From Brahim Diaz to Sergio Aguero: Five Panenka penalties that went horribly wrong

It takes a lot of cojones to step up and take a penalty, but to choose a ‘Panenka’ spot-kick is almost never a wise decision.

Indeed, on Monday night, Brentford’s Dango Ouattara dinked the ball straight down the middle of the goal and – surprise, surprise – into the grateful arms of West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola.

However, there have been a number of far worse Panenka penalties over the years.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Joe Jones talks us through five of the most horrendous spot-kicks of all time.

5. Ademola Lookman vs West Ham

This was yet another Panenka attempt against the Irons.

With Fulham fighting relegation from the get-go in the 2020/21 Covid season, former wonderkid Ademola Lookman attempted a dink down the middle against West Ham and produced a truly terrible penalty.

He scuffed the ball straight to Fabianski and cost Fulham a vital point early in November.

Ultimately, it did not matter as Fulham were relegated that season with 28 points, 11 behind Burnley in 17th place.

4. Brahim Díaz vs Senegal

The AFCON final never fails to deliver in terms of drama, and the latest iteration was no different.

Following a lengthy walk-off by eventual winners Senegal over a disagreement with the awarding of a penalty, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz stepped up to win the hosts the tournament.

Unfortunately, he placed it straight into Édouard Mendy’s hands.

That the miss came in the 113th minute of a game that was originally only meant to have eight minutes added on made it so much worse.

Had he just put his foot through it, Morocco may well be AFCON champions.

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3. Ali Adnan vs LA Galaxy

Two minutes into the Vancouver Whitecaps vs LA Galaxy game in 2019, Ali Adnan had the opportunity to put the hosts 1-0 up against the West Coast giants.

Zlatan Ibrahimović was playing for the Californian side and witnessed the full-back gently chip the ball into the air, so much so that it barely took off.

Indeed, the attempt was so poor that the ball bounced before even reaching the goal line, where keeper David Bingham smothered it into his chest after stopping it trickling over the line.

2. Sergio Agüero vs Chelsea

In another case from the Covid era, Premier League great Sergio Agüero had the opportunity to take Manchester City one step closer to the title, but the party was delayed after they lost 2-1 to Chelsea.

The penalty from the Argentinian was ridiculously poor and quite a surprise from a player who regularly put away goals with ease.

The shot was right down the middle of the goal and so slow that Mendy – yes, him again – had time to get back up from the ground and catch it with one hand.

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1. Ante Budimir vs Valencia

In the number one spot is genuinely one of the worst penalties I have ever seen.

Ante Budimir had the chance to equalise for Osasuna in the seventh minute of added time against Valencia, but after a shocking run up, he flicked the ball and it simply bounced into the arms of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who had already dived.

If there was ever an incentive to just hit the ball with power and rifle it into the back of the net, then surely this miss will make you swear to never dink one down the middle again.

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