Andrea Pirlo’s outrageous penalty in Italy’s shoot-out victory against England was the talk of Twitter on Sunday night.
The Juventus playmaker nonchalantly chipped the ball over the diving Joe Hart as the Azzurri progressed to the semi-finals of Euro 2012. They'll face Germany next.
Andrea Pirlo’s outrageous penalty in Italy’s shoot-out victory against England was the talk of Twitter on Sunday night.
The Juventus playmaker nonchalantly chipped the ball over the diving Joe Hart as the Azzurri progressed to the semi-finals of Euro 2012. They'll face Germany next.
“Wow. Pirlo is a joke,” wrote former England striker Michael Owen. “Pirlo was awesome but we have a player of a similar age and equally as good. Unfortunately he wasn’t there. #Scholes.”
Manchester United stopper Rio Ferdinand noted: “On a pure footballing note Pirlo just put on a pure footballing master class + the penalty was too much.”
Pirlo’s penalty also made an impact on a few of the Spanish squad who will be facing Portugal in the other semi-final.
“What a great penalty from Pirlo – phenomenal,” noted Barcelona playmaker Xavi.
Teammate Gerard Pique said: “Pirlo is just class.”
Udinese midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah, who will be Pirlo’s colleague in Turin next season, was just as impressed. “Pirlo. Mamma Mia!”
Italian Moto GP rider Valentino Rossi insisted that he knew victory would arrive after that moment of magic by the 33-year-old.
“We couldn’t lose after that chip from Pirlo,” he explained. “What a spectacle!”