Youngster Kalmurza, a teenage goalkeeper, sets record by saving a penalty in his first-ever Champions League match
In a thrilling encounter between Kairat and Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, the spotlight was stolen by an 18-year-old goalkeeper named Sherkhan Kalmurza. Making his debut in Europe's elite club competition, Kalmurza showcased his exceptional skills, particularly in the first half of the game.
The highlight of the first half came when he saved a penalty attempt by Morten Hjulmand, the captain of Sporting. This was not just any penalty save; it was the only goal Kairat managed to prevent throughout the first half.
Kalmurza's penalty save made him the youngest player to save a penalty in the Champions League, a record previously held by Mile Svilar of Benfica. He also became the second youngest overall to achieve this feat.
The game, however, did not end favourably for Kairat, with a 4-1 loss. Sporting's forward, Geovany Quenda, scored the fourth goal, making him the youngest Portuguese player to score in the Champions League. The age difference between the two prodigious talents is approximately 45 days.
Quenda's goal was a result of his impressive dribbling past several defenders, a testament to his skill and determination. Interestingly, Quenda had also made his Champions League debut at a young age, being promoted to Sporting's first team at 17 in 2024.
The first half of the game ended with a score of 0-0, and it was not until the penalty save by Kalmurza that the game began to unfold. The penalty he saved was not the first one he saved in the Champions League; he had previously saved another penalty in his debut match.
This game marked Kairat's debut in the Champions League, a significant milestone for the Kazakhstan team. Despite the loss, the performance of Sherkhan Kalmurza promises a bright future for the team and the young goalkeeper.
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