'What's the point?': Fans slam penalty shootout antics
Croatia’s Danijel Subasic became just the second keeper in World Cup history to save three penalties in a World Cup shootout – but the goalkeeper’s antics left fans and pundits fuming.
Viewers were left scratching their heads in the Croatia-Denmark shootout as officials refused to act on both keepers advancing off their goal line before the ball was kicked.
FIFA rules clearly state: “The defending goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked.”
The officials are a joke when it comes to pens they tell the keeper to stay on there line yet every pen saved in the #CRO Vs #DEN games the keepers were off their line prior to the ball being struck
The very fact that Danijel Subašić was stood in front of the line for every pen
— For the fans (@St_Jigzy) July 1, 2018
What's the point in having the rule about the Keeper staying on their line if it's NEVER enforced?
Even in a bloody World Cup.#WorldCup
— Ellis – AwayDays (@ellis_platten) July 1, 2018
Officials (and VAR) not seeming to bother clamping down on goalkeepers encroaching past the line and stuttered run ups from penalty takers. Rules blatantly being ignored during #WorldCup.
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) July 1, 2018
Danijel Subasic wasn’t alone in his penalty antics, with Kasper Schmeichel also put under the microscope.
Before the penalty shootout, Kasper Schmeichel was already at it when he denied Luka Modric’s penalty shot in extra time.
Upon replay, Schmeichel was well off his line.
Great save, but why is VAR not being used to order retakes when a keeper is so far off his line?
— Glenn Moore (@GlennMoore7) July 1, 2018
Viewers were also quick to point out the recent incident at the U17 Euros, where Ireland goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran was sent off for moving off his line too early.
When you think of that young Irish keeper sent off for being off his line in a final a few weeks back and you see Smichael jnr tonight. 🙄 Consistency. #WorldCup #CRODEN
— Enda Fanning (@EFFanning) July 1, 2018
Hi @FIFAcom how come no keeper is being penalised for coming off his line for a penalty shot…. asking for a young player from Ireland who seems to be the only player ever to be caught??? #briankerrknows
— Tom Kenny (@tomken81) July 1, 2018
Watching the #DENCRO penalties, can't help but think James Corcoran got the rawest of deals when he was sent off during the Euro U17 Championships. It was 50/50 whether he was even off the line. Both Scmeichel and Subasic are almost 6 yards off their line for every pen. #uefa
— Ronano LeTucci (@ilduce16) July 1, 2018
One viewer even went as far as to tweet to Corcoran to ask what he made of the penalty kick infringements.
@jimmycorcoran28 what did you make of Akinfeev, Schmeichel and Subasic all coming off their lines in the world cup penalty shoot outs today?
— G (@GerardMcDaid) July 1, 2018