Panenka himself weighs in on Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz’s penalty miss for Morocco: ‘It took me two years’

Real Madrid‘s attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz had a brilliant time Africa Cup of Nations of Moroccoall the way to the penalty that changed the outcome of the final defeat Senegal. A miss in the final minute of regulation, where he tried to impersonate Antonin Panenka sent the game to extra time.

Díaz was the subject of criticism, especially for the way he chose to take the penalty. Instead of a more conventional strike, he opted for the gentle touch known as a Panenka. Precisely the former Czech player explained why he thinks Díaz missed in an interview with “El Larguero”.

Panenka said: “It took me two years of training every day to master that punishment. I am convinced that Brahim had not trained it deeply enough to use that style. That’s when the idea occurred to him and he tried it. That’s why I don’t think he scored.”

Panenka wrote history 50 years ago

Panenka may not have had a career full of individual accolades, but he made history with one great Czechoslovakia team. In the 1976 European Championship final, his team went to a penalty shootout against West Germany and ultimately won.

The result was surprising, but the way it happened ensured that his name is remembered to this day. A delicate chip in the middle of Panenka wasn’t even legendary Sep Maier expected, sealing the final punishment for the title.

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When asked whether taking such a penalty could be seen as disrespectful to the opposing goalkeeper, Panenka said: “I don’t agree with it. I thought this was the most likely way to score. In a European final you don’t think about mocking the opponent. I love football, I didn’t mean to make fun of anyone.”

Díaz’s African Cup of Nations

Until the missed penalty in the final against Senegal, Díaz had been the star of the team. The midfielder was decisive from the group stage onwards, scoring against Comoros, scoring again in the draw against Mali and adding another goal against Zambia to finish the group as leaders.

Díaz also guided Morocco through the knockout rounds. He scored in wins against Tanzania in the round of 16 and Cameroon in the quarter-finals. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.