Xabi Alonso struck twice in his 100th international to lead Spain to a comfortable 2-0 win over a feeble France on Saturday and through to a Euro 2012 semi-final against Portugal, Reuters reported.

It was said to be an efficient and calm performance from world champions Spain, who started without a recognised striker before clinching their first competitive win over the French.

But it was a display which left most of the crowd at the Donbass Arena indifferent to its cautious pragmatism.

France coach Laurent Blanc’s tactics of playing two right backs in a defensive line-up failed as Spanish left back Jordi Alba skipped through to the goal line after 19 minutes and picked out an unmarked Alonso who headed firmly home at the far post.

The experienced midfielder coolly converted a penalty in stoppage time to give the holders the victory margin their dominance deserved.

"We controlled the match well from start to finish and Iker (Casillas) hardly had a save to make.

The important thing now is that we recuperate for the next game," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.

Alonso added: "The team was phenomenal and personally I am very satisfied with the two goals. We didn’t have that many chances but we completely controlled the match."