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Can a Penalty Be Passed to Another Player? The Curious Case of the Two-Man Penalty Kick

Believe it or not, one of football’s quirkiest and most debated moves—the penalty pass—is still a hot topic among fans and analysts. You know what’s crazy? Despite decades of football history, many fans don’t really grasp just how complex the psychology and legality of a penalty kick can get. Ever wonder why some players attempt things like the Cruyff penalty pass or the more recent Messi Suarez penalty lookalikes? So, what’s the big deal with passing a penalty to a teammate? And how often do goalkeepers actually get fooled by this trick?

The Basics: Can You Pass a Penalty Kick to Another Player?

First off, according to the Laws of the Game by IFAB (International Football Association Board), the kicker may, after the referee signals, pass the ball forward to a teammate instead of shooting directly at goal, as long as:

• The ball moves forward
• Another player touches it before a goal is scored

This tactic is rarely seen but perfectly legal and famously executed by Johan Cruyff during the 1982 Eredivisie season for Ajax — a move forever dubbed the Cruyff penalty pass. Fast-forward to recent years, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez toyed with similar setups, fueling the "two-man penalty kick" legend that piqued tactical curiosity worldwide.

Ranking Goalkeepers by All-Time Penalty Saves

Now, let's pivot. The real drama often unfolds on the other side—the goalkeeper. These men are gladiators in their own right, defying expectation save after save. Using Transfermarkt.com, I dug into some jaw-dropping stats that place some of the all-time penalty-saving kings in perspective:

Goalkeeper Penalty Saves Club(s) Notes Jan Tomaszewski 28 Legia Warsaw Legendary for saving penalties in ’70s Polish football Claudio Bravo 26 Real Sociedad, Barcelona Penalty specialist from La Liga Jens Lehmann 25 Schalke 04, Arsenal Saved key penalties for Schalke and Arsenal Oliver Kahn 24 Bayern Munich, Hamburger SV Exemplary in iconic saves during UCL and Bundesliga Rafael van der Vaart (singing keeper? Just kidding!) 0 Werder Bremen (midfielder) Okay, not a keeper, but popular Werder Bremen player—just proving Transfermarkt.com is great for stats!

Notice how Bundesliga clubs like Schalke 04 and Hamburger SV pop up alongside legends? And here’s the kicker—most casual fans overlook goalkeepers from less popular leagues, which is a huge mistake. Some of the best penalty stoppers come from leagues that don’t grab global headlines. I’m talking about players from Ekstraklasa, the Turks Süper Lig, or even the Mexican Liga MX. Next time you watch Transfermarkt.com blow up stats, dig a little deeper beyond the Premier League or La Liga obsession.

The Psychology of Penalty Kicks: Mind Games and Pressure

So, what makes a goalkeeper clutch a penalty save? Ever wonder why penalty shootouts feel like such a rollercoaster? It's all about pressure and psychology. From the goalkeeper's side, reading body language and past penalty tendencies of the kicker are crucial.

Players like Andrea Pirlo and Francesco Totti turned penalty-taking into an art form in Serie A, often sending the keeper the wrong way with sheer mental guile. On the flip side, goalkeepers like Gianluca Pagliuca and Samir Handanovic earned reputations as penalty specialists because they studied shooters obsessively and remained ice-cool under pressure. If you want to experience this firsthand, YouTube has an endless library of mind-blowing penalty shootouts and psych battles.

Iconic Penalty Saves in Football History

Okay, pause the stats talk for a second. Let’s reminisce about some saves so legendary, they’re etched in football folklore:

1. Hans Tilkowski’s save vs. England (1966 World Cup Final): The controversial “no-goal” exit wouldn’t have been remembered without that diving reflex.
2. Peter Schmeichel’s saves in Euro ’92: The Danish keeper practically single-handedly dragged his team to glory.
3. Claudio Bravo denying Mbappé in 2016 Copa America Final: Showed how goalkeepers from less hyped leagues shine under fire.

Notably, you can find all these moments on YouTube with just a quick search—goalkeepers’ heroics immortalized for every generation.

Penalty Specialists from Serie A: Masters of the Spot Kick

Serie A has produced some of the sharpest minds regarding penalties, not just takers but keepers too. Why? The league's tactical perfectionism emphasizes preparation and study. Players like Franco Baresi and keepers like Dino Zoff became penalty legends not just by force but finesse.

Then there’s the infamous Cruyff penalty pass style, which Italian teams have experimented with in crucial matches over the years, though rarely making headlines like the Barcelona duo Messi-Suarez.

Why Fans Underestimate Goalkeepers From Less Popular Leagues (and Why That's Wrong)

Here comes a pet peeve of mine: folks who look down on goalkeepers from smaller leagues like the Polish Ekstraklasa, Turkish Süper Lig, or Eastern European top flights. The assumption is that if they’re not in the Premier League or La Liga, their saves don’t count. Nonsense! Ever heard of Łukasz Fabiański or Rüştü Reçber? Both world-class shot-stoppers who have frustrated some of the best forwards.

It’s no coincidence that in some of the most memorable penalty shootouts—think Euro tournaments or Copa Libertadores finals—goalkeepers from “less popular” leagues have stolen the show. If you want proof, take a deep dive into Transfermarkt.com and cross-check players' penalty save stats, then watch their highlight reels on YouTube. The evidence will blow your mind.

Wrapping It Up: The Two-Man Penalty Kick and The Keeper's Ultimate Challenge

So, to answer the question: Yes, a penalty can indeed be passed to a teammate, creating a two-man penalty kick scenario. It’s rare, it’s clever, and when executed well, it leaves goalkeepers stupidfied, adding another layer of psychological warfare to the already nerve-wracking penalty drama. That said, it relies on perfect timing, audacity, and a dash of showmanship—the kind that legends like Cruyff, Messi, and Suarez https://www.footballdive.com/2025/09/11/10-goalkeepers-with-the-best-penalty-save-records-in-football-history/ thrive on.

Behind every daring penalty pass or nerve-racking shootout lies the often-underrated hero: the goalkeeper. Those who pour hours into studying shooters, maintaining calm nerves, and pulling off saves that change games. From the giants of Werder Bremen, to the stalwarts of Schalke 04 and Hamburger SV—goalkeepers deserve their spotlight.

Next time you're watching a penalty, don’t just marvel at the scorer—watch that keeper like a hawk. Trust me, a spectacular penalty save is worth ten free kicks from 30 yards out.

Now, how about a quick browse on Transfermarkt.com for the stats, then binge some classic penalty saves on YouTube? You’ll get hooked, I promise.

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