Iconic Moments in Football No.88

Penalty shootouts test the nerve of everyone involved. The fans are subjected to the highest levels of tension and confidence from the players is vital in winning any shootout.

At the 2016 European Championships in France, Italy and Germany played each other in the Quarter Final. The game went to a shootout after it ended 1-1 after extra time.
Both sides had topped their groups and comfortably won their Second Round matches. Germany beat Slovakia 3-0 and Italy beat holders Spain 2-0.

After Insignia and Toni Kroos both converted the first penalties of the shootout, Simone Zaza came forward to take Italy’s second kick.

Zaza’s run-up started at the edge of the box, only six yards away from the ball. This would normally only require a player to take a couple of paces before hitting the ball but the Italian took an incredible fifteen tiny steps before striking the ball at goal.

Zaza sent Manuel Neuer the wrong way, but his penalty went flying high over the bar. His bizarre run-up made him look quite ridiculous and prompted many spoof videos and memes to be posted on social media.

There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Simone Zaza’s antics leaned towards arrogance and it backfired on the biggest stage as Germany won the shootout 6-5 and progressed to the semi final. They lost 2-0 to hosts France. Their victory over Italy was their sixth successive penalty shootout victory, with their only defeat coming against Czechoslovakia in the 1976 European Championship final.

Simone Zaza made a public apology to the people of Italy after the game although it was a bit unfair on him as there were six other misses in the shootout. He will forever be remembered for his ridiculous run-up for this missed penalty when his playing days are over.

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Chris Amy

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