The FIFA World Cup 2026 has been full of surprises, with elite goalkeeping emerging as a major highlight. Top football stars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Bruno Guimaraes have all had penalties saved in crucial matches, showing that even the best spot-kick takers are not guaranteed success.

Here’s a look at the goalkeepers who produced these game-changing moments.

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Ørjan Nyland denied Bruno Guimarães

Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland was Brazil’s biggest challenge in the Round of 16 clash. Nyland dived the right way to save Bruno Guimarães’ first-half penalty, giving Norway crucial momentum. Erling Haaland’s late brace then secured a famous 2-1 victory over the five-time world champions. The save was pivotal as Brazil exited the tournament at the Round of 16 stage for the first time since 1990.

Nyland’s superb save held the early momentum at the 18th minute, as 5-time World Cup winners Brazil went defensive from the very first quarter of the game. Meanwhile, Brazil did not have their first-choice penalty shooters, Raphinha and Neymar, as both were not included in the starting lineup.

Till now, Nyland has made a total of 11 saves in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This tally includes several crucial stops, such as four saves against the Ivory Coast, along with the critical penalty save against Brazil.

Nyland, the 35-year-old Norwegian goalkeeper, is currently a free agent after his contract with Sevilla expired, and he is attracting transfer interest from Premier League clubs Manchester City and Leeds United, given his brilliant performance at the 2026 World Cup.

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Mostafa Shobeir stopped Lionel Messi

Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir made World Cup history by saving a penalty from Lionel Messi in Argentina’s dramatic Round of 16 match. Although Argentina came back to win 3-2, Shobeir’s save was a standout moment of the tournament. The miss added to Messi’s record, making him the first player to miss two non-shootout penalties in a single FIFA World Cup edition.

Apart from Leo Messi’s penalty save, the 26-year-old goalkeeper Shobeir also stopped an Iran penalty in their group-stage match. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Shobeir made FIFA World Cup history by becoming only the fourth goalkeeper—and the first African—to save two penalties in a single tournament during regular play (excluding shootouts).

Shobeir has been awarded a 7.72 rating, which makes him the highest-rated goalkeeper for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Kylian Mbappé frustrated by Bono

Morocco’s veteran goalkeeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou once again displayed his penalty-saving brilliance by denying Kylian Mbappe in the World Cup quarter-final. After a lengthy VAR review delayed the kick, Bono remained composed, guessed correctly, and comfortably saved Mbappe’s attempt.’

Already recognised as one of the finest penalty specialists in international football after his performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Bono proved decisive once again on the biggest stage. With this save, Bono holds the record for the joint-most penalty saves (4) in the FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign

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Also, in the Round of 32 shootout against the Netherlands, he made history as the first goalkeeper to save a penalty aimed at the upper third of the net, denying Crysencio Summerville. All of these records have cemented Bono’s legacy as a penalty-saving specialist on the grandest stage of world football. Needless to say, Bono is one of the frontrunners for bagging the Golden Gloves if the Atlas Lions emerge as world champions.