Spain plays Barca game - minus Messi

World champion side faces tough test against fellow Iberians in the Euro 2012 semis, Agence France-Presse reports.

Eight goals in four games - albeit half of those against Ireland - and Spain is moving on toward its date with destiny as it targets an unprecedented third straight major title. Spain has had to deal with a certain amount of criticism as against Italy and Croatia it found it hard to serve up caviar soccer, particularly with coach Vicente Del Bosque's predilection for economizing on the strikers.

Yet the Furia Roja are now at the business end of the tournament and have a reputation to live up to as the pass masters of the modern game.