The only keeper ever subbed in just for a penalty shootout
In short: In 2014, Tim Krul achieved a feat never before seen in FIFA World Cup history. He didn't start the match or play the full ninety minutes; he was brought on specifically to face five penalties. His performance secured a historic victory and cemented his place in football lore.
Tim Krul’s career is defined by resilience against chronic injury and high-pressure moments. After moving from ADO Den Haag to Newcastle United in 2005—a move that involved a legal dispute over compensation leading to a €220,000 ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)—Krul spent years navigating the transition from backup to first choice. He endured multiple surgeries on his cartilage and suffered several dislocated shoulders, often spending months on the sidelines before returning to elite competition.
His most iconic moment occurred during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Playing for the Netherlands against Costa Rica, Krul was named as a 120th-minute substitute by coach Louis van Gaal. This marked the first time in tournament history that a goalkeeper was brought on solely for a penalty shootout. He faced five penalties, saving two of them to help the Oranje secure a 4–3 win and a third-place finish.
Beyond individual accolades like being named Norwich City's Player of the Season (2019–20), Krul’s journey reflects the grueling nature of professional sports. From his debut in the UEFA Cup in 2006 to his eventual retirement in September 2025 at age 37, he navigated loan spells across Scotland and the Netherlands, eventually concluding a career that spanned nearly three decades of top-flight football.
Krul's legacy is one of tactical utility and mental fortitude. Whether it was saving a Frank Lampard penalty for Newcastle in 2011 or enduring the physical toll of multiple shoulder dislocations, he became a reliable figure for both club and country, eventually retiring after a final stint with Luton Town.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Tim Krul
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