Helmut Duckadam, 1986 European Cup Final. In the final nearly 40 years ago, after a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes, Duckadam saved all four penalty kicks, helping Steaua Bucharest defeat Barcelona 2-0. Barcelona's goalkeeper, Javier Urruticoechea, saved the first two, but couldn't match his counterpart.

Highlights of the penalty shootout in the 1986 European Cup Final, Steaua Bucharest 2-0 Barcelona.

Peter Schmeichel, Euro 1992 Final. Before the match, experts heavily favored Germany over Denmark. However, Schmeichel made history with a series of saves, including one against Jurgen Klinsmann's header, helping Denmark win 2-0. To this day, it remains one of the biggest upsets in football.

Schmeichel saving Klinsmann's header in the Euro 1992 Final.

Jerzy Dudek, 2005 Champions League Final. In extra time, with the score at 3-3, Dudek saved Andriy Shevchenko's header and a follow-up shot from just a meter out, keeping Liverpool in the game until the penalty shootout. The Polish goalkeeper then saved penalties from Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko, helping Liverpool defeat AC Milan 3-2.

Dudek's double save against Shevchenko in the 2005 Champions League Final.

Gianluigi Buffon, 2006 World Cup Final. In extra time, with the score tied at 1-1, Willy Sagnol crossed the ball to Zinedine Zidane, who had a clear header towards the Italy goal. However, Buffon managed to tip the ball over the bar. Without this save, Italy might not have reached the penalty shootout, where they defeated France 5-4. The 2006 World Cup is Italy's only world title in the past 43 years.

Iker Casillas, 2010 World Cup Final. In the 61st minute, Arjen Robben broke through for a one-on-one with Casillas. But the shot was deflected by Casillas' foot and went wide. This save was crucial for Spain, who later defeated the Netherlands 1-0 with Andres Iniesta's goal in extra time.

Casillas saving Robben's shot in the 2010 World Cup Final.

Petr Cech, 2012 Champions League Final. Robben was once again denied in a crucial moment when he missed a penalty in extra time of the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. The score was 1-1. The Dutch winger shot low to the right corner, but Cech guessed correctly and saved it. Cech then saved another penalty from Ivica Olic, helping Chelsea defeat Bayern Munich 4-3.

Cech saving Robben's penalty in the 2012 Champions League Final.

Rui Patricio, Euro 2016 Final. The Portuguese goalkeeper made several decisive saves, including one against Antoine Griezmann's header. In extra time, Eder scored the winning goal with a long-range shot, defeating France 1-0. Patricio's save was later immortalized in a statue in his hometown of Leiria.

Rui Patricio saving Griezmann's shot in the Euro 2016 Final.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Euro 2021 Final. Donnarumma saved penalties from Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, helping Italy defeat England 3-2 (after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes). In addition to his excellent performance in the final, the Italian goalkeeper was in top form in several other matches. UEFA later named Donnarumma the Player of the Tournament.

Thibaut Courtois, 2022 Champions League Final. The Belgian goalkeeper made 9 saves, including one against Mohamed Salah's close-range shot. His outstanding performance helped Real Madrid defeat Liverpool 1-0 and win their 14th European title.

Emiliano Martinez, 2022 World Cup Final. In the 123rd minute, with the match in its dying seconds, Kolo Muani broke through for a one-on-one. But Martinez managed to save the shot with his left foot, preventing a certain goal for France. The score was 3-3. In the penalty shootout, Martinez saved Kingsley Coman's shot, helping Argentina defeat France 4-2. He later won the Golden Glove and was named the Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper.

Ngoc Tuan

Photo: UEFA, PA, Reuters, AP, CLB