Spain booked a date with Brazil in the Confederations Cup final with an 7-6 penalty shoot-out victory over Italy.
Del Bosque's men monopolised possession but lacked a cutting edge in attack, while Italy were missed numerous missed chances throughout as the match ended goalless.
With nothing to separate the two nations the game went to penalties, where Navas proved to be the hero as he scored the crucial spot kick as the shoot-out finished 7-6 to Spain.
Italia, though, with the Fortaleza crowd backing them, looked superb on the counterattack. After Alberto Gilardino had failed to pick out the bottom corner from Antonio Candreva's cross, they became increasingly confident and forged yet more chances to find the net.
In the 19th minute Marchisio missed the best of the bunch, though, as he nodded the ball well wide of the target from Candreva's cushion despite finding plenty of space between the two centre-backs.
Jordi Alba was being nullified by the adventurous combination of Candreva and Maggio, and the latter was only denied a goal when a brilliant Casillas save kept his 37th-minute header out of the net.
With La Roja failing to show an increased threat immediately after the restart Del Bosque introduced Jesus Navas in the 50th minute. The new Manchester City signing had a positive impact, calling Gianluigi Buffon into action with a driven shot from 20 yards shortly before the hour mark.
There were chances for both sides to win the game in normal time, though neither team could break the deadlock. Marchisio's attempt from a Candreva cutback was blocked by Gerard Pique before Pedro and the Barcelona centre-back wasted two great opportunities to work Buffon, and extra time ensued.
After three minutes of the additional period Italy had their best chance of the night. Maggio's cross rolled through to iaccherini at the back post, whose thumped attempted crashed back off of Casillas' post.
With five minutes left to play Xavi was denied an absolutely magnificent winner when his long-range shot was turned onto the post by Buffon. The Juventus keeper was forced to make another save from Navas one minute later to ensure the game went to penalties.
Candreva got Italy off to the perfect start by dinking the first penalty straight down the middle and all subsequent spot kicks were scored until Bonucci skied from 12 yards with the score level at 6-6. Responsibilty fell to Navas who slotted the ball home to send Spain into the final.
Spain will now take place in Sunday's final against Brazil at the Maracana, while Italy will contest the third-place play-off against Uruguay in Salvador on the same day/Goal.com
Del Bosque's men monopolised possession but lacked a cutting edge in attack, while Italy were missed numerous missed chances throughout as the match ended goalless.
With nothing to separate the two nations the game went to penalties, where Navas proved to be the hero as he scored the crucial spot kick as the shoot-out finished 7-6 to Spain.
Italia, though, with the Fortaleza crowd backing them, looked superb on the counterattack. After Alberto Gilardino had failed to pick out the bottom corner from Antonio Candreva's cross, they became increasingly confident and forged yet more chances to find the net.
In the 19th minute Marchisio missed the best of the bunch, though, as he nodded the ball well wide of the target from Candreva's cushion despite finding plenty of space between the two centre-backs.
With La Roja failing to show an increased threat immediately after the restart Del Bosque introduced Jesus Navas in the 50th minute. The new Manchester City signing had a positive impact, calling Gianluigi Buffon into action with a driven shot from 20 yards shortly before the hour mark.
There were chances for both sides to win the game in normal time, though neither team could break the deadlock. Marchisio's attempt from a Candreva cutback was blocked by Gerard Pique before Pedro and the Barcelona centre-back wasted two great opportunities to work Buffon, and extra time ensued.
After three minutes of the additional period Italy had their best chance of the night. Maggio's cross rolled through to iaccherini at the back post, whose thumped attempted crashed back off of Casillas' post.
With five minutes left to play Xavi was denied an absolutely magnificent winner when his long-range shot was turned onto the post by Buffon. The Juventus keeper was forced to make another save from Navas one minute later to ensure the game went to penalties.
Candreva got Italy off to the perfect start by dinking the first penalty straight down the middle and all subsequent spot kicks were scored until Bonucci skied from 12 yards with the score level at 6-6. Responsibilty fell to Navas who slotted the ball home to send Spain into the final.
Spain will now take place in Sunday's final against Brazil at the Maracana, while Italy will contest the third-place play-off against Uruguay in Salvador on the same day/Goal.com
