Berke Ozer the Hero as Lille Stun Roma with Triple Penalty Save in Europa League

In a remarkable night of drama in Rome, Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer etched his name into Europa League folklore by saving three consecutive penalties in the final 10 minutes to secure a 1-0 victory over AS Roma.

The French visitors had taken an early lead when Icelandic midfielder Hakon Arnar Haraldsson pounced on a defensive lapse to fire home in the sixth minute. From then on, Lille were forced to withstand relentless pressure from the hosts, who were desperate to salvage something from the contest.

Their golden opportunity came in the 80th minute when Aïssa Mandi was penalised for handball. Substitute Artem Dovbyk stepped forward, only to see his shot brilliantly turned away by Ozer. VAR intervention, however, ordered a retake after Romain Perraud was deemed to have encroached.

Dovbyk’s second attempt met the same fate, with Ozer once again guessing correctly. Yet, drama continued as the referee adjudged Ozer to have moved early, handing Roma yet another lifeline. This time, Matías Soulé shouldered the responsibility, but his low strike was also spectacularly denied by the Turkish keeper, sparking wild celebrations among the travelling Lille supporters.

For Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini, it was a cruel twist. “I’ve never witnessed three missed penalties in one game,” he admitted. “It was an almost unique situation that ultimately decided the result.”

Lille’s win not only boosted their chances of advancing but also marked a historic European night for Ozer, who at just 24 years old delivered a goalkeeping masterclass that will be long remembered.

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