Top 11 Best Penalty-Saving Goalkeepers in the World
The world of football has seen incredible victories brought about by the exceptional skills of talented players on the pitch. In today’s article, let’s join JiliAce to highlight the best penalty-saving goalkeepers in the world.
1. Brad Friedel (Tottenham, USA)

Nicknamed “The Human Wall”, Brad Friedel gained fame for his penalty-saving prowess during the group stage of the 2002 World Cup. Successfully stopping two penalties, Friedel became the first goalkeeper since 1974 to save two penalty kicks in the group stage of the tournament.
2. Luka Milivojevic (Crystal Palace)

Crystal Palace is renowned for earning penalties, thanks to their speedy attacking players, particularly Wilfried Zaha. With Luka Milivojevic in their ranks, they also boast one of the top penalty-takers in the football world.
3. Tim Howard (Everton, USA)

Three seasons ago, the American goalkeeper stunned everyone by helping Everton defeat both Manchester United and Chelsea in penalty shootouts in the FA Cup. Over the past seven years, Howard has been the best penalty-saving goalkeeper in the Premier League.
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4. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich, Germany)

Manuel Neuer’s penalty-saving abilities have been legendary for years. Notably, during the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, Neuer denied Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, leading Bayern to the final.
5. Robert Green (West Ham, England)

In the 2007/08 season, while playing for West Ham, Robert Green made headlines by saving three penalties in the Premier League, playing a pivotal role in helping his team avoid relegation.
6. Jens Lehmann (Arsenal, Germany)

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann delivered a stellar performance during the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup, saving two penalties against Argentina and securing Germany’s spot in the semi-finals.
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7. Pepe Reina (Liverpool, Spain)

Pepe Reina is widely regarded as one of the best penalty-saving goalkeepers in Premier League history. In the 2007 FA Cup semi-final, he stopped three out of four penalty kicks. That same year, he saved two out of three penalties in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, showcasing his exceptional skills.
8. Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United, Netherlands)

The Dutch “Spider-Man” is among the best goalkeepers of the past 15 years. Van der Sar’s career is filled with penalty saves. In Euro 2004, he helped the Netherlands defeat Sweden 5-4 in a shootout. In the 2007 Community Shield, he saved three penalties, and in the 2008 Champions League final, his crucial save against Anelka, combined with Terry’s miss, secured Manchester United’s victory.
9. David Seaman (Arsenal, England)

The legendary Arsenal goalkeeper boasts the best penalty-saving rate in Premier League history, stopping 31.8% of the penalties he faced. Joining Arsenal in 1990, Seaman spent 13 years with the Gunners. Opponents needed an average of 109.2 minutes to score against him, although his clean sheet percentage was only 42%.
10. Heurelho Gomes (Watford, Brazil)

After six years at Tottenham Hotspur, where he struggled to secure a regular spot, Heurelho Gomes moved to Watford. There, the Brazilian impressed fans with his solid performances, quick reflexes, and fiery spirit. Many strikers have faltered against this passionate goalkeeper.
11. Pepe Reina (Liverpool, Spain)

Reina appears twice in this list, reflecting his unparalleled talent in penalty-saving. In addition to his stellar performances in 2007, Reina’s ability to deliver in high-stakes moments continues to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest penalty-stoppers of all time.
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