It was clear from the start that the penalty shootout would be long.
As the game turned into a penalty shootout after a dramatic last-gasp equaliser by Panathinaikos, Argentine midfielder Daniel Mancini was the first to step forward. His effort was weak, easily picked up by Ajax’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, setting the tone for a penalty shootout that was marked by a mix of errors and brilliance.
With 34 penalties taken, a record in UEFA competitions, 25 were scored, two were completely missed and seven were saved by goalkeepers. Pasveer saved five impressively, while Panathinaikos’ Bartlomiej Dragowski saved two.
Ajax, despite having several chances to secure the victory, failed to capitalise on the first four “match points”, but ultimately prevailed.
During the extended game, Ajax’s Brian Brobbey, known for his penalty-taking ability in his youth, was substituted with penalties in mind. He faced pressure twice, missing both shots, both crucial but unsuccessful.
The shootout saw a mix of execution and errors. After Mancini’s initial error, players such as Ajax’s Steven Bergwijn and Kenneth Taylor and Panathinaikos’ Tete showed impressive skill. However, the atmosphere intensified when the usually reliable Brobbey saw his penalty saved, dampening the energy of the stadium.
The drama continued with Tonny Vilhena, a Dutch midfielder who had played for Feyenoord, facing jeers from the Ajax crowd. His shot almost went out but ended up in the back of the net, momentarily silencing the Ajax supporters.
Jordan Henderson, surprising many with his participation, scored an easy shot, recalling his inconsistent past with penalty kicks.
Mistakes from both teams followed, with Panathinaikos’ Nemanja Maksimovic having his effort saved and Ajax’s Bertrand Traore sending his shot wide. The tension led to a brief scuffle, which resulted in referee Chris Kavanagh showing yellow cards.
As the shootout dragged on, both goalkeepers shared a laugh amidst the tension, reflecting the surreal nature of the event. Despite further saves and errors, including another crucial block against Ajax’s Youri Baas, the game continued far beyond a normal shootout.
In a dramatic turn of events, after many successful penalties, Brobbey returned with a chance to win for Ajax. His shot, however, flew high, adding to the spectacle of the evening.
Vilhena, who had earlier calmed the crowd, again faced Pasveer but was denied, marking Pasveer’s fifth save of the evening and adding to a memorable performance.
The 24-minute penalty shootout ended with Ajax’s Anton Gaaei finally securing the win with a low shot that Dragowski misjudged, ending the marathon with the score at 13-12 in favour of Ajax.
This record-breaking shootout not only advanced Ajax to the next round, but also left an indelible mark on all participants and spectators, embodying the unpredictable nature of football. The team now looks forward to a more relaxed game in the next Eredivisie match.
