Dango Ouattara’s missed panenka in FA Cup shootout revives painful memory for Moroccan fans

It was a tense evening at London Stadium as West Ham United booked their place in the FA Cup quarter finals following a dramatic encounter against Brentford that ended in a penalty shootout after a gripping 2-2 draw in regular time.

While the Hammers celebrated progression in the competition, Brentford forward Dango Ouattara left the pitch filled with regret after a costly technical decision during the shootout.

His choice to attempt a Panenka penalty revived memories of similar moments when high-profile players paid the price for attempting stylish finishes at crucial stages of important matches, including Moroccan international Ibrahim Diaz.

The match itself had been fiercely contested. Jarrod Bowen scored twice for West Ham, while Igor Tiago responded with two goals for Brentford to keep the contest level and force penalties.

The defining moment arrived when Ouattara, aged 24, stepped forward to take his spot kick. Instead of opting for power or placement, he attempted the well-known Panenka technique. However, the effort lacked sufficient power and rolled gently into the hands of goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who remained rooted in the centre of his goal.

The miss proved decisive, effectively ending Brentford’s hopes of reaching a major final this season and triggering mixed reactions among fans and pundits.

Brentford coach Keith Andrews was quick to stand by his player after the match, emphasising the bravery required to step up for a penalty in such high-pressure circumstances.

He said: “When you miss a penalty, it hurts, but it’s easier not to take the responsibility of shooting in the first place. He practices this method a lot, and if the attempt had succeeded, everyone would have praised him.”

Not everyone shared the same perspective. Several analysts viewed the decision as unnecessarily risky given the significance of the moment. Former West Ham midfielder Joe Cole remarked that Ouattara appeared confident before taking the kick, but added that such bold attempts lose their value when they fail during a shootout.

Former England international Glenn Hoddle also weighed in, suggesting that prolonged hesitation before striking a penalty can reveal mental uncertainty, which often results in a missed attempt.

For many Moroccan supporters, the incident stirred memories of a controversial moment involving Morocco international Ibrahim Diaz during the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. In that match, Diaz attempted a Panenka penalty at a critical stage but failed to convert, missing an opportunity that could have secured Morocco a long-awaited continental title. Senegal eventually won the tournament.

That moment quickly became one of the most debated incidents of the competition, with many observers arguing that attempting such an elaborate technique in a decisive moment represented an unnecessary gamble.