Carlos Vinicius endured a dramatic collapse for Gremio in the Copa Sudamericana, missing three penalties inside six minutes against Palestino — two retaken after the goalkeeper stepped off his line and a third after he slipped. The sequence leaves questions about technique, composure and Gremio’s penalty protocol ahead of crucial continental fixtures.
Vinicius misses three penalties in six minutes for Gremio in Copa Sudamericana
Carlos Vinicius saw a routine moment in the 11th minute spiral into a six-minute calamity that will be replayed across South America. The former Tottenham and Fulham striker missed three spot-kicks against Palestino — two penalties retaken for goalkeeper Sebastian Pérez stepping off his line, and a third saved after Vinicius slipped on his run-up. He later had a goal disallowed for handball in the buildup, compounding a night to forget.
How the sequence unfolded
The first penalty was struck low to the keeper’s right and saved, but VAR intervention and the referee ordered a retake after Pérez was judged to have left his line. Vinicius adjusted his placement on the retake, aiming to the opposite side, yet Pérez somehow reacted and kept it out — again flagged for an early move, prompting a second retake. On the third attempt Vinicius slipped as he planted, losing balance and power; Pérez saved comfortably. All three attempts came within six minutes of one another.
The procedural and technical angles
VAR enforcement of goalkeeper encroachment has increased the likelihood of retaken penalties, testing both taker patience and technique. Vinicius’s run-up and placement choices this night looked tentative: the first two efforts were tame and predictable, and the slip on the third suggested a mix of urgency and diminished footing. That combination — predictable placement and compromised execution — handed the advantage to Pérez and to Palestino.
What this means for Vinicius and Gremio
For Vinicius, a player known for spells at Tottenham and Fulham and recent moves back to South America, this is a reputational hit rather than a career collapse. Still, missing three penalties in quick succession is a psychological blow that his coaching staff must address immediately. For Gremio, the incident exposes a larger question about penalty responsibility: who is the designated taker, and is there sufficient practice under pressure? In knockout-style continental competitions, fine margins like these can determine progression.
Historical and comparative context
Three missed penalties in a single match is rare but not unprecedented; high-profile examples underscore how even accomplished strikers can falter under pressure. VAR-era retakes have produced strange sequences — teams and players now must manage the mental reset multiple times within minutes. This episode will be compared to past calamities, but contemporary enforcement of keeper movement adds a tactical layer absent in older cases.
What should happen next
Gremio’s immediate priority should be damage control: clear leadership on penalty duties, targeted training to replicate retake scenarios, and psychological support for Vinicius. From a tactical standpoint, crew and coaching staff should ensure the next designated taker practices both placement variation and stability in adverse conditions. For Vinicius, a measured response — technical adjustments and visible confidence in subsequent games — will be the quickest path to restoring trust.
Bottom line
This was a brutal, headline-grabbing episode for Carlos Vinicius and an inconvenient spotlight for Gremio in the Copa Sudamericana. It raises tangible questions about technique, preparation and in-game decision-making, but it is also fixable.
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How the player and club respond in the weeks ahead will determine whether this becomes a turning point or merely a regrettable footnote.
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