Chip penalties are double-edged swords.If you score one you look like a bad-ass. If you miss one , you look like an idiot.
The Spicy:
Antonín Panenka (Czecheslovakia)
The original. Antonín Panenka graced the first penalty shoot-out in European Cup history with this effort, scored to secure a 5-3 win on penalties for Czecheslovakia over West Germany in the 1974 final. A run-up that initially promised to burn a hole in the net deceived German goalkeeper Sepp Maier who fell to his left as Panenka chipped down the middle.
Zinedine Zidane(France)
The French stalwart was in the twilight of hi career playing his final match for his country and what a better occasion to try something as cheeky as that than the 2006 World Cup Final vs Italy against possibly the best goalkeeper of this era.The ball barely crossed the line after rebounding off the crossbar but that was enough to give France the lead.However, another act by Zidane later was to overshadow this sheer act of brilliance as the World Cup that night was eventually lifted by Fabio Cannavaro’s men.
Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
A goal down after two penalties each in the Euro 2012 quarter final against England, Andrea Pirlo could’ve just smacked it into either corner.Instead he went for the audacious,sending England’s Joe Hart to the floor and as described in his words later “I psyched out England with penalty” as both Asley Cole and Ashley Young fluffed their chances to condemn England to elimination.
The Bland :
Francesco Totti (Roma)
In the wake of Pirlo’s penalty success against England, Italian midfielder Daniele De Rossi claimed “I’d not seen such a crazy shot as that since the days of Totti.”We’re sure England would’ve loved this effort from the penalty taker.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo has missed some penalties in his time.Most notably in the 2008 Champions League Final against Chelsea.We’re sure there would’ve been a long long Alex Ferguson-style hair dryer if he’d tried this back then,
Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
Manchester United were trailing 2-1 to newly promoted Southampton.Robin van Persie stepped up and picked possibly the worst time to try something new for someone who always belts them to one of the corners.He later made amends scoring by a hattrick to complete just one of the many trademark comeback victories United are known for.
