Casillas in debt to understudy Reina

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas said team-mate Pepe Reina should take the credit for his crucial penalty save in the World Cup quarter-final win over Paraguay.

Casillas kept out Oscar Cardozo’s spot-kick before the European champions went on to secure a nervy 1-0 win and a place in the semi-finals against Germany on Wednesday.

“Reina told me where Cardozo liked to hit his penalties,” said Casillas.

Liverpool goalkeeper Reina had been beaten twice from the penalty spot by the Paraguayan striker in Benfica’s Europa League quarter-final win last season, but he knew that Cardozo’s preference was to hit them to the left of the goalkeeper.

“It was a nervous time,” said Spanish skipper Casillas. “I had such a huge responsibility.”