The Most Influential Shot in the History of the UEFA Euro
Let's talk about the penalty shot by Antonín Panenka, author of the “Panenkazo”, possibly the best-known penalty kick in the world.
Stage? The final of Euro 1976, in which Czechoslovakia faced Germany.
The game had ended 2-2 and everything would be decided in the penalty shootout. There, in the most tense moments of the match, Panenka confidently appeared to silence the entire world.
The Czechoslovaks needed just one goal to lift the coveted European trophy.
The only thing that had to be done was to take the penalty without complications... although, the genius Panenka had something else in mind.
At this time the legendary player created a real work of art. Replacing strength with mischief, he gently lifted the ball toward the center, deceiving the goalkeeper. And so, not only did Czechoslovakia lift its first Euro, but also, his iconic play was born.
From that moment on, the “Panenkazo” became not only an emblematic shot, but also a display of bravery on the field that many players have wanted to imitate, with several successful results and some… not so much.