South Korea celebrate a glorious win (Allsport).

By James Dart, Sportinglife.com

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Co-hosts South Korea kept their amazing World Cup adventure on course for the last four as they beat Spain in a dramatic quarter-final penalty shootout.

Both teams had failed to score during normal time and golden goal extra time, although Spain were unlucky after having a fair goal disallowed and seeing Fernando Morientes strike a post in extra time.

But South Korea's five penalties were immaculate and in the end Joaquin's spot-kick miss proved ever so costly to send the Asian side into ecstasy in Gwangju.

The victory sets up a semi-final for Guus Hiddink's side against Germany and looks set to spark one almighty party on the streets of the country with an estimated five million people watching the game on outdoor screens.

Defeat was tough on Spain after they restricted South Korea to just one real opportunity during normal time, as Park Ji-Sung's shot from a tight angle was well-saved by Iker Casillas in the Spanish goal.

The closest Spain had come to scoring in the opening half came when Francesco De Pedro shot just wide of goal from the edge of the South Korean penalty area.

And a tight second period saw much endeavour from both sides, but little finished product as the game ran into extra time.

Jose Antonio Camacho and his team thought they had sealed victory early in the first period when Morientes headed home Joaquin's cross, only for the goal to be ruled out after the referee's assistant felt the ball had run over the by-line as the Real Betis man crossed.

Television replays showed that Spain had been hard done by and their disappointment was heightened soon after, when Morientes struck a post as he met a quick throw only to see his shot beat the goalkeeper but not the woodwork.

Penalties were needed to settle the game and after Casillas came close to saving Hwang Sun-Hong's first penalty, he never got close to another.

Spain converted their first three spot-kicks, but Joaquin saw his shot saved low to his left by Lee Woon-Tae.

Up stepped Hong Myung-Bo and he fired the ball into the top corner to send South Korea into the last four for the first time.

They will take on Rudi Voller's side in Seoul on Tuesday at 1230 BST.

South Korea coach Hiddink was living a dream as he celebrated his side's success after the game.

"I cannot describe how I am feeling. I am so happy for the boys who fought until the end," said former Real Madrid boss Hiddink.

"This is a complete dream, even more dreams have come true now.

"The mentality of this team to recover, even when it is getting tougher and tougher is so outrageous and almost without limits. I am so proud of these guys."

Spain coach Camacho tried to accept defeat after debatable decisions appeared to have cost his side a place in the semi-finals.

"It was hard for us, the same thing has happened to other teams," said Camacho, hinting at the similar fate that befell Italy in the second round.

"I'm sorry we couldn't do any more. We have worked and battled and the others had more luck then we did.

"All I can do is congratulate my players."