Many describe the penalty shootout to be a coin flip—a 50/50. Few moments in football have such visceral tension, but claiming it to be a lottery doesn’t quite do the mental side of the game justice. Within this drama, a rather audacious tactical gambit can sometimes emerge: goalkeeper substitutions made specifically for the spot-kicks. These calculated moves have delivered some of the most unforgettable shootout moments in modern football.
Why make the switch?
Making a substitution before the final whistle isn’t always popular with commentators and pundits, who claim that the goalkeeper on the pitch is warmed up and in the zone. Like a flutter on CasinosOnline, it’s seen as a gamble. But some managers believe in specialisation and are able to trust their “second” keeper for this specific task, which is to save penalties, and thus dispute the idea of it being a gamble.
There could be a bunch of reasons, from giving a fresh boost of confidence to the team, who watch a specialist arrive to save the day. Some believe keepers can get fatigued by 120 minutes of play, particularly mentally. But it could also be that the substitute keeper, while waiting to come on, can consult with the staff about the opponents’ penalty habits and have this homework fresh in their mind.
Tim Krul – the Dutch masterstroke of 2014
The 2014 FIFA World Cup quarter-final was between the Netherlands and Costa Rica. In a somewhat slow game, typical of Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal, he then substituted goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen for Tim Krul before the final whistle. This was purely for the impending shootout, and it raised a lot of eyebrows as it was such an important game.
Krul, who was pre-briefed on Costa Rican takers, was a whirlwind of activity. He confidently strode his line and engaged penalty takers verbally. Crucially, he dived the right way for all five penalties, saving two, which were from Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umaña. The Netherlands won the shootout, and Van Gaal was hailed a tactical genius, who was brave in making such a big decision. Krul has since become a World Cup icon.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – Super Cup redemption
Fast forwarding to the 2021 UEFA Super Cup, and Chelsea, under the big character of Thomas Tuchel, faced Villarreal. With the score 1-1 after extra time, Tuchel made the bold call to replace Édouard Mendy, his number one, with Kepa Arrizabalaga just for the shootout.
This was particularly poignant given Kepa’s infamous 2019 League Cup final incident, in which he refused to be substituted by Maurizio Sarri before a shootout that Chelsea lost. The backlash then was immense, painting Kepa as defiant and unprofessional, which haunted his reputation for years. This time, and somewhat ironically, Kepa was the hero, and he saved two penalties. Tuchel’s gamble paid off, and Kepa completed a remarkable redemption arc. Not only did it repair some of the damage done in 2019, but it also highlighted Tuchel’s managerial boldness and belief in specialized preparation. The move was pre-planned, with both goalkeepers aware it might happen, and Kepa’s cool composure under pressure showed how far he had come since that turbulent Wembley night.
Andrew Redmayne – Australia’s “Grey Wiggle” dances to Qatar
The stakes were immense in the 2022 FIFA World Cup play-off between Australia and Peru. With the score being 0-0 well into extra time, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold substituted the captain, and regular goalkeeper, Mat Ryan, for Andrew Redmayne in the 119th minute.
To take off your captain in a big moment is something that many would have been ready to criticise. Redmayne, with his unorthodox limb-flailing and dancing antics, was dubbed the “Grey Wiggle” and became an instant viral hit. He successfully unnerved the Peruvian takers and made an important save. Australia won 5-4, and this substitution helped clinch their World Cup spot. What made it even more memorable was the context: Redmayne had barely featured for the national team and was seen by many as a third-choice option. Yet, his wild, unpredictable movements on the goal line disrupted Peru’s rhythm. His save and presence weren’t just effective—they were symbolic of Australia’s gamble paying off in dramatic, high-stakes fashion. His dance moves weren’t random either; they were part of a studied psychological strategy honed from previous penalty shootout experiences.
Mohamed Abou Gabal “Gabaski” – Egypt’s AFCON hero
During the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt faced Ivory Coast in a pretty tense Round of 16. Starting goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy was forced off injured just before the final whistle, with Mohamed Abou Gabal, known as Gabaski, coming on. This was a little different, being an injury-enforced change, but Gabaski’s entry just before the inevitable 0-0 extra-time conclusion positioned him for the shootout. Many thought the injury was a blow, but he rose to the occasion spectacularly, saving Eric Bailly’s penalty. Egypt won 5-4, but that wasn’t the end of the story.
Gabaski’s performance during the rest of the tournament turned into something of a legend. He was no longer just a backup called into action—he became the cornerstone of Egypt’s run to the final. In the semi-final against Cameroon, he delivered again in the shootout. And in the final against Senegal, despite Egypt losing, he saved a penalty from Sadio Mané during regular time and came agonizingly close to further heroics. Gabaski’s combination of sharp reflexes, calm under pressure, and his ability to read shooters made him an unlikely star of the tournament. His performances earned plaudits across Africa and established him as one of the AFCON’s standout goalkeepers, despite starting the tournament on the bench.
When the gamble doesn’t pay off
This bold penalty tactic is a little bit like the Panenka. Pirlo successfully did it against England in the Euros quarter-final, but many others have failed (Saka more recently in the Champions League game against Madrid). These brave decisions are either genius or insanity, and there’s not much space in between.
One example of it backfiring also involves Kepa Arrizabalaga and Thomas Tuchel. In the 2022 Carabao Cup Final against Liverpool, Tuchel again brought Kepa on for Mendy, just for the shootout. This time though, the dream turned sour and Kepa didn’t save a single one of Liverpool’s 11 penalties. Then, stepping up to take Chelsea’s 11th kick himself, he blazed it over the bar and handed the trophy to Liverpool. With the same keeper and manager, it proves that these big moments can go very different ways, very quickly.
