Few things top the drama of a penalty shootout, it’s got to be one of the most dramatic instances in any sporting event and we firmly believe any draw should be settled by one.
Take last night’s Europa League qualifying clash between AC Milan and Rio Ave, which required a staggering 24 spot kicks to separate the Italian giants from the Portuguese underdogs.
It was almost a disastrous night for Milan, who converted a penalty in the 122nd minute of extra time to send the game to a shootout, one in which the drama just kept coming.
The sheer dejection in the voice of the commentator every time a Rio Ave player scores is pretty admirable too.
Who said you could go to bed before watching this ⤵️
— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 1, 2020
Qualcuno pensava di andare a dormire senza rivedersi la serie ???????? dei calci di rigore? ⤵️#RioAveMilan #UEL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/TDJABBrFzV
Milan ultimately went on to win the stalemate 9-8, after an excellent save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, and will find out who they face in the next round in Friday’s live-streamed Europa League draw.
Incredibly, it didn’t even come close to the longest ever shootout, which came in 2005, when the Namibian Cup was settled by a record-breaking 48 spot kicks, as KK Palace defeated the Civics 17-16.
Featured image credit: Getty