But limping into the last four are Spain, who played out a 120-minute stinker with Italy in the only blemish of the Euro 2008 quarter-finals.

Showing limited ambition to finish the job in regulation time, both sides played with only one objective in their minds: settling the argument with a duel from 12 yards.

We have seen counter-attacks, but the fare on display at Ernst Happel Stadion was two teams trying to counter the counter-attack as it became a case of 'after you' as the fear of failure set in.

The shoot-out was cruel, but it offered the ready-made excuse of bad luck ruining the day.

With the world champions out of the way, it begs the question of how Luis Aragones can withstand Guus Hiddink's blitzkrieg; the answer depends on who is the bigger risk-taker.

Against Italy, Aragones tried to reverse the situation by overhauling his midfield when it became clear that the Azzurri were banking on their defence to win the day.

Out went Barcelona's possession-based play of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta that found no detours past Italy, replaced by the incisiveness of Cesc Fabregas.

Not that it made any significant impact. David Villa, Fernando Torres, and later Daniel Guiza, were still starved of service and a clear sight on goal as Aragones' gamble failed.

That certainly has been the theme of the quarter-finals, with sides that make full use of that one last throw of the dice to come up with the winning hand.

Michael Ballack, stifled in a conventional 4-4-2, proved that midfield diamonds are forever when Joachim Loew liberated his captain by giving him a free role behind the strikers against Portugal.

Fatih Terim's sensational comebacks have plenty to do with astute substitutions, intensifying firepower to chase results.

Hiddink, with the benefit of the Russian league reaching its midway point, has his players peaking at the right moment.

He gambled by plonking the suspended Andrei Arshavin straight back into the line-up and the results have been breath-taking.

If there is one positive that Spain could draw, it would be how they defied history and ended their losing streak in June 22 shoot-outs.

Before this, Spain had lost thrice in penalty shoot-outs - all on June 22 . These were to Belgium at the 1986 World Cup, to England at Euro 96 and to Korea at the 2002 World Cup.

Sunday's win was morale-boosting but, looking at the bigger picture, they were simply the better team in a sterile encounter.

It seems ironical that the matadors had hitherto played football that made you want to shout 'Ole, ole, ole''.

Against stoic and stubborn opponents like Italy, Spain simply clammed up, put up an Iron Curtain and stopped playing football.

Hiddink's all-singing, all-dancing men have blossomed spectacularly and it is now up to the matadors to grab the bull by the horns.

With Russia efficient and Spain deficient, the result is clear.

Hiddink's team have been completely transformed.

From the side that were stuffed 1-4 two weeks ago, they have become not only genuine contenders but have also replaced the Netherlands as the tournament's most attractive outfit.

Unless Aragones has an ace hidden up his sleeve, expect to see cheering Moscovites in Vienna this Sunday.

And that is no longer a pipe dream.

meng@sph.com.sg