Fans rave over Ramsey’s ‘panenka’ in World Cup qualifier

CAIRO – 13 June 2017: Arsenal’s central midfielder Aaron Ramsey became the talk of the football world on social media Sunday after scoring a superb panenka for Wales against Serbia in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. ‘Panenka’ is a chip shot used in penalties named after Czech player Antonin Panenka.

Social Media went wild not only about the way the goal was scored, but also because it was scored in the same stadium as the original panenka.

According to Skysports, Czech striker Panenka scored the first ever panenka goal in 1976 against German goalkeeper Sepp Mair in the finals of the European Championships. The match ended in a draw 2-2, and Panenka won the final for Czechoslovakia by scoring the fifth penalty in style.

Welsh midfielder Ramsey scored his own panenka 41 years later in the same stadium.

Talking to the Daily Mail, Ramsey said, “I didn't know, but that is quite a nice touch. I felt calm, I felt confident in the situation. The keeper asked for the ball so I gave him the ball and he said, "I'm going to stay in the middle, you're going to go down the middle." So, I went in the right hand corner. Thankfully it went in, that’s my first one but I felt I knew that's what I was going to do before stepping up and taking it. I'm just happy it went in.”

The Serbia vs. Wales match ended in a draw thanks to Newcastle striker Mitrovic.

Serbia is in first place in group D with a difference of 12 points. Ireland is in a close second place with 12 points and Wales is third with 8 points.