Five of the Best: Penalties

Penalties are next up in our 'Five of the Best' series. From the World Cup final to Swiss football's 12th tier, this collection of spot kicks has something for everyone. What are your favourite penalties? Get in touch and let us know on Twitter or Facebook.

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Zinedine Zidane

This is the kind of sublime skill and audacity for which France legend Zinedine Zidane will always be remembered. At 0-0 in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy, the stage could hardly have been bigger. Zidane's final professional game was subsequently marred by his notorious sending off and France's eventual defeat, but with this wonderful penalty he became only the fourth player in World Cup history to score in two different finals. He was named the best player of the competition and awarded the Golden Ball. It was only a shame he couldn't lift the World Cup at the end of it all.

Ezequiel Calvente

The perfect 'switch-hit' penalty here from Spain Under-19s' Ezequiel Calvente at the 2010 European Championship in France. Shaping to hit the ball with his right foot, the Real Betis midfielder shifts to his left at the last second to send the keeper the wrong way. He might not have tried it had Spain not been 2-0 at the time, but we're very glad he did.

Joonas Jokinen

Former Finnish youth international Joonas Jokinen became an internet phenomenon when he executed a spectacular somersault as he smashed home a penalty for Swiss side FC Baar in April. An amateur outfit who play in the 12^th tier of Swiss football, Baar were hosting rivals FC Sempach in a local derby, and what's more, it was 0-0 when this penalty was taken. We salute you, Joonas.

Joe Hart

This is not the first of our 'Five of the Best' series in which Joe Hart has featured (see the fifth video here). Indeed, the Manchester City and England stopper appears to be a man of many talents. Here he is stepping up for England Under-21s in the penalty shootout of their 2009 European Championship semi-final against Sweden. High and powerful into the roof of the net, he looks as comfortable taking penalties as he does facing them.

Xabi Alonso

An absolutely perfect penalty from Spain's Xabi Alonso in a friendly against Argentina in 2009. For the best view of this one watch the replay at 0.57 seconds.

...Oh, what the hell. Here's one more:

Morons in the park

Ouch.