Combine penalty shootouts with football’s elite tournaments and you get some of the game’s most nerve-wrecking moments.
Penalty shootouts are the ultimate test of nerve and skill in football. Even the greatest players have tasted the bitterness of of missing a crucial penalty , leaving their team’s hopes in tatters and their own reputation tarnished
In this article, we take a look at the top 5 most dramatic penalty shootouts in football history.
5- 2010 World Cup quarter-finals: Suarez’ “Hand of God” moment
In the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, Uruguay faced Ghana. With the game tied at 1-1 and just seconds remaining in extra time, Ghana was awarded a penalty. However, Uruguay’s Luis Suarez deliberately handled the ball on the goal line to keep it out, resulting in a red card and a penalty for Ghana. Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty, and Uruguay went on to win the shootout 4-2.
4- World Cup 2006 final: No Zidane, no party!
The 2006 World Cup final between Italy and France will forever be remembered for Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi. However, the game was also decided by a dramatic penalty shootout. The shootout saw Italy triumph 5-3 after France’s David Trezeguet missed the decisive penalty.
3- Euro 1996 semi-finals: Moller ends England’s trophy dreams
Euro 1996 saw England reach the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time in six years. However, their dreams of lifting the trophy were dashed by Germany. The game finished 1-1, and the shootout was tied at 5-5 when Gareth Southgate missed for England. Andreas Moller scored the winning penalty for Germany.
2- Champions League 2004-05 final: Liverpool’s unbelievable comeback
The 2004-05 Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan is widely regarded as one of the greatest finals of all time. Milan took a 3-0 lead into half-time, but Liverpool produced an incredible comeback to level the game at 3-3. The game went to penalties, and Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek made two incredible saves to deny Milan and secure a famous victory.
1- World Cup 1994 final: Italy’s heartbreak at Rose Bowl
The 1994 World Cup final between Italy and Brazil was a tense affair, with neither team able to find the back of the net. The game went to penalties, and Italy’s Roberto Baggio famously missed the decisive penalty, sending the trophy to Brazil. It was a heartbreaking moment for Italy, who had fought so hard to reach the final.
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