Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
The UEFA Champions League knockout stage is the place heroes are made and heartbreak unfolds. For Liverpool, Tuesday night time at Anfield was a nightmare. For Gianluigi Donnarumma, it was a coronation.
The Italian goalkeeper, typically criticized for lapses in focus, silenced his doubters with a masterclass within the penalty shootout, main Paris Saint-Germain to a dramatic 4-1 triumph on penalties after a tense 1-1 combination draw. With two gorgeous saves, he reminded the world why he’s considered among the finest shot-stoppers of his technology—matching the legendary Emiliano Martínez and bringing again reminiscences of his Euro 2020 heroics.
Soccer has a brief reminiscence. Only a week in the past, Donnarumma was the scapegoat after letting Harvey Elliott’s late strike slip by means of his grasp in PSG’s 1-0 first-leg loss on the Parc des Princes. On the identical night time, his reverse quantity, Alisson Becker, delivered what many noticed as the sport of his profession. However Anfield witnessed a reversal of roles within the second leg. This time, it was Donnarumma who stood tall when it mattered most.
Regardless of the extraordinary ambiance in England, the guests took the lead early, leveling the combination rating at 1-1. From then on, Liverpool dominated possession, firing eight photographs to the French facet’s three, however couldn’t discover a breakthrough. Even in additional time, the Reds failed to check Donnarumma, registering zero photographs within the remaining quarter-hour.
The shootout: Donnarumma’s area
With no additional objectives, the match went to penalties—Donnarumma’s favourite battleground. PSG’s takers remained ice-cold from the spot, changing all 4 of their penalties, whereas Donnarumma saved two of Liverpool’s first three makes an attempt.
Darwin Nunez stepped up first for Arne Slot’s facet. The Uruguayan had been one of the vital harmful gamers all through the tie—however Donnarumma learn him completely, diving low to his proper for the save. Curtis Jones was subsequent to really feel the Italian’s wrath. Once more, the Italian shot-stopper guessed proper, getting a powerful hand to disclaim the Liverpool midfielder.
With the Ligue 1 champions scoring all their penalties, teenager Need Doue stepped up and sealed the victory, sending the French giants into the quarterfinals.
Donnarumma’s historic penalty report
With this triumph, the 26-year-old has now gained seven of the eight penalty shootouts he has participated in at membership and worldwide degree. His report contains:
Italian Tremendous Cup victory with Milan vs. JuventusCoppa Italia win vs. LazioUEFA Europa League triumph vs. Rio AveCoppa Italia win vs. TorinoEuro 2020 semi-final vs. Spain (saved Morata’s penalty)Euro 2020 remaining vs. England (saved Saka and Sancho’s penalties)UEFA Champions League win vs. Liverpool
His solely loss in a shootout got here within the Coupe de France spherical of 16 in 2022, when the Parisians fell to Good regardless of Donnarumma saving one penalty.
Similar to Emiliano Martinez
Remarkably, Donnarumma’s penalty shootout statistics are similar to these of Lionel Messi‘s nationwide staff colleague Emiliano Martinez, the World Cup-winning goalkeeper for Argentina.
Each have misplaced just one shootout they’ve confronted, cementing their standing as fashionable penalty specialists with an 85.7% win proportion. Similar to Donnarumma, Martinez turned a nationwide hero in a remaining—saving two penalties towards France within the 2022 World Cup remaining.
