Casillas credits save to Reina

Jul 05, 2010 |

JOHANNESBURG

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas credited his backup Pepe Reina for the penalty save that enabled the European champions to beat Paraguay 1-0 and qualify for their first World Cup semifinal.
Casillas dived to his left to stop Oscar Cardozo’s 59th-minute attempt, and teammate David Villa scored with seven minutes remaining at Ellis Park to send Spain through.
“Pepe Reina had told me Cardozo sent his penalty against him to the left and hard,” Casillas said. “His advice paid off.”
Reina had failed to save two penalties from Cardozo in Liverpool’s 1-2 loss to Benfica in the Europa League this past season.
Casillas also made an important late save, stopping a shot by Lucas Barrios before punching away Roque Santa Cruz’s attempt from the rebound in the 89th minute. “Spain needed a game like this, but me not so much,” Casillas said. “Sometimes you have to suffer on the field.”
Villa said Spain had been inspired by Casillas’ performance. “He was incredible. He brings us such confidence,” he said.

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