Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he spoke to the ball before taking his penalty in the Euro 2012 semi-finals.
The 25-year-old despatched La Roja's fifth and final spot kick, which sent them through to the final after a goalless 120 minutes against Portugal.
Fabregas has now told the media of how he spoke to the ball before taking his turn.
"We had to make history," said Fabregas. "I had a funny feeling about the penalties and I was thinking about them this afternoon.
"They told me initially to take the second one but I said 'no, give me the fifth' as I had this premonition.
"When I stepped up to take the penalty I said to the ball that we had to make history and it shouldn't let me down. I talked to the ball four years ago (when he scored the winning penalty against Italy) and it didn't let me down."
Spain will face either Germany or Italy in the final of the competition.
Matt Cotton
