Ramos happy with ´crazy´ penalty

Spain’s Sergio Ramos says his chipped penalty in the semi-final shoot-out against Portugal was planned, and part of his ‘crazy personality’.

Despite being under the pressure of a 48,000-crowd inside the Donbass Arena, the 26-year-old did not seem daunted as he stepped up to the spot and put the ball past Rui Patricio.

The Real Madrid star felt Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque was aware he was going to try something a little different, and said he was was keen to restore his pride after his penalty shoot-out miss in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.

“Del Bosque could have had an idea that I would be capable of doing something like that, because he has worked with me for many years and deep down he knows I’m a little crazy,” Ramos said.

“I had planned it, but it’s true that you only decide when you see how the goalkeeper is acting.

“And after my recent experience in the Champions League, many people said that perhaps I wasn’t prepared, and for me as a footballer that hurt my pride, so I was keen to assume that responsibility because I felt confident.”

Spain will meet either Germany or Italy in Sunday’s final.