In an unforgettable Europa League clash, Ajax Amsterdam and Panathinaikos battled it out in one of the longest penalty shootouts in European football history. The dramatic encounter, which took place on Thursday night, saw a staggering 36 penalty kicks before a winner was finally decided.
Ajax and Panathinaikos, two European football giants, had played out a tense 2-2 draw across regular time and extra time. The match was ultimately forced into a penalty shootout, where both teams demonstrated nerve and skill in an intense back-and-forth battle.
A total of 36 penalty kicks were taken, with each team stepping up to the spot with everything on the line. In the end, it was Ajax Amsterdam’s Anton Gnesi who netted the final winning penalty, giving his side the victory after an astonishing series of spot-kicks. Panathinaikos’ player, Ranks, missed the deciding penalty, allowing Ajax to advance to the next round of the Europa League competition.
Fans and commentators alike were left in awe as the shootout stretched on, with both teams refusing to give an inch. The match will be remembered as one of the most remarkable penalty shootouts in the history of the Europa League.
espn.com