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- Italy's Giorgio Chiellini psyched out his opponents by smiling and laughing moments before a crucial penalty shootout.
- Spain captain Jordi Alba was left looking perplexed as they decided which end the kicks would be taken from.
- Italy reached the Euro 2020 final after defeating Spain 4-2 on penalties at Wembley stadium.
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Italian captain Giorgio Chiellini looked uncharacteristically cheerful moments before Italy defeated Spain in a Euro 2020 penalty shoot-out, and his relaxed demeanor seemed to psyche out his opposite number.
With a place in the final up for grabs, it would have been understandable that the respective captains were nervous as they tossed a coin to decide which end of Wembley the kicks would be taken from.
However, Juventus defender Chiellini laughed and joked with referee Felix Brych and Spain's Jordi Alba as they decided, and seemed to somewhat freak out Alba, Spain's stand in captain.
The semi-final match was sent to penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time at Wembley.
After a goalless first half, Federico Chiesa put Italy in front on the hour mark but Juventus' Álvaro Morata equalized 10 minutes before the final whistle.
An extra period of 30 minutes ended goalless meaning penalties were needed to decide a winner.
As their teammates huddled together, the two captains met referee Brych in the middle to decide which end the spot kicks would be taken from but the emotions of the pair could hardly have been different.
Barcelona left back Alba, who had taken the armband after his club-mate Sergio Busquets left the field, looked serious and focused while Chiellini was laughing and smiling.
Alba looked bemused, and became seemingly more confused when the Italian defender began hugging him.
It appeared the full back was so put off by Chiellini's friendliness that he forgot to pick heads or tails when the referee tossed the coin.
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Referee Brych could not help but join in on the laughs as he tossed the coin a second time before it was decided that the penalties would be taken in front of the Italian fans.
Considering footballers are always looking for a psychological edge, Chiellini's demeanor could all well have been part of the plan.
Not only was Alba unnerved by his opponent's friendliness, but Chiellini's teammates likely looked at him and saw a relaxed, confident captain, something which would have no doubt given them their own confidence going into the shootout.
Italy bounced back after Manuel Locatelli missed the first penalty of the shootout, scoring all four of subsequent penalties to progress to a second Euro final in the last three championships.
Italy will now play the winner of Wednesday's game between England and Denmark in the final.