By JACK BEZANTS, Associated Press
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — It's Spain versus France for a place in the European Championship semifinals on Saturday — the most anticipated match of the tournament so far. Here you'll find the best of Saturday's action and pre-match buildup. All times are Polish.
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2243: Two goals from Xabi Alonso on his 100th appearance for Spain sealed victory for the defending champions and an all-Iberian semifinal. France created nothing going forward and is deservedly out after its first loss to Spain in seven competitive matches. Laurent Blanc's side had just one shot on target.
Sunday will see the last of the quarterfinals, as England faces Italy in Kiev. The winner will take on Germany in the semifinals.
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2235: Fulltime: Spain 2, France 0
Spain progresses to semifinals, where it will play Portugal.
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2234: Pedro earns the penalty after being pushed over by Reveillere. Alonso steps up to take the spot kick and sends Lloris the wrong way. That's Spain in the semis!
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2232: GOAL! Spain 2, France 0 (Alonso)
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2230: Penalty for Spain!
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2225: Santi Cazorla is coming on for the final few minutes for Spain, and Andres Iniesta is making way. This is very easy for the Spanish. France is offering precious little going forward.
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2217: France throws on striker Olivier Giroud for defensive midfielder Yann M'Vila in search of the equalizer. Spain is passing the ball around very comfortably, with a little over 10 minutes left for the team to see out. Debuchy's header aside, France has given the defending champions nothing to be concerned about this evening.
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2212: Ribery breaks down the left for France and is ushered into the left-hand corner of the penalty area by a number of Spain defenders. He pulls out a low cross at the last minute into the path of Benzema, but Casillas reads the danger well and claims the ball. It's still 1-0 to Spain with 19 minutes remaining.
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2206: What a pass from Xavi and it takes a great reaction stop from Lloris to prevent his side from being 2-0 down. Fabregas runs onto an exquisite through-ball by his Barcelona teammate and tries to take the ball past the onrushing Lloris with his first touch, but the goalkeeper gets down quickly to block. Torres and Pedro comes on for Fabregas and Silva for Spain.
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2200: Debuchy heads just over for France, which has seen a bit more of the ball in the last few minutes. Spain, however, is on course to record its first ever competitive victory over France and set up a semifinal meeting with Portugal back here in Donetsk.
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2154: Xabi Alonso's goal was his 14th for Spain and he just tried to make it 15, but an effort from long range flies high and wide. In the early stages, Spain has slotted straight back into its trademark passing routine.
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2147: Second half is under way. No changes by either coach.
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2135: Spain deserves its halftime lead and have hardly been troubled by the French, who will have to take a few more chances in the second half. Will Blanc make any changes at halftime? Maybe it's time for Samir Nasri.
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2132: Halftime: Spain 1, France 0.
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2125: Pique could easily have made it 2-0. The center back gets himself into space for a free header from a corner but his attempt from 10 meters goes over the bar. Ribery has a rip down the side of his shirt as he trudges back upfield after that corner. He's not seen much of the ball tonight as he goes in search of a first goal at Euro 2012.
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2119: That's 30 minutes gone and it's 1-0 to Spain. Sergio Ramos is shown a yellow card for blocking off Benzema and Cabaye takes the free kick, which is aiming for the top corner until Casillas tips the ball over the bar.
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2112: The question is, what was Alonso doing up there? He normally stations himself in front of the back four, distributing the ball.
Xavi tries his luck with a shot on the bounce from outside the penalty area, but he gets underneath the ball and it sails over the bar. France has hardly had the ball in the last 10 minutes and it's looking ominous already.
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