Definition of Panenka Penalty

What is a Panenka penalty in the game of football? What kind of a penalty shot is it?

The Panenka penalty is a gently chipped kick, aimed at the middle of the goal, executed after a purposeful run and a fake that sends the goalkeeper diving to either side of the net.

The Panenka penalty is named after the former Czech footballer, Antonin Panenka, who first attempted this cheeky kick in the Euro 1976 final against West Germany.

After 120 minutes of play the score was 2-2. The penalty shootout followed and the first seven shots were converted. Germany missed their fourth attempt by sending the ball over the net. Panenka took the fifth penalty for Czechoslovakia, scored under enormous pressure and won the game, as well as the prestigious trophy, for his nation.

Antonin Panenka became an instant footballing legend.

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The Panenka style penalty has been attempted many times since, most famously by Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup and Andrea Pirlo in the Euro 2012.