Fabregas revels in hero role as sluggish Spain reach final the hard way

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UPDATED:

08:53 GMT, 28 June 2012

Cesc Fabregas hailed Spain's penalty shootout win over Portugal as a 'miracle', while coach Vicente Del Bosque called for one last mighty effort as they look to claim their third consecutive major title.

Substitute Fabregas slotted away the decisive spot-kick after Bruno Alves had struck the bar for Portugal as defending champions Spain claimed their place in the Euro 2012 final with a 4-2 win in the shootout.

Hero: Fabregas scored the winning penalty in Donetsk

The match finished goalless after extra time with chances few and far between, but Fabregas was still in celebratory mood.

'Being in another final is a miracle, it's very emotional,' said the midfielder.

'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.

'I had a premonition, an intuition that things were going to come off
and that life had reserved something for me as nice as this.

'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.'

Del Bosque praised his side's fighting spirit and looked ahead to
Sunday's final against either Germany or Italy, saying: 'The players
have played so many matches and they have to show their best in one
more.'

Del Bosque added: 'It was a very even match but maybe we were a little better in extra time.

Just… Fabregas's effort went in off the inside of the post

'They looked a bit tired, but there were few chances before that. It wasn't easy to get through their defence.

'They were superior when it came to defence and we didn't have that many
opportunities so it was very balanced. In extra time it was slightly
different and we had lots of luck with the penalties.

'I would like to express my congratulations to Portugal because they played a great tournament, but we were luckier this time.'

Party time: Spain's players run over to celebrate with their fans

Del Bosque is aware his side will need to play better in the final,
although he is not worried about who they will face in the showpiece.

'Portugal were in control today and both teams only had a few chances to score, so we have to improve on this,' he said.

'The other semi-final will be a great match and whoever our opponent is
in the final, that will also be a great match. But we don't care about
who our opponents are.'

Disconsolate: Portugal's players and manager Bento (below) react after Fabregas' penalty

Portugal coach Paulo Bento rued his side's missed opportunities, saying:
'I think we were the better team but we couldn't take our chances.

'Spain were stronger in extra time but we could have won it in the first
90 minutes because we were very good in the first half and at the end
of the second half.

'If I had to choose a way of losing I wouldn't choose this one but you have to lose some way.

One more step: Spain face the winner of Germany v Italy on Sunday night

'We have in my opinion played a very good tournament. Spain is a great team and we can leave the pitch with our heads held high.

'We can be sure we can compete with any team in any tournament at any level. We know how to compete and that's what we've shown.

'Spain really deserve to be in the finals but, at the same time, I want
to thank and praise my players for what they have shown in this
tournament.'