Ricardo explains penalty success

Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo claimed he could “see in the eyes” of the England players which way they would shoot during the World Cup quarter-final penalty shoot-out in Gelsenkirchen.

Ricardo saved penalties from Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher and got a hand to Owen Hargreaves’ successful kick as the Portuguese won 3-1.

“I could see in their eyes which post they were looking at,” said Ricardo who also foiled England in the shoot-out in the quarter-final of Euro 2004 as well as converting a spot-kick himself in that match in Lisbon.

“Obviously you know a little bit about the players who can take penalties from the videos and games you have watched but it’s that special moment when you know.”

“(Luis) Figo told me to save two penalties so I saved three and afterwards I told him ’two were for you and one was for me’.”

This time Ricardo was listed as the sixth man to take a penalty for Portugal if the match was still deadlocked after five spot kicks each.

“I would have taken one if I had been required to,” said the Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper.