The UEFA Champions League knockout stage is where heroes are made and heartbreak unfolds. For Liverpool, Tuesday night at Anfield was a nightmare. For Gianluigi Donnarumma, it was a coronation.
The Italian goalkeeper, often criticized for lapses in concentration, silenced his doubters with a masterclass in the penalty shootout, leading Paris Saint-Germain to a dramatic 4-1 triumph on penalties after a tense 1-1 aggregate draw. With two stunning saves, he reminded the world why he is regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers of his generation—matching the legendary Emiliano Martínez and bringing back memories of his Euro 2020 heroics.
Soccer has a short memory. Just a week ago, Donnarumma was the scapegoat after letting Harvey Elliott’s late strike slip through his grasp in PSG’s 1-0 first-leg loss at the Parc des Princes. On the same night, his opposite number, Alisson Becker, delivered what many saw as the game of his career. But Anfield witnessed a reversal of roles in the second leg. This time, it was Donnarumma who stood tall when it mattered most.
Despite the intense atmosphere in England, the visitors took the lead early, leveling the aggregate score at 1-1. From then on, Liverpool dominated possession, firing eight shots to the French side’s three, but couldn’t find a breakthrough. Even in extra time, the Reds failed to test Donnarumma, registering zero shots in the final 15 minutes.
The shootout: Donnarumma’s domain
With no further goals, the match went to penalties—Donnarumma’s favorite battleground. PSG’s takers remained ice-cold from the spot, converting all four of their penalties, while Donnarumma saved two of Liverpool’s first three attempts.
Darwin Nunez stepped up first for Arne Slot’s side. The Uruguayan had been one of the most dangerous players throughout the tie—but Donnarumma read him perfectly, diving low to his right for the save. Curtis Jones was next to feel the Italian’s wrath. Again, the Italian shot-stopper guessed right, getting a strong hand to deny the Liverpool midfielder.
With the Ligue 1 champions scoring all their penalties, teenager Desire Doue stepped up and sealed the victory, sending the French giants into the quarterfinals.
Donnarumma’s historic penalty record
With this triumph, the 26-year-old has now won seven of the eight penalty shootouts he has participated in at club and international level. His record includes:
- Italian Super Cup victory with Milan vs. Juventus
- Coppa Italia win vs. Lazio
- UEFA Europa League triumph vs. Rio Ave
- Coppa Italia win vs. Torino
- Euro 2020 semi-final vs. Spain (saved Morata’s penalty)
- Euro 2020 final vs. England (saved Saka and Sancho’s penalties)
- UEFA Champions League win vs. Liverpool
His only loss in a shootout came in the Coupe de France round of 16 in 2022, when the Parisians fell to Nice despite Donnarumma saving one penalty.
Identical to Emiliano Martinez
Remarkably, Donnarumma’s penalty shootout statistics are identical to those of Lionel Messi‘s national team colleague Emiliano Martinez, the World Cup-winning goalkeeper for Argentina.
Both have lost only one shootout they have faced, cementing their status as modern penalty specialists with an 85.7% win percentage. Just like Donnarumma, Martinez became a national hero in a final—saving two penalties against France in the 2022 World Cup final.
