Panenka Explains Why Díaz Missed Crucial AFCON Final Penalty

Antonín Panenka, the inventor of the famous chipped penalty technique that bears his name, has shared his thoughts on Brahim Díaz’s missed spot-kick in the AFCON final.

Speaking in an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena SER, the Czech legend revealed how much dedication it took him to master the iconic move.

“It took me two years of daily training to be able to take a penalty in that way,” Panenka said.

According to him, Díaz may not have put in enough preparation before attempting such a high-risk technique in a high-pressure moment. “I’m convinced Brahim didn’t train it enough. The idea came to him suddenly in that moment, and he tried it. I think that’s why he didn’t score,” he explained.

Panenka also dismissed claims that the technique is disrespectful to opponents. “I don’t agree. At that moment, I believed it was the right way to score. In a European Championship final, you don’t think about mocking the opponent. My intention was never to ridicule anyone. I simply believed it was the best way to score,” he said.

Panenka’s opinion carries significant weight. In the 1976 European Championship final, he famously chipped the decisive penalty straight down the middle against West Germany, securing victory for Czechoslovakia. That bold moment became one of the most iconic in football history and gave birth to the term “Panenka.”

Since then, many players have attempted the technique, but it remains one of the riskiest choices in football especially in decisive matches.

For Morocco, Díaz’s miss was particularly heartbreaking, as the penalty could have ended the Atlas Lions’ decades-long wait for a major continental trophy. For Díaz, the moment may serve as a reminder of the importance of preparation and composure under pressure.