Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will be hoping it doesn’t reach that stage – but the prospect of a penalty shoot out deciding the Champions League final tonight looms large.
Europe’s best defence against the attack that is the envy of club football means it could be a tight, nervous affair in Budapest with PSG looking to defend the title they won in scintillating fashion last year.
Arsenal, competing in their first final since 2006, have one of Europe’s finest goalkeepers to rely on in David Raya, fresh from winning the Premier League’s Golden Glove award having kept 19 clean sheets in 38 games.
PSG meanwhile had the imposing Gianluigi Donnarumma marshalling things from the back this time last year before selling him to Manchester City, signing Lucas Chevalier from Lille as his replacement.
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He hasn’t been a regular starter since January, however, with Matvey Safonov now Luis Enrique’s firm first-choice in goal.
If we do get through 90 minutes and extra-time still deadlocked, which of the two has the edge from 12 yards?
David Raya penalty record for Arsenal
Raya was not involved in the never-ending Carabao Cup shoot-out against Crystal Palace just before Christmas but has been part of two since joining the club.
He made two stunning saves to help his side advance to the Champions League quarter-finals last season against Porto with the Gunners progressing 4-2 on pens. He did however fail to keep any out in an FA Cup third round defeat to Manchester United in January 2025.
His record outside of shoot-outs is respectable. Raya denied PSG from the spot the last time they met in the second-leg of their semi-final clash last season at the Parc de Princes. The Spaniard guessed right to deny Vitinha and briefly give his side a glimmer of hope before Achraf Hakimi extended their lead minutes later.
It is one of three penalties he has kept out in his three seasons in goal for Arsenal, also denying Mateo Retegui against Atalanta last season. Said Benrahma was denied by the former Brentford goalkeeper during his first campaign in north London in 2023-24.
In total, Raya has saved three penalties and conceded nine since joining the Gunners. His overall career record from the spot is six saved penalties and 40 conceded.
Matvey Safonov penalty record
Worryingly for Arsenal if it does get to this stage, Safonov emerged as a big of a penalty shootout expert over the last year. In a Fifa Intercontinental Cup final clash against Flamengo in December, the Russian saved four consecutive spot kicks to help his side secure a sixth trophy of the year.
He also helped PSG see off Lens on penalties last season in the Coupe de France, making two fantastic saves. In the two shoot-outs he has been involved in for PSG – he has been decisive in both.
For non-shoot-out penalties, Safonov has saved one and conceded four in PSG colours.