Goalkeepers are odd. Anyone who’s ever been forced into the position by a lack of numbers can attest that it is a lonely, nerve-racking experience back there, but that’s the life they chose.
Individual awards have an extreme preference for goal scorers, and a goalkeeper has only ever been awarded the Ballon d’Or on a single occasion — that being Lev Yashin in 1963.
However, these goalkeeping records show the remarkable achievements that the position has contributed to the game.
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Soccer Goalkeeper Records
Most Saves in a World Cup Match:
Tim Howard (USA) vs. Belgium at the 2014 World Cup - 16 saves
Most Saves in a Premier League Match:
Tim Krul (Newcastle United) vs. Tottenham 2013 - 14 saves
Most Saves in a World Cup Penalty Shootout:
Ricardo (Portugal) vs. England at the 2006 World Cup - 3 saves
Most Saves in a European Cup Penalty Shootout:
Helmuth Duckadam (Steaua Bucharest) vs. Barcelona 1986 European Cup Final - 4 straight
Most Penalties Saved in Normal Time:
Walter Scott in 1909 - 3
Gary Bailey in 1980 - 3
Matt Glennon 2007 - 3
Most Career Goals Scored by a Goalkeeper:
Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo FC) - 129
*He’s also the player with the longest career as player and captain of the same football club.
Most Goals Conceded in a World Cup Qualifying Match:
Nicky Salapu (American Samoa) vs. Australia - 31
Least Amount of Goals Conceded in a World Cup Final:
Pascal Zuberbuhler (Switzerland) at the 2006 World Cup - 0*
*The Swiss were knocked out on penalties in the round of 16 by Ukraine
Most International Appearances:
Mohamed Al-Deayea Saudi Arabia - 181 caps
Longest Streak Without Conceding a Goal in a Single Season:
Matos Filho Mazaropi (Vasco da Gama) - 1,816 minutes
*Europe* Dany Verlinden (Club Brugge) - 1,390 minutes
Fastest Goal Ever Scored by a Goalkeeper:
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City) vs. Southampton 2013 - 12 seconds
Consecutive League Appearances:
Steve Ogrizovic (Coventry City) - 209 consecutive games over five years.
Fastest MLS Red Card Ever:
Joe Nasco (Colorado) vs. LA Galaxy in 2014 - 34 seconds
The World's Most Expensive Goalkeeper:
Gianluigi Buffon to Juventus - £33 million