Xabi Alonso's powerful header and penalty kick helped World Cup and Euro champions Spain beat France 2-0 in the Euro 2012 quarterfinals here on Saturday night.

In the 19th minute, France's two right-backs were beaten by Jordi Alba, from Andres Iniesta's pass, and Alba pulled out a perfect chipped cross to Alonso at the far-post to head home.

In injury time, Anthony Reveillere tackled down Pedro in the box to concede a penalty. Alonso sent keeper Hugo Lloris the wrong way to seal the win.

It was Alonso's 100th international cap and he was named the Man of the Match.

Spain had never beaten France in the World Cup and Euro Championship history. They broke the jinx tonight and extended their unbeaten run in the competitive games to 18 after they lost 1-0 to Switzerland in the 2010 World Cup group stage.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said after the match, "We want the possession of ball to create scoring chances. We are in control most of the time."

Spain almost dominated the duel with their accurate passes and crosses. They boasted 60 percent of ball possession in the first half and 55 percent in full time.

"I don't want to talk about a particular player. It is good work of the whole team," Bosque noted.

Bosque reverted to his strikerless starting formation, replacing Fernando Torres with Cesc Fabregas in his only change from the win against Croatia. France made four changes and started with two right-backs in Reveillere and Mathieu Debuchy, although neither could prevent Alba supplying Alonso with a telling cross.

France had barely tested the Spanish defence and Karim Benzema wasted a 25-yard free-kick by lofting it so high over the bar that Yohan Cabaye took over for the next one. The Newcastle midfielder did much better, forcing Iker Casillas into a smart one-handed save just under his crossbar.

While France sent on Samir Nasri and Jeremy Menez in the 65th minute, Spain introduced Pedro and Torres, who would have combined to double the lead after another beautifully-crafted attack had Koscielny not been on hand with another timely interception.

France coach Laurent Blanc said at the post-match press conference,"Spain's left wing is stronger. We planned to stop them on this side. They had only one cross from this side in the first half. But they scored."

"We watched a lot of videos. We want to put them under pressure, but they earned the lead in 20 minutes," Blanc added.

"We have less ball possession. It is very difficult to create chances, the clear-cut chances in particular," he admitted.

Spain will take on Portugal, who edged the Czech Republic 1-0, in the semifinal.

Bosque said,"It will be a difficult match against Portugal. They have two days more to rest."

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet