Which goalkeepers have saved three penalties in single World Cup penalty shootout?

This is a very rare occurrence on the world's grandest stage

The World Cup in Qatar has witnessed some amazing performances by goalkeepers. Be it Buffon, Neuer or Ochoa, goalkeepers have affected the game at some point with changed the whole course of the match. There works becomes even tough when there’s a penalty or worse a penalty shootout. But over the years, few goalkeepers have delivered breath-taking performances in the penalty shootouts in the World Cups.

Goalkeepers with three saves in a single World Cup shootout.

Ricardo vs England

World Cup 2006, Germany

The stage was set for the Quarter final match between Portugal and England. Hopes were high on both sides as England was having its golden generation and Portugal were in good form in the tournament with a young Cristiano Ronaldo in the team. The match saw a Red card awarded to former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney. After full time, the score line was 0-0 and the winner was to be decided by a Penalty Shootout. England has been in two penalty shootouts before in the World Cups (1990 and 1998) but were unbale to win either of them.

Ricardo, the Portuguese goalkeeper, was to face the English which had players like Gerrard, Lampard and Carragher. He, gulping the pressure, delivered on the finest performances by any goalkeeper in the World cup. Ricardo managed to stop the shots of Lampard, Gerard and Carragher, players which were expected to score. His performance won Portugal the Penalty shootouts and advanced them to the Semi Finals. They were defeated by Zidane led France in the Semis.

Danijel Subašić vs. Denmark

World Cup 2018, Russia

The World Cup in 2018 in Russia was a memorable one for the Croatians. They reached the finals of the World Cup for the very first time in their history. They did lose to France in the Finals but were praised by fans around the globe.

Firstly, Croatia were to face Denmark in the Round of 16. Both sides seemed confident which can be seen by their performance in this match. Secondly, They both scored a goal each. Thirdly, for Croatia the scorer was former Juventus star Mandzukic and for the Danish side the goal was scored by Jorgensen. After extra time, the score was the same which resulted in a penalty shootout decider. Penalty shootout would have never taken place if Modric hadn’t miss the penalty in the 116’.

Danijel Subašić was the man in charge of the goal protection for the Croatians. He saved three of the Danish penalties by Eriksen, Schione and Jorgensen. The Croatian goalkeeper’s outstanding performance led them through to the Quarter finals and eventually to the Finals of the World Cup in Russia.

Dominik Livaković vs. Japan

World Cup 2022, Qatar

Croatia are the only nation with two goalkeepers who have stopped three shots in a penalty shootout. The recent feat achieved by the Croatian goalkeeper came in the Round of 16 clash against Japan. Firstly, Japan were seen as the absolute underdog. Secondly, having beaten Germany and Spain in the group stage match.

The match ended in a 1-1 scoreline after extra time. The scorer for Japan was Maeda and for Croatians the man with the goals was the Spurs and former Inter man Perisic. Due to the deadlock, the game went to a penalty shootout. Lastly, the Croatian goalkeeper stood up to the pressure and delivered one of the finest performances of his career. He managed to stop three penalties by Japanese players. He saved the shots of Minamino, Mitoma and the Japanese captain Maya Yoshida. Finally, his saves led them to the Quarter finals of the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.