World Cup: Dutch penalty kick nearly goes in, nobody notices
Vlaar's spot kick almost spins into the net after being saved
When Sergio Romero stopped the Netherlands' Ron Vlaar on the opening attempt of the penalty shootout to decide their World Cup semifinal match this week, the Argentina goalkeeper gave his team a huge leg up in what would eventually turn into a 4-2 shootout win and a berth in the final.
But it almost went a different way. As this (admittedly Zapruder-esque) fan video shows, Romero's premature celebration of his save nearly allowed the ball to roll in:
Had the ball travelled just a few more inches, it could have changed the complexion of shootout.
But another angle calls into question whether the goal would have counted, as the ball may have touched Vlaar before beginning its path back to the goal-line.
Argentina very well may have won the shootout anyway, but just something to think about when Romero and company take on Germany for the title on Sunday.
