but Koscielny makes a fine challenge.
69 minSpain have just woken up again in the past few moments and Alonso so nearly finds Xavi in the box. However, Rami clears the danger.
68 minRight, we have little over 20 minutes remaining. France on the attack.
68 minPedro and Torres? Not bad subs to bring on I suppose!
67 minHere comes Torres. He replaces Fabregas.
66 minFantastic defending from Rami as he cuts out a low Alba across. Corner to Spain.
65 minMeanwhile, Pedro replaces Silva for Spain. Torres is also ready to come on.
64 minAgain France attack but Benzema fires horribly over. Two changes on the way as Menez and Nasri replace Debuchy and Malouda.
62 minFrance continue to attack as Cabaye turns and crosses into the Spanish box, but it's scrambled away. Spain advance immediately down the other end, but Lloris just beats Fabregas to the ball.
61 minIt's so much better from France. They are on top at the moment.
60 minChance! France's best opening of the match as Ribery finds the head of Debuchy in the box, but his header is just over.
60 minBrilliant link-up between Silva and Fabregas, but the latter's cross is just cut out by Rami. This match is so delicately poised.
58 minArbeloa clears the danger, but it's going to come right back from France.
57 minAgain it's better from France as Reveillere searches out Benzema in the box, but his cross is just too long. Corner France.
55 minWonderful passing from Spain as they continue to keep the ball under pressure. They are in no rush here.
53 minRibery seems to be more central in the second period. And he is beginning to have an influence.
53 minBetter from France as Benzema finds Ribery in the area, but Ramos comes across to shephard the ball out of play.
51 minArbeloa has such an incredible amount of space on the right side of the Spain attack. He's in every time.
50 minNice feet from Benzema as he feeds Debuchy in the box, but Alba shuts the door.
49 minSteady passing from France, but they need to threaten Spain's goal. Something which is yet to happen.
47 minFrance need more from Benzema in this match, but he certainly needs more support. Jeremy Menez maybe?
46 minNice bright early passing from the French in the second period. Surely Blanc won't wait too long before making changes?
46 minHere we go then. No changes for either side at the break. Spain get us underway.
20.32So there we have it. Spain lead France 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a header from Xabi Alonso after 19 minutes of play. The Spaniards have dominated this one from the off with their dizzying passing. France did improve as the half advanced, but they have failed to utilise Karim Benzema thus far. However, at 1-0, Laurent Blanc's side remain in contention.
HALF-TIMESpain 1-0 France
45 minWe will play just one minute of added time. Meanwhile, Spain have completed twice as many passes as France - I've heard that song before.
44 minAgain it's just brilliant from Spain as Iniesta feeds Fabregas, but Clichy just gets across to clear the danger. Spain on top in the latter stages of the half.
42 minBooking for Cabaye as he fells Busquets in the middle of the park. Just three minutes to go in the opening half.
42 minThe match has just settled as we approach the break. For all Spain's possession, clear chances have been scarce.
40 minWe haven't seen much from Malouda thus far for the French. Surely Samir Nasri will replace him at some point?
38 minAnother chance for Spain as Iniesta plays a one-two with Fabregas. However, Koscielny is there to turn the ball behind.
38 minAgain it's really bright work from Ribery as he beats Arbeloa for pace, but his cross is cut out once more.
36 minNow it's Iniesta the furthest forward. They just take it in turns.
36 minIt appears that Busquets is playing as the central striker for Spain at the moment. There's something I thought I would never see!
34 minIt's bright work from Ribery as he cuts inside Ramos, but his cross is too near Casillas. However, it's better from France.
32 minIt's a really fine effort from Cabaye and Casillas has to turn it wide for a corner - which the stopper collects.
31 minBright work from Benzema as he draws the foul from Sergio Ramos. Free-kick France outside the Spanish box.
30 minAnother chance for Spain as Fabregas feeds Iniesta in the box. However, Koscielny clears the danger.
28 minMesmeric passing from Spain as they continue to keep the ball. It's all so quick and precise.
27 minChance for France as Benzema strikes from distance. However, it is high and wide.
25 minMore from Chris Waddle: "What a great goal. I've talked about the Spain full-backs not getting up quick enough and they've proved me wrong tonight. Debuchy loses his footing, and it's a great delivery. Lloris had absolutely no chance of saving it. France have got to keep their shape and keep in the game. Blanc won't panic and make silly decisions."
24 minAlonso, Busquets, Xavi. I've seen worse midfields that is for certain. It is almost unfair!
23 minPass, pass, pass from Spain as they probe in the French half. It's wonderful from Silva as he dances into the box, but it just evades Xavi.
22 minThat was a poor goal from France's perspective. Where was the full-back? The goal changes the complexion of the entire match.
20 minSuddenly it's all Spain as Xavi fires over. It could be a long night for France.
19 minSpain take the lead and it comes down the left as Iniesta feeds Alba and the Valencia man finds Alonso in the area who thumps a header past Lloris.
19 minGOAL! Spain 1-0 France (Alonso)
19 minArbeloa is a real out-ball for Spain in the early stages down the right. But France seem happy to let him have it. No real chances for either side thus far.
17 minIt's really nice football from France as Benzema releases Ribery. However, Alvaro Arbeloa clears at the vital moment.
15 minIt's wonderful quick passing with Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Fabregas all involved. However, the final ball is overcooked. That's more like it from the Spanish.
13 minIt's possession football at the minute as Spain probe around the French box. However, there have been no real openings thus far.
12 minTaking another look at that early clash in the French area between Fabregas and Clichy. The Spanish, in my opinion, should have had a penalty.
10 minSpain's passing has been ever so slightly sloppy in the early stages. France have pressed well thus far.
9 minFrance have had more of the ball than they might have expected in the early stages. It's been quite a bright start from Blanc's men.
8 minFine effort from Alonso as he releases a strike from inside his own half. However, Hugo Lloris collects the danger. Some vision that.
6 minPenalty shout for Spain as Clichy appears to foul Fabregas in the box. However, no decision is given. It was a wonderful ball from Alonso.
5 minIt's poor from David Silva as he plays the ball straight to Gael Clichy in the wide right position. France look compact in midfield in the early stages.
4 minMeanwhile, Ribery attempts to find Benzema with a cutting pass. However, Sergio Ramos comes across to clear the danger.
3 minFrance's first attack of the night breaks down as Franck Ribery passes up possession. Spain with the ball.
2 minImmediate chance for Spain to get in down the left as Xabi Alonso releases Alba. However, Rami clears the danger.
1 minIt takes just 20 seconds for Spain to gain possession and begin to pass, pass, pass. It might be a while until France see it again.
1 minHere we go then. France get us underway.
19.43Anthems over. Handshakes over. We are almost there. I cannot wait for this one.
19.42... now it's Spain's turn.
19.41National anthem time. France first...
19.40Both sets of players are just emerging onto the pitch. What an atmosphere.
19.38My prediction for this evening is Spain 2-0 France. Luckily for the French, I am almost always wrong.
19.36It does seem strange that Spain have almost been written off this year with Germany many people's favourites. Let's remember, they are current World and European champions.
19.34Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane thinks that Benzema needs to do more this evening. He must perform for France if they are to progress that is for certain.
19.32Right, we are little under 15 minutes away from kickoff. Who are you backing to advance to the semi-finals? The winner will face Portugal.
19.30Remarkably, we have not had a 0-0 draw in the Euros this year and this is game 27. Surely it won't happen tonight - will it?
19.28Here's a word from former England winger Chris Waddle: "When you watch teams like Spain and Barcelona the full-backs are so important for providing width, and Spain's full-backs at this tournament do not get forward quick enough for me. That causes a problem," he told the BBC.
19.26In terms of players who are walking a tight line this evening - Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Jordi Alba are all a booking away from suspension for Spain. Meanwhile, Debuchy is the only man in the firing line for France.
19.24Meanwhile, a stat courtesy of Infostrada Sports on Twitter: "France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made only six saves in the group phase but also conceded three goals."
19.22Arguably their player of the tournament thus far - Mathieu Debuchy - has been given a midfield role this evening. The Lille man really has been impressive on the right side of their defence.
19.20Perhaps their biggest disappointment has been the performances of Karim Benzema thus far. The Real Madrid striker is yet to score despite having 15 shots on target. Can he end his dry spell this evening?
19.18French boss Laurent Blanc is also taking part in his fourth European Championship, and he knows what it takes to win these type of games.
19.16Meanwhile, France have form in the Euros. They have reached the quarter-finals in four of the last five tournaments - with Greece the last side to knock them out in 2004.
19.14Spain stopper Iker Casillas is winning his 135th cap for Spain tonight at the age of just 31. Some record, and some keeper.
19.12Spanish midfielder Xavi also broke the 20-year record of Dutchman Ronald Koeman when he completed 127 passes in that particular match - what a player.
19.12Spain have instead decided to flood the midfield. They remarkably amassed double the amount of completed passes than their three opponents thus far. They achieved a record of 810 to Republic of Ireland's 198 in their second match.
19.10Despite his recent troubles, Torres remains the top goalscorer in the Spanish squad with 30 international strikes to his name. But again he drops to the bench. Perhaps most surprising is the fact that Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente has not had a sniff of action thus far.
19.08Vicente Del Bosque's men will equal the European Championship record of 10 matches unbeaten if they progress this evening as they bid for their third successive major trophy in a row.
19.06Meanwhile, the Spanish have never won a European Championship quarter-final in regulation time - which again points to penalties.
19.06Looking back to previous matches between the two: France are the only side to have beaten Spain twice at the Euros - excluding them in penalty shootouts in 1984 and 2000. Could we be heading for another shootout this evening?
19.04Here's a tweet from Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand on tonight's Spanish team selection: "No Torres for Spain, no centre forward??? Who are we to question Del Bosque with his record but come on maaaaan, I want to see some goals!"
19.02France make four changes. Laurent Koscielny, Anthony Reveillere, Yohan Cabaye and Florent Malouda come into the side with Philippe Mexes suspended. Meanwhile, Samir Nasri, Alou Diarra and Hatem Ben Arfa drop to the bench.
19.02Spain have made one change from the side that beat Croatia with Cesc Fabregas replacing striker Fernando Torres in attack.
19.00Team News: France: Lloris; Reveillere, Rami, Koscielny, Clichy; Debuchy, M'Vila, Cabaye, Malouda, Ribery; Benzema
19.00Team News: Spain: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Alonso, Xavi; Iniesta, Silva, Fabregas
