Top 10 decisive penalty misses

Sometimes a penalty kick can change the face of the entire match. Here are the top 10 penalty kick misses that changed the destiny of the teams.

The list will include both regular penalty kicks and penalty kicks in a shootout.

10. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) vs Dortmund
2014-15 DFB Pokal Semi finals
Dortmund won 2-0 on penalties (1-1 a.e.t.)

The 2014/15 DFB Pokal semi-final saw Dortmund and Bayern square off. Following a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time, the match when into penalties. For a team of the quality of Bayern Munich and considering they have been involved in high profile penalty shootouts in the past, this was an abject performance. They missed all 4 penalties they took!

Neuer was the last Munich player to the line, he just took the shot and kicked it perfectly into the top bar, ensuring Dortmund eliminated Bayern in penalties in what was, without a doubt, a humiliating performance by Munich.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rsfAHkkevo

9. Bruno Alves (Portugal) vs Spain
UEFA Euro 2012 SemiFinal
Spain won 4-2 on penalties (0-0 a.e.t.)

The Iberian semi-final in the 2012 Euro pitted defending Champions Spain against Portugal. A tightly contested but goalless draw between the sides was to be decided on penalties. Both teams’ first takers missed and then the next 4 penalties were scored. With the 5 being scored by Ramos, Spain were leading 3-2 before Bruno Alves came to the spot.

He unleashed a powerful shot which beat Iker Casillas, who had dived in the right direction but low, but the shot bounced off the cross bar. Cesc Fabregas who slotted the 4 kick for Spain won it as Spain would progress to the final and win the Euro 2012 in convincing style.

8. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) vs Bayern Munich
2011-12 Champions League Semi Final
Bayern won 3-1  on penalties (3-3 aggregate score)

The 2012 Champions League semi-final saw the score finish 3-3 on aggregate between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid at the Brenebau. In the resulting penalty shootout, Manuel Neuer proved the hero saving kicks from Kaka and Ronaldo, but misses by Kroos and Lahm left the tie in the balance. Sergio Ramos came and just blasted his shot well above the goal (resulting in numerous memes being made on the incident), and Schweinsteiger who managed to slot home Bayern’s third of the night ensured they would go into the 2012 Final.

7. Zico (Brazil) vs France (regular penalty)
1986 FIFA World Cup Quarter Finals
France won 4-3 on penalties (1-1 a.e.t.)

One of the finest players to have ever graced the game, Zico (sometimes referred to as White Pele) was part of one of the finest Brazilian teams ever (and sadly, they never won a world cup). In 1986, they faced France in the quarter finals. He was on the bench as Brazil and France were locked in a 1-1 deadlock. He came into the game in the 71 minute.

A bit later in the game, he was hauled down by the French Keeper and awarded a penalty. However, the French Keeper, Joel Bats guessed correctly and saved the effort. The French would hold out the Brazilians and would win the match 4-3 on penalties (zico scored here but two Brazilians had missed theirs).

6. Bastian Schweinsteiger  (Bayern Munich) vs Chelsea
2012 Champions League Final
Chelsea won 4-3 on penalties (1-1 a.e.t.)

The final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich went into extra time and then penalties after it finished 1-1. After 4 kicks, both teams had missed 1 penalty a piece and like the semi-final stage, Bastian Schweinsteiger was Bayern Munich’s number 5 man.

Stepping up his shot beat cech who guessed the correct direction and just managed to divert the powerful strike to the post and it bounced out, stunning the German giants. Drogba who took the next penalty slotted the winner to give Chelsea their first Champions League title.

5.  Mauricio Pellegrino (Valencia) vs Bayern Munich
2001 UEFA Champions League Final
Bayern won 5-4 on penalties (1-1 a.e.t.)

Playing in their second champion’s league, Valencia faced German giants Bayern Munich. They were able to compete with the Germans till the end of the match, forcing the final to be decided on penalties.

Both teams missed 2 of their first 5 penalties, ensuring it was a sudden death final. With Bayern 5-4 ahead, Argentine defender Mauricio Pellegrino took the 7 kick for Valencia. However Bayern keeper, Oliver Kahn guessed correctly and was able to produce a good save, denying Valencia what could have been their first Champions League title.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGCxyXLnmwU

4.  Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) vs Uruguay (regular penalty)
2010 World Cup Quarter Finals
Uruguay won 4-2 on Penalties (1-1 a.e.t.)

One of the most iconic moments of the 2010 World cup. Late in Extra time after being tied 1-1, Ghana had a free kick near the Uruguay box. The first attempt in was blocked by Luis before he used his hands to block Stephen Appiah’s follow up attempt. He was sent off as Ghana were awarded the free kick. Asamoah Gyan stepped up to take the penalty.

He shot it hard onto the cross bar and out of play. Suarez was seen celebrating widely as Gyan was shocked. Ghana lost the penalty shootout 4-2, but if only Gyan scored that penalty, Ghana would have been the first African nation to reach the world cup semi-finals. Gyan did score in the shootout that followed, but that would not be any consolation to him.

3 .David Trezeguet (France) vs Italy
2006 World Cup Final
Italy won 5-3 on penalties (1-1 a.e.t.)

When it comes to the 2006 world cup final, everyone remembers Zindane’s infamous headbutt. However, when it was time for the shootout, David Trezeguet, one of France’s finest strikers and the scorer of the Golden Goal against Italy in the Euro 2000 final, was the only player to miss his penalty kick.

Taking the second kick for France, he ran, aiming for the top left corner of the goal and buffon dived the other way. However his shot hit the crossbar to bounce out. With no one missing any penalty later, that was the kick that really cost France the World Cup.

2. John Terry (Chelsea) vs Manchester United
2008 Champions League Final
Manchester United won 6-5 on penalties (1-1 a.e.t.)

One of the most iconic moments of John Terry’s career. After finishing 1-1 at the end of extra time, the 2008 Champions League final was to be decided on penalties. With Chelsea leading 4-3 before John Terry’s kick, the Blues captain looked all set to slot home the winner. Unfortunately, he slipped on the run up and the ball went wide, even though Van der Saar had jumped the opposite way.

Chelsea would lose the shootout when Nicholas Anelka missed his and Chelsea’s 7 kick of the match, but it’s always remembered for Terry’s slip more.

1. Roberto Baggio (Italy) vs Brazil
1994 World Cup Final
Brazil won 3-2 on penalties (0-0 a.e.t.)

The 1994 World Cup final pitted Brazil against Italy, who had already faced each other once at this level back in 1970. A goalless final for the first time in the history of the sport, it would be decided on Penalties. Brazil were leading 3-2 as Roberto Baggio, one of the most lethal forwards to have played for Italy stepped up. The penalty was horrendous as Baggio’s shot was nowhere near the goal. The miss, being Italy’s 3 of the shootout confirmed Brazil as the 1994 World cup winners.

Baggio’s only consolation would be winning the silver ball for his world cup heroics