Good evening everyone and welcome to our live coverage of what should be a superb semi-final at Euro 2012: world and European champions Spain against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal .

Vicente del Bosque had no fear yesterday in building up the importance of this game but so far Spain haven’t risen to the occasion. They have been a bit lacklustre.

Portugal put pressure on Spain when attacking the box but Ramos produces a good headed clearance.

Xavi checks his run at the same time Alonso tries to play him in with a snappy pass. Alonso reacts by grabbing his face in frustration. Spain are strangely off-key tonight.

A more low-key start to the second half. Spain want to get their foot on the ball.

No changes from either side, though I suspect Negredo won’t last much longer if he continues to be anonymous.

KICK OFF!

Why not come and say hello on Twitter at half time?

HALF TIME. It’s goalless but Portugal have been very impressive. Spain are far from their best.

Spain win a free kick when Bruno Alves charges into Negredo from behind. That was very clumsy. Xavi dinks the ball forward and though Pique heads back across goal, Patricio plucks it out of the air.

Pepe is getting himself involved with the match officials, no surprise there, but it is Coentrao who is booked. The reason is a mystery but we think it is for dissent.

Stat from Opta: "Spain have won just two of their last 12 games against Portugal. Fourteen of Spain’s 16 wins against Portugal occurred before 1960."

Moutinho races 30 yards to win the ball back again. This has been some performance from the Porto man so far.

Ronaldo throws himself to the ground when bouncing off the back of Ramos and this time the Spain defender is booked for blocking off an opponent and preventing a Portugal break.

Portugal play it out from the back from Patricio. It’s really nice to see a side take on Spain on their own terms. Funnily enough it makes for a good contest.

Silva springs into action when driving through the centre of the pitch but while he spots the clever run of Iniesta, his pass has too much on it and rolls through to Patricio.

Stat from Opta: "Portugal and Spain have met three times in a major tournament, winning once each and drawing the other game."

Ouch. Nani catches a nasty one in the face when colliding with the back of Ramos on the far side. I think it would be unfair to suggest he meant it, but the Spain defender wasn’t exactly trying to get out of the way.

Portugal are playing the ball around with real confidence and have benefited from a positive approach. One wonders what France must be thinking have surrendered to Spain in the quarter-finals.

A gorgeous pass from Moutinho – who has been excellent so far – finds Pereira wide on the right. Alba takes possession but then loses the ball to Moutinho, who plays in Ronaldo. The shot is low and hard but drifts just wide.

Silly refereeing. Nani was on the charge but the ref pulled the game back for a foul. Advantage should have been played.

The best chance of the game so far! Negredo fizzes a pass central to Xavi, who lays it off again to Iniesta. His first touch gives him space and he opens up his body before curling an effort just over the bar. Nice from Spain.