Barcelona star offered to take first penalty of career in Euro 2024 shootout

A leading member of the defensive ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona took the very first penalty of his career during a shootout on the international stage this weekend.

The player in question? Jules Koundé.

Stopper Koundé, for his part, featured from the off once more for France on Friday night.

As much came as Les Bleus locked horns with Portugal, for a place in the semi-finals of the European Championships.

The matchup was ultimately sent to a penalty shootout, after a drab goalless stalemate across 90 minutes, and a further half hour of extra time.

From here, it was France who held their nerve, putting on something of a spot-kick clinic en route to converting all five of their efforts from 12 yards.

And the aforementioned Koundé was amongst the scorers on the night, slotting an unstoppable effort into the top corner of the Portuguese net.

In turn, it may come as something of a surprise to hear that as much marked the very first penalty of the Barcelona star’s career.

Not only that, but, as revealed by L’Équipe, Koundé himself put his name forward as one of his country’s five takers, a remarkable show of confidence and judgement alike.

Conor Laird | GSFN