In a game of few chances in Kiev, largely down to France’s severe lack of penetration and Spain’s trademark pass possession stakes, Xabi Alonso marked his 100th international cap with a rare brace to ease the World and European champions into a third consecutive semi-final at a major international tournament.

Laurent Blanc tweaked his team again by giving Reveillere a first appearance at the finals whilst pushing normally right back by trade- Debuchy, on the right side of midfield in an attempt to nullify Spain’s attacks from the left flank as well as bringing in Malouda at the expense of Diarra.

Blanc’s negative tactics were undone just shy of the 20 minute mark when Jordi Alba capitalised on an unfortunate slip from Releillere after attempting to track the Valencia man but was too late as Alba found Alonso at the far post with a pacey cross where the former Liverpool midfielder brilliantly headed past Lloris in the France goal to make it 1-0.

Spain typically retained their lead by retaining possession with Alonso and Xavi dictating the play. Del Bosque opted again to play without a striker as Torres was replaced by Fabregas in the starting line-up, who played as a false number 9 like he had against Italy.

The win was never really in doubt. Four shots on goal and just on target was indicative of France’s cautions attacking; the closest they came to threatening Iker Casillas goal was when Debuchy’s speculative header cleared the bar from just inside the penalty area.

It has been strange to see a team play without a natural centre forward which Spain did natural until the introduction of Torres inside the final half an hour of the game but what was an even odder was that Spain had more strikers on the bench than France had their squad altogether.

France got more of a foothold on the game after the restart but were unable to penetrate the Spanish defence. Even the introductions of Nasri, Menez and Geroud made little effort. The game sealed when substitute Pedro- making his first appearance of the tournament- was shoved off the ball by Releille before the penalty was given. The rest was ominous when Alonso sent Llloris the wrong way to put the result beyond doubt.

The decision to only bring out and out centre forwards to Poland and Ukraine has been a costly one and was epitomised by the fact that France only created four chances throughout the whole second half and just one of them being on target. Les blues had gone twenty four games unbeaten before Monday’s surprise defeat to Sweden but goals have been a problem at times; the three goals scored prior to tonight’s game came from midfielders- Nasri, Menez and Cabaye.

Playing Spain appears to becoming increasingly difficult as getting the ball off them is half the battle and using it quickly, effectively and clinically is the other half and in all fairness; France did get more of foothold after the restart and kept the ball well at times but ultimately were devoid of cutting edge which will come to greater disappointment as Spain have been vulnerable at the back on occasions of late, particularly against Italy- the only team to score against them and Croatia who could have knocked them out in the final group game after a sold display. But Benzema and Giroud could do little to test a makeshift central pairing of Ramos-Pique who went untroubled for most of the game.

Despite questions marks on the Spanish backline, only one goals has been conceded by las rojas but the absence of Puyol could be telling when Spain meet more attacking teams such as Portugal or possibly Germany in the final- both of whom have already scored 6 and 9 goals respectively.