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Among all football games, penalty shootouts are some of the most dramatic and nerve-wracking. They provide great thrills at the end of a match, which is why this becomes important in deciding many crucial games as well as tournaments. In this post we look at the best penalty shootouts ever that have been witnessed in football history and recognize the high stakes and heroic acts that marked these encounters.
2005 Champions League Final – Liverpool vs. AC Milan
The 2005 UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool F.C. and A.C Milan was known as ‘the miracle of Istanbul’. When it ended 3:3 in normal time and extra time, a penalty shootout was used to decide it’s winner. The shootout went to Liverpool who won it by 3-2 with Jerzy Dudek making three essential saves for his team. This was one of those instances that made us sit back down from our seats when Steven Gerrard led an incredible comeback against A.C Milan after they had completed the first half leading by 3-0.
1994 World Cup Final – Brazil vs. Italy
The world cup final held in June of 1994 between Brazil and Italy ended goalless thus going into penalties to find its victor. The game ended with Brazil winning their first ever world cup on penalties after Roberto Baggio missed his spot-kick during sudden death shootouts for Italians. This action took place because Italy had earned their fourth World cup title while Baggio’s miss has since then been considered one of the iconic moments in WC history.
2006 World Cup Final – Italy vs. France
Italy played France during the final match of the FIFA world cup tournament in Germany which finished at (1-1) after regular plus extra time so that it could be resolved through a penalty shoot-out session where Italy won by (5-3). Fabio Grosso struck the winning goal during a penalty shootout which was also notable for Zinedine Zidane infamous head-butt of Marco Materazzi. This final brought an end to Zidane’s international career and it helped to secure Italy’s victory that will forever live in the memory of those who cared about the game.
2008 Champions League Final – Manchester United vs. Chelsea
The 2008 UEFA Champions league final held at Moscow between Manchester United and Chelsea ended 1:1 after extra time. In that shootout, Manchester United won by 6-5 when Edwin Van Der Sar stopped Nicolas Anelka’s spot-kick which could have given Chelsea a win in this match. The drama of John Terry slipping as he took his penalty added more excitement to this dramatic event that eventually led to Man Utd emerging victorious.
1996 European Championship Semi-Final – England vs. Germany
The Euro’96 semi-final between England and Germany finished all square at 1-1 forcing a penalty shoot-out. With Gareth Southgate missing for England, Germany gained advantage with their goalkeeper saving one spot-kick from him leading them to secure a place in the finals through sudden death shootouts. The tournament thus turned out to be even more interesting than expected thus intensifying the already existing rivalry while impacting on English football greatly.
1982 World Cup Semi-Final – France vs. West Germany
In global football history, there are some matches like France Vs West Germany where they are regarded among world cup greatest games ever played in history books today.From normal time up to extra time it ended (3-3) and then penalties decided winner.On penalties West Germany won (5-4), Horst Hrubesch scored last kick so they advanced.The tournament had its comebacks, thrilling moments, etc., which made it unforgettable.
2012 Champions League Semi-Final – Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich
Real Madrid and FC Bayern Munich played in the UEFA Champions League semi-final of 2012 that ended 3-3 on aggregate resulting into a penalty shootout. It was a frustrating moment for both CR7 and kaka as they had their spot kicks saved by Manuel Neuer at this critical point of the match, thus making it become a significant pointer to his great talent plus team’s spirit during penalty shooting between rivals.
1986 World Cup Quarter-Final – Brazil vs. France
Brazil and France played out a one-all draw in the quarter finals of the 1986 world cup after extra time. Although Michel Platini failed to convert a penalty, his team France won through with a 4-3 victory as it was. This game was an exciting meeting between two football super powers known for its high drama.
2018 World Cup Round of 16 – Croatia vs. Denmark
The 2018 FIFA world cup round of sixteen match that pitted Croatia against Denmark ended in a one-all draw necessitating penalties being taken to determine the winner. It ended up being 3-2 on pens to the Croatians with three penalty saves from their goalkeeper Danijel Subašić proving instrumental in their progression to the final where they came second.
2000 European Championship Final – Italy vs. France
The hostilities between Italy and France had reached stalemate by full time during their European championship final, leading to extra time and ultimately penalties deciding who would be champions at Rotterdam’s de Kuip Stadium on this occasion in July 2000 . Les Bleus carried day after winning it five-three including David Trezeguet’s golden goal in overtime which made this final memorable in UEFA Euro history.
Some of the most dramatic moments ever witnessed in football have come through these penalty shootouts while others are unforgettable; no wonder many football fanatics will always remember them for life!
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