Machester United vs Everton 0-0 (pen. 2-4) FA semifinal, 19 April 2009, Tim Howard saving penalties video

In the FA semifinal, after a goalless draw, it came to the penalties to decide which team is going to face Chelsea in the final.

When Tim Cahill missed the first penalty the situation of Everton seemed to be hopeless. But then Tim Howard saved two penalties - Berbatov's and Ferdinad's.

Berbatov's shot didn't looked too strong, actually the defense was lucky but the second - it was taken better, the keeper had to react quickly and dive in right direction.

Lech Poznań - Inter Baku 0 (9) - 1 (8), Krzysztof Kotorowski saved 3 penalties in penalty shoot-out

Polish Champion Lech Poznań made through into the third qualifing round to Champions League after 22-penalty shoot-out.

Lech Poznań win the first leg 1-0 but after the poor performance on home soil lost 0-1. It came to a tie and in the result the penalty shoot-out.

Goalkeeper Krzysztof Kotorowski saved Lech Poznań from an ashaming defeat with Inter Baku. He saved three penalties in total, and scored the final one himself.

It's nice that he had his moment of glory. He plays for the club since 2004 and has his ups and downs including being reduced to a second choice goalkeeper.

Lech Poznań is going to play with Sparta Praha in the next round.

Watch the video of the penalty shoot-out.

World Cup: Uruguay vs Ghana (4) 1-1 (2) 2 June 2010, Fernando Muslera saves 2 penalties!

After an even game and 1-1 tie, the thrilling, dramatic ending. Lucky, lucky Uruguay. How can feel a player, who misses a penalty in 122' which would give his team a place in dreamed semi-final? Gyan's despair and happines of Muslera in this same time, who jumps up to touch the bar of the goal which saved Uruguay. Later, after the penalty shootout it was sad to see Gyan crying. He is not going to forget this easily.

Seems I have another favorite goalkeeper. Fernando Muslera saved 2 penalties! He read intentions of Ghana players well, throwing himself in the right direction every time. The first shot was perfect, unable to save. The second - he slighty touched the ball with tips of fingers. Third was weary weak and saves. Fourth was stronger but again Muslera guessed right!

Watch Uruguay - Ghana penalty shoot-out.

ESPN stats. 7 saves made by Kingson, who was not as self-confident and flawless as in the previous game with US. What had happened with him? After the lost goal he seemed to completely lose the focus. Muslera made 4 saves. In the dramatic ending he bounced the ball away, but it went straight to Ghana player. If not for Surez's hand it would end with goal. It was deliberated. What do you think about this?

Just noticed. Do they really see any difference between missed and saved penalty? It's always described missed, no matter if goalkeeper saves it or the player shots it over the goal. It's not like every goalkeeper has identical chances to save a penalty. Would he save a penalty if he did chose to throw himself always on the right? No. He read the intentions and was in right place when there was a possibility to make a save!

World Cup: Paraguay vs Japan 29 June 2010 penatly shootout 5-3

First penalty shootout in this World Cup. Didn't I say before that I like watching goalkeepers in action when it comes to penalties?

Elij Kawashima seemed to have a good intuition. He did save a penalty in Denmark - Japan match (although the goal was scored anyway, finished after Kawashima bounced the ball). He guessed the direction right at least two times but he wasn't able to reach the ball. The shots were perfect, strong and out of the reach.







Villar... that was impressive - he looked so self-confident, easy going as if he was defending penalties on big championships every day ;) Wonder what he did really fell... His skills didn't seem to be too high, he guessed right only once I think.

Did his attitude made Japanese players more nervous? Probably the tension was high enough, no matter what Villar was doing in the goal.











Villar celebrating with fellow goalkeepers.

Paraguay won 5-3 in the penalties and now is going to face Spain in the quarterfinal.

Liked the pictures in both teams. Every player approached his goalkeeper to give him a support. Noticed Villar talking with Paraguay's deputy goalkeepers. He was also looking on a piece of paper which a member of staff was holding. Were there tips written how Japanese players score the penaties?

Video: Watch penalty shootout Paraguay-Japan.