Sevilla coach Unai Emery said he never doubted Kevin Gameiro could take a penalty despite the striker suffering an injury late in Thursday's Europa League triumph over Athletic Bilbao.
Gameiro pulled up injured in the final minute of extra time but he still stepped up to deliver the clinching spot-kick in the fifth round of the shootout.
The situation was similar to 2014, when Gameiro struggled with a knee injury but still delivered the decisive penalty in the the Europa League final.
And he was the hero again on Thursday as Sevilla won the shootout 5-4 to reach the semifinals for the third straight year.
Emery said of Gameiro: "The first medical assessment was that he could not take the penalty, but I spoke to him and if he scored two years ago injured, he was going to hit it.
"We knew he had taken one injured, and so if he could hit it, he was going to have to step up."
Emery also gave credit to Athletic, who won the second leg 2-1 to force extra time.
"Happiness is felt all around Sevilla. We have arrived for the third consecutive time in the semifinals which is not easy," Emery said.
"We were prepared for the possibility of extra time and penalties. We have to give credit to Athletic for a great tie.
"But Sevilla never gives up."