Fàbregas happy to answer country's call

As Cesc Fàbregas walked up to face Gianluigi Buffon – and strike the penalty that would put Spain into their first senior semi-final for 24 years – what was running through his head was the fact he had not taken a proper spot-kick since he was 15.

Mental obstacle
If only Buffon had known. Eventually the ball went one way and Italy's goalkeeper the other. Spain had defeated the world champions and rid themselves of many of their notorious mental obstacles to success. But that was not the whole story, not by a long way. Firstly, the midfielder almost missed. "It's true this was the first senior competitive penalty of my career," he grinned. "But when I practise, I have a tendency to put it to the keeper's left. However, this time, and I don't know why, I just hesitated a split-second longer than usual before pulling the trigger and I sensed Buffon moving to his left. I changed my mind, struck it to his right and the fact he'd just moved, momentarily, did the job. I just wanted to score, to finish them off. Life sometimes presents you with the challenge of your country needing you and that was mine."

Assured performance
Not only did Fàbregas win the match and end Spain's seemingly perpetual block at playing Italy competitively, at getting past the quarter-finals of tournaments and at winning penalty shoot-outs; he also performed with energy and assurance when he came on for Xavi Hernández after 60 minutes. Some judges would now find a way to break up Luis Aragonés's winning XI and make sure the Arsenal FC man plays no matter what. Yet even in the euphoria of sharing the post-match dressing room with King Juan Carlos of Spain, who came in to celebrate with the squad, Fàbregas played a blinder, saying: "There has been so much talk about my being a substitute, about my attitude and my form, but all I want is to help my country. If the boss wants to go with the same starting lineup, if he wants me on in the first minute or the last, for extra time or penalties, I'll be there for him, ready to contribute. And if he decides to leave me out because he thinks that's what is needed, I won't change my attitude either."

Final goal
Aside from his innate talent and what Arsène Wenger has managed to impart to him at Arsenal's training ground, one of the 21-year-old's most valuable assets is a tremendous hunger for success. With the talk of jinxes having been scrapped, the Catalan is clear about what should happen next. "Neither Spain nor I came to this tournament simply to get the monkey off our backs regarding quarter-finals. We are here to win and we think we can do it. This is just one tiny step forward and anyone who believes they are going to see the same sort of Russia performance as in the first game is very much mistaken. There's lots still to be done."