Position player had to play goalkeeper in Champions League shootout, made the game-winning save

Only one Champions League playoff tie went to extra time, and it had an awesome little wrinkle. In the 118th minute of Wednesday’s match between Ludogorets and Steaua Bucharest, Ludogorets goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov was shown a straight red card. That meant a position player had to step into his place for a penalty shootout, and defender Cosmin Moti was the man selected for that job.

Because Moti is an outfield player, it was perfectly reasonable for him to step up and take a penalty, so we got to experience the joy of a goalkeeper going first in a shootout and scoring. He then went on to make an amazing save on Paul Pârvulescu, Steaua’s second penalty taker. Even if Ludogorets lost, this would have been cool. But they didn’t lose.

Against Steaua’s 7th taker, Cornel Rapa, Moti came up with another amazing save. His team mobbed him. The crowd went ballistic. And his team is going to play in the UEFA Champions League.