Shooting a penalty is one of the most intense moments in soccer. Though it’s a team sport, in that critical moment, the kicker and goalkeeper feel as if they’re the loneliest people on the planet. Each opponent tries to decipher the other’s mind: Which leg will they use? Where will the shot go? The kicker runs—sometimes in slow motion, sometimes with frantic speed—and shoots. In seconds, the stadium’s silent tension erupts into uncontrollable joy or despair. In FIFA World Cup history, three finals have been decided by penalties.
Germany boasts a flawless 4-0 record in shootouts, while England has struggled (0-3). Since Manuel Rosas scored the first World Cup penalty for Mexico against Argentina in 1930, 80% of these shots have succeeded. Which penalties left the deepest mark? At PanamericanWorld, we revisit 10 unforgettable moments.
FABIO GROSSO PUT THE FOURTH STAR ON ITALY’S UNIFORM
Germany hosted the second World Cup final decided by penalties in 2006. Italy and France clashed in a fiery match marked by Zidane’s infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi. After a 1-1 draw, David Trezeguet’s missed penalty gave Fabio Grosso the chance to seal Italy’s fourth title. His cool finish past Fabien Barthez sparked azzurri euphoria.
ANDREAS BREHME MADE THE MOST OF CODESAL’S GIFT IN 1990 ITALY
In the 1990 final, Argentina held Germany 0-0 despite two red cards. Mexican referee Edgardo Codesal awarded a dubious late penalty. Andreas Brehme converted, dashing Sergio Goycochea’s heroics and securing Germany’s third title.
ZIDANE, “PANENKA” STYLE IN 2006 GERMANY
Zinedine Zidane’s audacious Panenka penalty against Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon gave France an early lead in the 2006 final. Though France later collapsed, the chip remains iconic.
MICHAEL UMAÑA, HERO AND VILLAIN OF COSTA
Costa Rica’s team was one of the great sensations during the 2014 Brazil World Cup. Not many people believed that the Costa Rican team would make it through the “death team”, made up of Italy, England and Uruguay; nevertheless, the Central American players were the winners of the group, with seven points. In the round before quarter finals, a goal delivered by Greek Sokratis in injury time equalized the game and sent it to penalties. Michael Umaña scored the fifth and decisive goal, so that first the first time in history Costa Rica became one of the top eight teams of the world. The next game, against Holland, was also decided by penalties, but Bryan Ruiz and Umaña missed their shots and the Europeans won 4-3.
BAGGIO, A KICK TO THE CLOUDS THAT SANK ITALY IN 1994
The final of the World Cup hosted by the United States in 1994 was written down in record books, since it was the first time the champion was decided by a round of penalties. Moreover, all decisive games had had at least one goal, but neither the Brazilian team nor the Italian players could make it. The great azzurri star, Roberto Baggio, was tasked with shooting the fifth penalty. Italian fans were waiting for their 10 to score and buttress their hopes; nevertheless, Baggio kicked the ball up to the clouds and Brazil became a four-time champion. The image of an inconsolable Baggio after his failure is part of the history of World Cups.
ZICO’S FAILURE STOPPED BRAZIL FROM PLAYING A FINAL
During the quarterfinals of 1986 Mexico World Cup, Brazil and France had a great game. In the second half, a foul in the area gave Brazil a penalty. Zico was in charge of taking it. If Zico had done it right, Brazil would have gone to the semifinal, but he missed the shot. The game finished 1-1 and Zico scored in the round of penalties, but his teammates Socrates and Julio Cesar did not, so France got the green light.
DONADONI AND SERENA SET SAN PAOLO ON FIRE
The Italian fans were hoping to see their team back in a world final in the 1990 edition of the event. In the semifinal game, the azzurris faced Maradona’s Argentina at San Paolo stadium, in Naples. The European team had the lead, with a goal kicked by Salvatore Schillaci, but Claudio Caniggia drew level. There were no more goals, so the game was decided by penalties. The first three players from each team scored goals, but in the fourth round goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea caught Roberto Donadoni’s ball; then, Maradona serenely scored his penalty and silenced the tifossi. Italy needed Aldo Serena’s goal, but Goycochea took him down as well and Argentina moved on to its second final in a row.
ASAMOAH GYAN, GHANA DOES NOT WIN IN SOUTH AFRICA
Ghana was the African team closer to playing a World Cup semifinal. In 2010 South Africa, this team faced Uruguay in quarterfinals and the game was tied in the last minute with one goal. A shot seemed likely to enter the goal that was defended by Fernando Muslera, but forward Luis Suarez stopped the ball with his hands.
Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca sent him off and gave a penalty. Asamoah Gyan had Ghana’s win in his feet, but he missed the penalty. The match finished with a round of penalties and Muslera was the hero by catching two balls.
JOAQUIN UNLEASHED THE KOREAN EUPHORIA
Spain does not forget what happened in the quarterfinals of the Korea-Japan World Cup, in 2002. The “Red Fury” was the great favorite to defeat South Korea, but Egyptian referee Gamal Al-Ghandour had an unfortunate afternoon and his mistaken decisions brought about a 0-0 scoreboard. In the round of penalties, Joaquin missed his kick and the locals climbed to the semifinal.
RONALD DE BOER PUT HOLLAND ON ITS KNEES
Brazil and Holland played an unforgettable semifinal match in the 1998 World Cup. Ronaldo gave the South American team a leading point, but forward Patrick Kluivert equalized the game three minutes before it came to an end. They went to penalties. The Dutch team hoped that goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar could stop the Brazilian shots, but he couldn’t and Claudio Taffarel saved the day by intercepting Philipe Cocu’s and Ronald de Boer’s balls.
