They were viably scared, especially the first. Everything in their looks and movements showed this. When they eventually took their penalty kicks, therefore, they lost them – one almost straight into the hands of the goalkeeper, the other against the pole.
This is the story of striker Wilfried Bony and midfielder Serey Die, who missed penalties in the shootout as Algeria sealed a 4-3 victory over Cote d’Ivoire in Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final draw on Thursday.
It is match in from which players and coaches alike ought to learn a lesson concerning such kicks.
If you are the scared type, penalties are simply not for you!
Algeria will now meet Nigeria in the semi-finals at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday as they seek to end their long wait for continental success that stretches back to 1990.
Sofiane Feghouli put Algeria ahead in the first half, but they failed to increase that advantage when Baghdad Bounedjah missed a penalty early in the second period.
Cote d’Ivoire striker, Jonathan Kodjia equalised just past the hour mark, after which both sides created chances and had efforts cleared off the line, but were unable to be separated in 120 minutes.