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Copa America: Venezuela’s Luis Seijas fails spectacularly with attempted Panenka penalty

The penalty was awarded on the brink of half-time as Venezuela trailed by two goals

Samuel Lovett
Monday 20 June 2016 11:07 BST
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Luis Seijas goes for glory but fails miserably
Luis Seijas goes for glory but fails miserably

Despite trailing by two goals to Argentina in the Copa America quarter-final, Venezuela’s Luis Seijas dared to think big after being awarded a penalty just before the break.

As Venezuela’s best opportunity to get back into the game, Seijas took it upon himself to take the penalty and kick-start what could have been a famous comeback against the Argentinians.

Recalling memories of Andrea Pirlo’s famous penalty against England in the 2012 Euros quarter-final, Seijas attemped the spectacular with a Panenka.

Except it didn’t quite go to plan.

Argentina’s Romero read Seijas like a book and barely budged from the centre of the goal as the ball landed comfortably in his hands, much to the horror of Venezuela’s players and fans alike.

Afterwards Romero remarked that he had done his research and anticipated that Seijas might try something audacious.

“I saw Seijas chip a PK vs Huracan and we saw it on the bus with Gustavo Piniero,” he said.

Watch: Seijas's effort falls flat

Prior to the miss, Gonzalo Higuain had given the Argentinians the lead with a brilliant brace before further goals from Messi and Erik Lamela secured a 4-1 win for the 2014 World Cup finalists.

It’s safe to Luis Seijas won’t be trying that again anytime soon.

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