Malta's Gzira United goalkeeper David Cassar was responsible for a ridiculous auto-goal in their Conference League qualifier against Glentoran from Northern Ireland. The first meeting ended 2-2, and the return also did not reveal the winner (1:1) and everything was decided in the penalty shootout, which was significantly delayed.

When Kassar parried the 12th kick, he immediately ran to celebrate with his teammates, not paying attention to the fact that the ball rolled into the goalpost. When the round sphere crossed the goal line, the opposing goalkeeper immediately drew the attention of the referee and the latter counted the goal.

"If you're wondering, I did that on purpose so I wouldn't have to go back to the hotel early. My second save was already a real one," David himself jokingly reacted to the situation.

The Maltese press called this penalty the "most nightmarish penalty" of the year.

Both sides ended up committing 27 penalties in the 11-meter shootout before Glentoran lost 13-14.

Thus, the teams broke the record for the number of realized penalties in European competitions. The previous record was 21 penalty kicks and happened in the final of the Europa League-2021, where Villarreal beat Manchester United 11:10.

In the next round, Gzira will play against Dudelange from Luxembourg.

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