ThePanenkais an ingenious but simple way of taking a penalty kick, which sees the taker chip the ball down the centre of the goal.
Brahim Diaz was left red-faced after hisfailed attemptin the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final, while Achraf Hakimi successfullyexecuted an outrageous panenkato help Morocco secure a historic quarter-final berth with a penalty shoot-out victory against Spain at the2022 World Cup.
Karim Benzema made headlines in the 2021-22 Champions League semi-final as he pulled off a Panenka penalty in a high-pressure situationto score Real Madrid's third goal in their 4-3 first-leg defeat to Manchester City.
So what is the Panenka penalty and who else has tried it?GOALtakes a look!
The Panenka was invented byAntonin Panenkaand shot to fame in 1976, when the Czechoslovakian star used it to outfox legendary Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Sepp Maier during the European Championship final.
The Czechs had squandered a 2-0 lead during 90 minutes of that encounter and were forced into extra-time and subsequently penalties.
After the first seven kicks were scored, Uli Hoeness missed for the Germans, giving Panenka the opportunity to win the tournament.
The following seconds, which saw Maier dive off to his leftas the ball simply floated into the middle of the goal, would go down in footballing history as the birth of a new skill, a revolutionary manner from which to score from 12 years.
Pele described it as the work of “either a genius or a madman”, while the Czech has been forced to defend himself from accusations of showboating on one of the game’s biggest stages.
“I suspect that Maier doesn’t like the sound of my name too much. I never wished to make him look ridiculous,” Panenka toldUEFA.com.
“On the contrary, I chose the penalty because I saw and realised it was the easiest and simplest recipe for scoring a goal. It is a simple recipe.”
Since the skill was first performed back in 1976, it has been used with increasing regularity by some of the game’s greatest players in some of the biggest moments.
Perhaps the most famous Panenka came in the World Cup final of 2006, whenZinedine Zidanegave France a 1-0 lead over Italy bylifting such a penalty into the goal of Gianluigi Buffon. Of course, the match ended in disappointment for Zizou ashe was sent offand France lost via a shootout, but it remains a moment etched in the folklore of the game.
Andrea Pirlois another to have successfully used the penalty, with the Italy greatnotably converting during a Euro 2012 shootout against England.
“I made my decision right at the last second, when I saw Joe Hart, the England goalie, doing all sorts on his line,” he explained.
“As I began my run up, I still hadn’t decided what I was going to do. And then he moved and my mind was made up. It was all impromptu, not premeditated. The only way I could see pushing my chances of scoring close to 100%.”
In the modern game, Argentine iconLionel Messihas pulled the skill off on numerous occasions, whileEden Hazard,Memphis DepayandRaheem Sterlinghave all used the technique but the man himself seems to prefer those taken by legendary Real Madrid defenderSergio Ramos.
“Ramos is undoubtedly one of the best in the world,” he toldASthe day after the centre-back had clipped home an effort against Celta in La Liga.
“I remember that the first ones he took were not the prettiest ones, but all have gone in, and that is the important thing in the end.
“The kick was one of the most elegantly executed Panenka penalties I've ever seen him do. I really enjoyed it and I appreciated it. A great goal, without a doubt.”
Ramos' former Madrid team-mateKarim Benzemahas also pulled off a perfect Panenka, with the striker showing nerves of steel to deceive Ederson and pull the Blancos back to a 4-3 scoreline against Manchester City in the first leg of their 2021-22 Champions League semi-final tie.
Sebastian Abreuis possibly the most prolific taker of such kicks, but given that he is nicknamed ‘El Loco’, that is to be expected. It is a not a tag that he necessarily appreciates, though.
After netting in the 2014 World Cup for Uruguay against Ghana in a shootout using the method, he said: “What adjective did you use to describe Zidane’s penalty? Crazy? No, magic. So why not Abreu?”
He can even claim to have scored two Panenkas in one game, doing so twice as Botafoga came back to beat Fluminense 3-2 away from home in 2011.
Of course, the nature of the technique and the high-pressure situations in which it is often used makes it a risky option and not all have been as fortunate as Ramos to see their shots find the net.
“I was watching Memphis Depay score one yesterday and decided at the last moment. I am stupid!”Aleksandar Mitroviclamented as putting too much elevation on his chip during an international between his Serbia side and Montenegro.
Gary Linekeralso famously fluffed an effort in a 1992 friendly for England against Brazil, missing his opportunity to equal the goal-scoring record for his nation as he scuffed his effort, which resulted in a straightforward save.
Perhaps the costliest failed attempt, though, came from FrenchmanYann Kermorgantwhile playing for Leicester in a 2010 play-off semi-final against Cardiff, which could have seen the Foxes promoted to the Premier League. He did not get enough height or power on his effort, which resulted in an easy save for Bluebirds keeper David Marshall.
Real Madrid'sBrahim Diazmade the humiliating error of putting too little power into his Panenka attempt in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, while earlier that season, Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher gaveEnzo Le Feean ironic thumbs up after the Sunderland forward chipped the ball neatly into his hands in a Premier League game.
As the whole technique is based upon the assumption that the goalkeeper will dive to one corner or another, disguise is crucial to making a successful conversion.
It is, therefore, important that there is no difference between your usual run up and the one you use when taking a Panenka. Only when the ball is struck should the difference become evident.
Try striking the ball with the area of your boot roughly where the inside of your big toe is. It can also help to keep a straight leg when trying the technique and it is important to lean back slightly – but not too much – to get elevation on the shot.
Staying relaxed is important, which makes the execution of the kick on a bigger stage all the more impressive.
Remember, like everything, practice makes perfect and this tricky skill should come to you in time.