Spanish players show their anger afterwards (Allsport)

By PA Sport Staff

South Korea coach Guus Hiddink was living a dream after his side knocked out Spain in a penalty shoot-out to move into the World Cup semi-finals.

After a goalless two hours of play, it was the co-hosts who held their nerve in the dramatic ending to add the Spaniards to the scalps of Poland, Portugal and Italy.

Joaquin was the only man to miss from the spot as Spain failed to repeat their penalty success over the Republic of Ireland.

"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."

After failing to win a World Cup finals match in 14 attempts before this tournament, Korea will now face Germany in the last four.

But Hiddink said: "First we will have a little glass of champagne and then think about the next game.

"We will celebrate a little and then tomorrow is another day."

Hiddink continued: "We approach the next game against the Germans like a bunch of young dogs, we have nothing to lose.

"We had two less days rest than Spain and we will have one less than Germany so that's why it is a big compliment to my team to get this far.

"Today's win was a tremendous achievement by the boys and it was a 50-50 game. We were a little shaky sometimes but so were the Spaniards.

"It was very high in tension. We took our penalties well and it was a real classic."

Hiddink is due to step down at the end of the tournament, with PSV Eindhoven leading the race to sign him.

"My contract expires after the World Cup and it would have expired already after we were happy with our in in the first game against Poland," he said.

"It would have expired if we had not qualified for the second round, but it goes on until our last game and then it expires."

Hiddink will be in massive demand after turning around the fortunes of the national side since taking over at the start of last year.

"I have tried to give my experience so the players can catch up with the international level," he said.

"It has been tough for them but they have never given up and with this big effort they have got their rewards."

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

Fernando Morientes had a goal ruled out after the assistant referee ruled that the ball had gone out of play, only for replays to reveal that the strike was legitimate.

And Luis Enrique was pulled back for a questionable offside as he was bearing down on the Korean goal.

"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."

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas was the hero of the second round penalty shoot-out against the Republic of Ireland.

But the Real Madrid star failed to to save a kick today.

"Penalties are a lottery. As I said last week, one day you can save five penalties and the next not even one," said Casillas.

Casillas ducked a question on the officiating, which saw key decisions again go the way of the co-hosts.

However, he admitted Spain had not expected any favours from the referee after seeing how Korea had benefited in previous rounds.

"Everyone has seen the game. We knew what it was going to be like, we had chances, but couldn't take them, we had at least three chances to win and then penalties are a lottery.

"After the Italy game and with all that happened against Portugal we were expecting it, but I thought we dealt with it well on the pitch.

"We are all sad, we've never been semi-finalists, now we will have to wait another four years to qualify and try again.

"However, we have to keep our heads up and know we have gone out without having lost a game."