Goalkeeping Museum

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.