But this time around, del Bosque utilized the possession game in a different way.
Del Bosque wasn't going to ditch the veterans who had delivered the last two trophies.
Beautiful football might be what people demand, but results are what Del Bosque deals in first.
CNN: Euro 2012 final: Can Italy stop Spain's bid for history?
But Del Bosque said although he was worried about Torres, expectations for his recovery were good.
"We will enjoy this, but then we have to go on, " said Del Bosque, the Spain coach.
"I don't think it's an unfair result, " said Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque.
When Spain boss Vicente del Bosque gathered his team some six weeks ago, he found a tired and weary squad.
Del Bosque told BBC Scotland that Group I was "very open" and that "every rival must be treated with respect".
BBC: Spain manager Del Bosque to treat Scotland with respect
Defeat would leave Spain five points behind Les Bleus and almost certainly condemn Vicente Del Bosque's men to the playoffs.
Del Bosque would not be drawn on who he felt was likely to finish second in the group behind his side.
BBC: Spain manager Del Bosque to treat Scotland with respect
Real coach Vicente del Bosque will have to decide between Nicolas Anelka and Fernando Morientes to partner Raul Gonzalez in attack.
"He continues to be an important player for us and one that the other squad members are used to, " said Del Bosque.
But Vicente del Bosque, in time-honoured tradition, insists the Scots will pose his players problems when they meet at Hampden in October.
BBC: Spain manager Del Bosque to treat Scotland with respect
"We were lucky this time, " said Vicente Del Bosque, the Spanish coach.
WSJ: Euro 2012: Spain Beats Portugal on Penalty Kicks, Stands One Win From Immortality
"Pedro is a dynamic player, " Spain coach Vicente del Bosque told reporters.
"We don't know much about the Scottish team, although we have an idea of what Scottish football is generally like, " said Del Bosque.
BBC: Spain manager Del Bosque to treat Scotland with respect
David Villa scored both goals as the pre-tournament favourites bounced back from their shock defeat by Switzerland, but Del Bosque was left unimpressed.
Most people are buried lying down, except in the Cipreses del Bosque graveyard in Mexico, where it is traditional to bury them standing up.
Coach Vicente del Bosque withdrew his misfiring strike-force of Fernando Torres and David Villa in the 58th minute, bringing on David Silva and Daniel Guiza.
Meanwhile, Vicente del Bosque -- whose Spain side became the first team to successfully defend the European Championship -- was named Coach of the Year.
Del Bosque's men grew in confidence after taking the lead and, with Ronaldo anonymous, Portugal seemed short on ideas of how they could find an equaliser.
"I am happy because the three points put us in a good situation, but also because we stuck to our style, " said Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque.
Captain John Terry scored the winner against Germany in Berlin in November but agreed that he will be in for a tougher evening against Vicente del Bosque's side.
Boss Vicente del Bosque also has injury concerns over midfielder Xavi who is playing through a calf tear that may see him ruled out of the World Cup.
On Sunday, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque hedged his bets as to whether Torres, who scored the winning goal in their Euro 2008 final victory over Germany, would start Wednesday's semi-final.
Del Bosque, assuming he is still the manager when the European Championship qualifiers come around, is hopeful of reviving some great memories of Scotland when Spain visit at the beginning of October.
BBC: Spain manager Del Bosque to treat Scotland with respect
Vicente del Bosque's side have still not clicked in South Africa - and the South Americans put them under real pressure before being controversially reduced to 10 men just before half-time in Pretoria.
If Switzerland beat Honduras in their final game, it is a match Del Bosque's team probably have to win against the Group H leaders if Spain are to qualify for the knock-out stages.
The European champions are likely to need a win against Chile in their final group match to make the second round and Del Bosque looks set to again partner Villa with the fit-again Fernando Torres.
Alvaro Negredo, who had played just 30 minutes at the tournament as a substitute in Spain's 1-0 group-stage win over Croatia, did little to justify Del Bosque's surprise decision to name him to the starting lineup.
WSJ: Euro 2012: Spain Beats Portugal on Penalty Kicks, Stands One Win From Immortality
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