Top 9 Goalkeepers with the Best Penalty Shootout Records in History

9. Bruce Grobbelaar

Notable teams: Liverpool

Bruce Grobbelaar was anything but conventional. The Zimbabwean international's illustrious career at Liverpool was marked by his eccentricities as much as his goalkeeping prowess. Grobbelaar frequently ventured off his line to claim high crosses, occasionally volunteered as a penalty taker, and famously once borrowed an umbrella from a nearby fan during a rain-soaked match. However, his most iconic moment came in the 1984 European Cup final, where his unconventional approach played a pivotal role in Liverpool's victory.

Before the penalty shootout against Roma in the European Cup final, Reds manager Joe Fagan assured Grobbelaar that he wouldn't be blamed for any outcome but offered a crucial piece of advice: "Make sure you try to put them off." Taking this to heart, Liverpool's number one adopted a unique strategy known as 'spaghetti legs,' where he whimsically moved along the goal line, aiming to unsettle Roma's penalty takers. Despite not making a direct save, Grobbelaar's unorthodox tactics contributed to wayward efforts from Bruno Conti and Francesco Graziani, securing Liverpool's triumph.

8. Justo Villar

Notable teams: Paraguay

Justo Villar captained Paraguay during a celebrated era in the nation's football history. Despite his stature as one of the shorter goalkeepers at just under 6 feet, Villar served as a reliable presence for a team skillfully led by coach Gerardo Martino. Paraguay's highlight during this period was their quarter-final appearance at the 2010 World Cup, achieved through a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Japan before narrowly falling to eventual champions Spain.

Villar's prowess truly shone in continental competitions, particularly in the Copa America, where he holds the record for the most penalties saved against him in the tournament's extensive history. Across consecutive editions, Paraguay eliminated Brazil in thrilling penalty shootouts largely influenced by Villar's agile goalkeeping. In 2011, he guided his team to the Copa America final, where Uruguay emerged victorious in the ultimate match, securing their 15th Copa America title after another tense shootout.

7. Helmuth Duckadam

Notable teams: Steaua Bucuresti

Helmuth Duckadam's remarkable performance for Steaua Bucuresti against Barcelona in the 1986 European Cup final stands as one of the most memorable displays in penalty shootout history. Despite the overwhelming support for Barcelona among the packed crowd at Seville's Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, Duckadam remained calm and focused. "This is my moment," he thought to himself as the goalless final went to penalties.

In an era with limited access to match footage, Duckadam hadn't seen Barcelona's penalties from their semi-final against IFK Goteborg. Instead, the thoughtful Romanian goalkeeper attempted to anticipate each taker's mindset. Reflecting on his approach, Duckadam once remarked, "If I hadn't become a footballer, I definitely would have been a psychiatrist." He went on to save all four penalties, securing Steaua's first and only European Cup triumph.

Despite this career-defining achievement at just 27 years old, Duckadam faced a sudden setback. Shortly after the final, doctors diagnosed him with an aneurysm in his right arm, abruptly ending his professional career and any future prospects of participating in penalty shootouts.

6. Oliver Kahn

Notable teams: Bayern Munich, Germany

Oliver Kahn's relentless drive to win was a psychological marvel. The intense determination that emanated from Bayern Munich's stalwart goalkeeper was especially palpable in the pressure cooker of penalty shootouts. Over his illustrious career, Kahn emerged victorious in an impressive seven shootouts, yet he remains haunted by those he lost.

Even in a charity match, Kahn famously denied every penalty attempt from a lineup of nine-year-olds, solidifying his reputation as one of the most fiercely competitive goalkeepers in history.

In the 2001 Champions League final against Valencia, Kahn embodied that same unyielding spirit. He thwarted three crucial penalties to secure victory for Bayern, exorcising the demons of their heartbreaking defeat to Manchester United in the same competition two years earlier.

5. Gianluigi Buffon

Notable teams: Juventus, Italy

Gianluigi Buffon's stature as one of the greatest goalkeepers in history came with immense pressure during penalty shootouts. As Buffon himself acknowledged, there was always an expectation for him to make crucial saves: "I'm one of those few goalkeepers who are always expected to stop at least one or two penalties. If I don't, the media will judge me harshly."

Dubbed the 'Maradona of goalkeepers', Buffon typically lived up to this reputation. Interestingly, the only significant shootout in Buffon's career where he did not manage to save a single penalty ended with him lifting the World Cup trophy. In that moment, Buffon's former Juventus teammate David Trezeguet struck the crossbar, knowing he had to place his shot so far into the corner to evade Buffon's reach.

4. Harald Schumacher

Notable teams: West Germany

Harald Schumacher was ahead of his time in goalkeeper training, incorporating techniques from javelin throwers and high-jumpers to enhance his skills. However, even his innovative preparation couldn't fully prepare him for the historic penalty shootout against France in the 1982 World Cup semi-final, the first in the tournament's history.

Schumacher's legacy from that game is often overshadowed by a controversial incident: his collision with Patrick Battiston, which left the French player concussed and missing teeth, yet Schumacher escaped punishment. Despite the uproar, Schumacher remained focused, saving two penalties during the shootout to propel Germany to the final.

His prowess wasn't limited to that match. Schumacher showcased his ability again at the 1986 World Cup, saving two penalties against Mexico amidst the fervent atmosphere, highlighting his composure and skill under pressure.

3. Ricardo

Notable teams: Portugal

Portugal's unconventional goalkeeper Ricardo had a unique approach to penalty shootouts, focusing more on psychological tactics than statistical analysis. His method aimed to unsettle opponents, as he revealed after guiding his team through successive shootout victories against England.

During Euro 2004, Ricardo delivered a memorable performance in the quarter-final against England. As the shootout extended to sudden death, he removed his gloves to save Darius Vassell's tentative penalty. After his heroic save, Ricardo calmly stepped up to convert the decisive spot kick himself, sealing Portugal's victory.

Their encounter in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final saw Ricardo once again taking the spotlight. He made an unprecedented three saves in the shootout against England, denying penalties from Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, and Jamie Carragher. This achievement remains unmatched by any other goalkeeper in a single shootout at a World Cup.

2. Sergio Goycochea

Notable teams: Argentina

One of the most renowned penalty shootout specialists emerged unexpectedly due to a twist of fate involving Soviet striker Oleg Protasov and Argentine goalkeeper Nery Pumpido during the 1990 World Cup. Protasov inadvertently injured Pumpido, prompting Sergio Goycochea to step into the spotlight and make history.

Goycochea's heroics began in the quarter-final shootout against Yugoslavia, where he famously reassured Diego Maradona after Maradona missed his penalty: "Stay calm, Diego, I'll save two." True to his word, Goycochea made two crucial saves, propelling Argentina into a semi-final clash against hosts Italy, where he thwarted two more penalties.

Although Argentina lost the World Cup final, Goycochea's prowess in shootouts continued to shine. Three years later, he played a pivotal role in Argentina's Copa America triumph, making decisive saves in shootout victories over Brazil and Colombia in the final. Thus, Goycochea's unexpected rise to prominence as a penalty shootout expert became a legendary chapter in football history.