Penalty run-ups are just getting ridiculous ...
Introducing the faceplant penalty
You’ve heard of diving to win a penalty. How about diving to take one?


Deliberate, yes? We think so. Look at the replay from side on. Look at the cheeky glimpse he gives the referee. Look at the way he’s not clutching his face in agony and/or shame.
Rather incredibly, this wasn’t even a friendly. This was in a penalty shootout, following the 3rd/4th place playoff of the AFC Challenge Cup, a tournament held by the Asian Football Confederation for “emerging nations”. Sadly for our penalty taker, Afghanistan went on to lose the shootout 8-7. Congrats to the Maldives.
Now, who’s going to try this in Brazil?











