Panenka

American  

[puh-nen-kuh] / pəˈnɛn kə /

noun

Soccer.

1. a method for taking a penalty kick in which the player takes a slow, gently arching shot to the center of goal because the goalie is likely to have lunged to one side in anticipation of a faster ball targeting one of the goal’s edges.

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Etymology

Origin of Panenka

First recorded in 2000–05; named after Czech soccer player Antonín Panenka (born 1948)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Panenka

His Panenka penalty helped his country make history though with a shootout victory over Australia in the last 32, and he will be hoping Tuesday will mark his biggest World Cup moment.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

Mbappe's team-mate Brahim Diaz, who missed a similar attempted Panenka penalty for Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final, was on the pitch to see it as he returned to action for his club.

From Barron's ● Jan. 24, 2026

After a delay of 17 minutes, Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz - the tournament's top scorer with five goals - fluffed his lines from the penalty spot with a bizarre and untimely Panenka attempt.

From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026

When Uli Hoeness smashed his spot-kick over the bar, Czech midfielder Panenka had the chance to win for the underdogs.

From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026

After a quick run-up, Panenka floated a delicate chip down the middle to befuddle goalkeeper Sepp Maier and win the trophy for Czechoslovakia.

From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026