Kevin Fylan

They won 5-3 after the match finished goalless after 120 minutes. Hong Myung-bo converted the final spot-kick to send the stadium into delirium after Joaquin had missed Spain's fourth effort.

The co-hosts will now face Germany in Tuesday's semi-final for the right to play in the Yokohama final on June 30. Brazil will play either Turkey or Senegal in the other semi-final.

For both teams, it was the second time running that they had endured extra-time, Spain beating Ireland on penalties and South Korea ousting Italy with a golden goal from Ahn Jung-hwan in their second round matches.

South Korea's passionate "Red Devils" supporters packed the stands for the prospect of another glorious victory over European heavyweights, following their huge upset wins against Portugal and Italy.

In extra-time, Spain's Fernando Morientes twice thought he had settled it, controversially having a goal disallowed because the ball was ruled to have earlier run out of play and another shot struck the woodwork.

Iker Casillas was forced into a fine save on 67 minutes, beating away a snap shot from Park Ji-sung, but there had been little else for the fans to cheer about for long stretches in a game mostly dominated by Spain.

STARTED CAUTIOUSLY

Both sides started cautiously and only a couple of quick Ahn breaks from midfield into the penalty area created any danger in the first 10 minutes.

Spain, playing Morientes as a lone forward in the absence of Raul, were content to sit back and conserve energy with the heat and humidity among the side's main concerns.

A Morientes header gave Spain their first good chance on 27 minutes, goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae clutching the ball gratefully just under his crossbar.

South Korea were getting nowhere, as Ivan Helguera and Baraja created a formidable barrier in front of the defence and Spain gradually took control of the game.

With half-time approaching, Javi de Pedro flashed a left-foot shot just wide from 20 metres and in injury time Fernando Hierro rose highest in a crowded area to head over.

Spain thought they had taken the lead four minutes into the second half. De Pedro's freekick cross went in after hitting the back of Kim Tae-young as a group of players went up for the header but the goal was disallowed, apparently for offside.

Spain were now looking menacing and Joaquin cut in again from the right to force a save.

South Korea did sound one warning with Park's goalbound effort but Spain were in the driving seat as they looked to match their best World Cup performance of fourth back in 1950.

Then in the second minute of extra time, Morientes headed the ball home from inside the six-metre box but the linesman ruled that the ball had already crossed the deadball line although TV replays indicated it had not.

Morientes went agonisingly close to claiming a last four spot for Spain eight minutes later, his flick from a quickly taken throw rebounding off the far post.