Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas was thrilled to strike the winning penalty for Spain in victory over Euro2012 semifinal opponents Portugal.

It was a repeat for Fabregas after he did the same at Euro 2008 when they beat Italy and he insists he knew what was coming.

"I had intuition and wanted the fifth penalty," he said after the match.

"I told Toni Grande [Spanish assistant] I thought I could repeat that great moment [from the Italian match].

"They told me initially to take the second one but I said no give me the fifth as I had this premonition."

Fabregas says he was not happy with how he played, but was delighted to go through.

"I played awful but the team has worked a lot and had the desire," he said. "I regret telling my family not to come. I'm very excited."