Goalkeeping Museum

In the context of a match, a penalty awarded with the scores at 1-1 in the 70th minute is going to be a pivotal moment. In the context of football in London, when this happens in an Arsenal v Spurs match at these scores, it doesn’t get any bigger than this.

This was the situation that Almunia, of Arsenal found himself faced with when Kolo Toure brought down Berbatov of Tottenham Hotspur in this match:

The goalkeeper got down smartly to his right to keep out what was, in truth, a below par penalty kick from Robbie Keane of Tottenham. This ball was not in the corner, and not struck hard enough to beat a keeper going the right way.

Jussi Jaaskelainen of Bolton Wanderers had an incredible 2 and a half minutes in their game against Blackburn rovers in October 2006. Bolton, 1-0 up away from home were precariously poised to take the match, when Blackburn were awarded a penalty. (more…)

Watch this terrific penalty save from David James (Portsmouth and England) in their match against Arsenal last summer. (more…)

Victor Valdes the goalkeeper for FC Barcelona made this terrific penalty save against Racing Santander on 11 February 2007. The sides were at 0-0.

Valdes went on to record a clean sheet in this match, which Barcelona won 2-0 (Ronaldinho scored both goals) - a crucial intervention, and one of the best penalty saves you’re ever likely to see: extremely well hit, and extremely well saved; the ball being put well into safety.

We found this footage of a great Angelo Peruzzi penalty save from 1988/89 Serie A season from Italy where Roma took on Atalanta.

With the Romans leading 2-0, they looked good for victory, until a penalty was awarded to Atalanta.

Angelo Peruzzi, who would later enjoy a long period as Italian first choice goal keeper, made a terrific save right in the bottom right hand corner.

Notice how he makes little of the save, and distributes the ball well to start off another Roma counter-attack, compare this to the reaction of Buffon, the present day Italian keeper, when he saves a pen!

It’s Gianuigi Buffon again! This time, watch as he dives low to his right to save a Figo penalty for Juventus in their Champions League match against Real Madrid.

There could well be an entire category here devoted to Buffon by the time he retires!

Penalty shootouts provide goalkeepers with their opportunity to make a direct influence on a match - or tournament - it is the keepers moment to shine.

Oliver Kahn and Santiago Canizares shared the limelight in the world’s biggest stage in the 2001 Champions League Final, as the match between Kahn’s FC Bayern Munich and Canizares’ Valencia CF ended in deadlock after 120 minutes of normal play.

This penalty shootout ranks as one of the greatest ever in terms of drama and circumstance - a champions league final, which saw four penalties saved, and one missed.

Both keepers went into this match at the top of their game, and, for Kahn in particular, this match marked the height of his keeping powers.

Watch Oliver Kahn’s first penalty save low to his right, then marvel at the amazing reflexes he exhibits for the fourth pen: as he chooses to dive to his left and the taker aims directly at the middle of Kahn’s goal, with a hard, high shot. Miraculously, Kahn manages to get a solid hand on the ball, and tip it onto the crossbar.

Had that fourth shot gone in, it is very likely Valencia would have won the shootout, the match, and consequently the 2001 Champions League. In our opinion, that great penalty save therefore won Bayern Munchen the trophy.

Truly awesome.