Brooklyn Beckham has publicly addressed rumours of a rift with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham. In multiple Instagram Stories, he says that his parents' behaviour has affected his marriage to Nicola Peltz. In the long social media post, Brooklyn rejected claims that his wife controls him
Stocks to Watch Today, January 20, 2026: Indian equities began the week on a weak note, with benchmark indices slipping nearly 0.5 per cent amid negative global and domestic cues. Technically, analysts noted that the Nifty's breach below the crucial 25
In a controversy-filled Africa Cup of Nations final, Brahim Diaz's attempt to bring some calm only added to the chaos. Around 17 minutes passed between Morocco being awarded a penalty, deep into stoppage time, and Diaz beginning his run-up. The Real Madrid forward slowed as he approached the ball
Addressing UDF Mahapanchayat in Kochi, Gandhi hailed the alliance workers for the performance in the Kerala panchayat elections, where it gained a majority in 382 gram panchayats, 75 block panchayats and six district panchayats. Kochi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi
Have you ever noticed blood after brushing or flossing your teeth? At first, it may seem like a minor issue caused by brushing too hard. While most of us rinse and forget about it, bleeding gums can be a serious sign of an underlying problem, one that may become costly if ignored
Viral videos allegedly show Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao in intimate acts inside his office. Rao denies claims as manipulated, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah orders inquiry and possible disciplinary action. A DGP-rank Karnataka IPS officer and father of gold smuggling accused Ranya Rao
Lava Blaze Duo 3 Price In India: The smartphone features include an in-display fingerprint sensor, face unlock, stereo speakers, an IR blaster, and a USB Type-C port. The device measures 7.55mm in thickness and weighs 181 grams. Lava Blaze Duo 3 Price In India: Homegrown smartphone brand Lava has
Late last year, more than a thousand people converged in Seoul's convention center as elite engineers presented their latest developments in artificial intelligence. Despite the arcane jargon filling the sprawling auditorium, it was a must-attend event for Korean technology executives and investors
Is a Panenka ever the right choice for a penalty?
In a controversy-filled Africa Cup of Nations final, Brahim Diaz's attempt to bring some calm only added to the chaos.
Around 17 minutes passed between Morocco being awarded a penalty, deep into stoppage time, and Diaz beginning his run-up.
The Real Madrid forward slowed as he approached the ball and dinked the ball down the middle but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy didn't move, comfortably caught it and the game went to extra time with Senegal emerging victorious.
A horrible moment for Diaz, who looked distraught as he was handed the Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer by Fifa president Gianni Infantino at the end of the game.
It is not the first time a Panenka has gone wrong in recent weeks with Sunderland's Enzo le Fee seeing a similar effort easily saved by Caoimhin Kelleher in a Premier League loss at Brentford earlier in January.
But while such efforts look awful when they don't go in, is a chip down the middle really the worst choice for a penalty taker to opt for?
The Panenka takes its name from Antonin Panenka, who famously chipped his penalty down the middle to win the 1976 European Championship for Czechoslovakia.
The game against reigning champions West Germany had ended 2-2 after extra time in Yugoslavia, with a penalty shootout to decide the winner.
When Uli Hoeness smashed his spot-kick over the bar, Czech midfielder Panenka had the chance to win for the underdogs.
After a quick run-up, Panenka floated a delicate chip down the middle to befuddle goalkeeper Sepp Maier and win the trophy for Czechoslovakia.
It was not the first time Panenka had attempted such a penalty. In fact, he had scored for his club side Bohemians against local rival Dukla Prague in the same manner just a month earlier.
However, his Euros-winning effort brought the technique to a wider audience and the Panenka was born.
In the 50 years since Panenka brought the dinked penalty to prominence, it has gradually become more common.
A number of top players, including Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and Francesco Totti, have successfully used the technique from the spot.
France legend Zinedine Zidane has a claim for taking the most high-pressure Panenka, in the 2006 World Cup final with his penalty hitting the underside of the crossbar and just crossing the line.
It's probably not what he is most remembered for that night, though.
England have suffered at the hands of the Panenka a couple of times in shootouts, most famously when Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo nonchalantly beat Joe Hart to change the momentum of the shootout in the Euro 2012 quarter-final.
"For me, Hart seemed to be very confident in himself," Pirlo said. "I needed to do something to beat him.
Penalties are a very personal thing but, when I saw him move, I decided to do that. It seemed to be a psychological blow for us.
Similarly in the 2022 EFL Cup final, with Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga making a show of trying to distract the Liverpool players, Fabinho responded by calmly dinking his kick down the middle, much to the delight of the Reds fans behind the goal.
A psychological blow? Well, every Liverpool player proceeded to score as they won 11-10 on penalties.
But for all the notable successes, Diaz is not the first high-profile miss.
In 1992, Gary Lineker had the chance to match Sir Bobby Charlton's 49 goals for England in a friendly against Brazil but fluffed his attempted Panenka and ended up one shy of the then-record.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero was usually pretty reliable from the spot but was made to look foolish when he attempted a Panenka in May 2021 as Chelsea went on to win 2-1 after the penalty save from... Edouard Mendy.
There is no doubt that if a player misses a Panenka, the criticism seems to be more severe than if a tame effort towards the corner was saved.
"You will get people moaning because they see it as something different," former Bristol City and Swansea striker Lee Trundle told BBC Sport.
Trundle, who was known for attempting eye-catching flicks and tricks, took penalties throughout his career and although he never took a Panenka as a pro, he did so successful playing semi-professionally.
"My thinking of it is that it's just another way to score a penalty," he said.
"If you put it left or right and the keeper dives and guesses the right way and he saves it, that's the same if you do a Panenka and he stays in the middle and saves it.
If it goes in then everyone says how brilliant it is.
The stats suggest that going down the middle might actually be the way to go, whether that is going for a Panenka or with power, with 84% of such spot-kicks at the World Cup (since 1966) and the Euros (since 1980) finding the net.
That's compared to 78% going left and only 74% going right.
That trend continued at this year's Afcon with six of eight penalties down the middle finding their mark for 75%, markedly up on the 12 of 18 (67%) shooting left and 11 of 16 (69%) shooting right.
So what is the thought process behind opting for a Panenka? Is it an instinctive decision or something that will have been planned ahead of time?
"When I've done it, it's been about how the game is going," Trundle added.
"You could be playing really well and have that confidence. I think later on in the game as well, I think that's where it's better because the keeper will usually dive.
If it's 1-1 and there's five minutes to go, the chances are, he's not going to stand in the middle and just let the ball go in one of the corners.
That might explain Diaz's thinking as he assumed that Mendy would feel he had to dive.
In this instance, though, Mendy clearly spotted something in Diaz's run-up and stayed where he was.
That is perhaps why there is such added frustration after a missed Panenka because while a player might inadvertently telegraph where he is aiming, if they put the ball in the corner, the goalkeeper still might not get to it.
There is no such leeway if you give away that you're going down the middle.
"He's probably changed his mind many a time in that situation," Trundle said of the long delay before Diaz took his penalty.
"If you're in the game and you get a penalty, even if it's a couple of minutes, it gets in your head.
"In those little stages, you'll see defenders coming up and talking to the penalty taker, the keeper coming out.
The more time for a penalty to be taken, the more I think it goes in the keeper's favour.
The biggest mistake a penalty taker can make is to change their mind in their run-up, says Trundle, but while missing a Panenka might lead to heavy criticism, having it as an option should only benefit the attacker.
"If you spin it around again, it adds another pressure to the keeper because instead of left or right, now you've got left, right or down the middle," he said.
It should still be in the player's favour.
Not that it will be of much comfort to Diaz right now.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Records Highest-Ever Domestic Sales In 2025 Kitchen Essentials Indians Are Upgrading Right Now And Why Jaipur hosts first-ever public Army Day parade Carrick 'right choice at this moment' - Rooney Right to self-determination mustn’t be abused to encourage secession Fatter Than Ever Global disruption looms large over biggest-ever Davos Zootropolis 2 becomes Hollywood's biggest animated film ever MP has all right ingredients to become IT hub Saved by 'special talent' - but did penalty award wrong Brighton
A United Airlines Airbus A321neo (UA2323) suffered a dramatic mechanical failure at Orlando International Airport (MCO) when a nose wheel detached upon touchdown. Watch the viral footage of the rough landing that led to an FAA ground stop. The United Airlines flight that originated from Chicago was
Just now
Smith, who last featured in a T20I for Australia back in February 2024, recently smashed a 42-ball 100 for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL). The star Aussie batter Steve Smith expressed his aspirations of featuring in a T20I for Australia in the Olympics
Just now
Composer and filmmaker Palash Muchhal appears to be channeling his focus back to work after weeks of intense public scrutiny surrounding his personal life. Following the cancellation of his wedding with Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana, Palash is now gearing up for his next directorial venture
Just now
This development comes as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) announced that US and Canadian aircraft will arrive at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. Several European nations have deployed military personnel to Greenland amid escalating threats from US President Donald Trump to
Just now
Manchester City have moved swiftly to address their defensive problems, snapping up Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on a five-and-a-half-year deal reportedly worth £20 million. With injuries piling up at centre-back, City stepped up their pursuit of the England international and got the deal
Just now
The Congress on Monday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Rajasthan of conspiring to fraudulently remove voters who support the Opposition from the electoral rolls using allegedly forged forms during the special intensive revision in the state
Just now
NASA rolled out the Moonbound Artemis II rocket and spacecraft, achieving a "huge milestone" on Saturday, January 17. The rollout of the powerful Stacked Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft officially started around 7:04 am ET
Just now
Tiger Global may file a review petition following a Supreme Court verdict on the India-Mauritius tax treaty. The ruling alters how investors interpret tax treaties, particularly regarding indirect transfers. This development sparks discussions in tax and legal circles
Just now
Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, known as Valentino, has died at the age of 93. One of the giants of 20th Century fashion, Valentino's creations were worn by celebrities and well-known figures including Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Reagan, Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow
Just now
Experts warn that the use of external chemicals even those labelled mild may disrupt the natural microbiome, increasing the risk of infections. Conversations around intimate hygiene remain limited, and the use of external products to maintain it continues to be widely debated
Just now
Speculation about a possible delay in the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War has now been put to rest, with sources close to the project firmly dismissing claims that the film has been pushed to 2027. New Delhi: Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is gearing up for a grand return to the big
Just now
WhatsApp appears to be preparing a major upgrade for its web platform, with new features aimed at bringing it closer to the experience offered on mobile and desktop apps. According to a recent report, the company is developing support for group voice and video calls on WhatsApp Web
Just now
Global trade is reorganizing into regional blocs, not collapsing. Companies must build capacity to navigate multiple futures as geopolitics increasingly shapes markets. India Inc. shows resilience due to strong domestic demand. Leaders need to embed geopolitical insight into strategy for growth and
Just now
It was a moment Charalampos Kostoulas will never forget. An acrobatic overhead-kick equaliser in stoppage time - not a bad way for Brighton's 18-year-old Greek forward to open his account at the Amex Stadium. The substitute, who signed from Olympiakos for £29.78m in the summer
Just now
Silver rate today: The COMEX silver rate today surged to a new record high, as President Donald Trump's bid to take control of Greenland stoked concerns over a potential US–Europe trade conflict, unsettling markets. Silver briefly climbed to an all-time high of $94.740 an ounce on Tuesday
Just now
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the aim behind this is to free people from the burden of remembering multiple numbers during crises and to ensure swift help when it matters most. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Monday that citizens will no longer need to dial different helpline
Just now
India's dining landscape continues to evolve with brands expanding thoughtfully, blending strong culinary identities with design, community, and purpose. Across cities, new openings are no longer just about food, they are about experience, storytelling
Just now
Blue Davos refers to a special focus on water — especially oceans, freshwater, and water-related systems — at this year's World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The WEF, from January 19 to 23, will highlight water ecosystems, the global water cycle
Just now
Prateek Yadav, the son of Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, has hit headlines after announcing his intention to divorce his wife, Aparna Yadav, alleging that she has “ruined his family ties." Hours after announcing the decision
Just now
Ecommerce marketplaces such as Amazon India and Flipkart are set to post 20–22% growth during their ongoing Republic Day sales compared with last year, extending the online shopping momentum seen during the 2025 festive season, according to industry experts.Republic Day sales
Just now
Earlier this month, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Sham Lal Sharma, called for a separate state of Jammu to be carved out of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP was quick to distance itself from Sharma's statement, describing it as his individual opinion
Just now
Tarot Card Reading Horoscope Today For January 20: Step into the mystical realm as the tarot cards reveal what the universe has in store for you today. Whether you`re seeking clarity in love, career, or personal growth, today`s tarot insights offer powerful guidance tailored to your zodiac sign
Just now
Senegal's thrilling Africa Cup of Nations win has been dimmed by controversy, as a walk-off protest during their final against Morocco looms over celebrations. Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw made the dramatic decision to lead his team off the field following a debatable VAR penalty call
Just now
JioHotstar has announced a revised subscription structure for new users, introducing nine plans across Mobile, Super and Premium tiers. The update, effective January 28, 2026, adds monthly options across all tiers while retaining quarterly and annual plans
Just now
The Indian women's futsal team delivered a comeback for the ages, scoring four goals in the final 12 minutes to stun Pakistan 5-3 at the SAFF Women's Futsal Championship 2026 in Thailand on Monday. At one point, India were staring at defeat. Pakistan had led twice and were 3–1 up
Just now
A video of a Mahindra Scorpio SUV being driven recklessly in Delhi-NCR has sparked a heated debate on social media about aggressive driving and the behaviour of certain SUV drivers on Indian roads. The clip on X showed the car repeatedly moving dangerously from left to right on a packed road
Just now
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store clarified to US President Donald Trump that the Norwegian government has no authority over deciding Nobel laureates. He made the remarks while confirming that he received a message from Trump over the Nobel Peace Prize snub
Just now
