sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Liverpool and Rangers decided a game with a '5 seconds to score shootout' back in 1997 and it's incredible

Home> Football

Updated 13:32 5 Aug 2022 GMT+1Published 13:29 5 Aug 2022 GMT+1

Liverpool and Rangers decided a game with a '5 seconds to score shootout' back in 1997 and it's incredible

The game between Liverpool and Rangers was all square and so a unique penalty shootout challenge decided the winner.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Liverpool and Rangers once decided a game with a five second shootout challenge and it should absolutely replace the traditional penalty format.

Of course, typically in the game of football a penalty shoot-out sees every player step up from 12 yards and try and beat the opposition goalkeeper from the spot.

But back in 1997, in the ‘Euro Sixes’ six-a-side tournament, there were a very different set of rules.

Advert

The event took place in the middle of the regular season at the Amsterdam Arena and featured Rangers, Liverpool, Ajax and AC Milan.

21,00 fans watched Milan beat Ajax 2-1 on their own patch in the final and every team reportedly received a fee of £125,000 for taking part.

Rangers and Liverpool played contested the third place play-off, which was played in four eight-minute quarters and had rolling substitutions.

Liverpool, who had been beaten in an FA Cup game against Chelsea just 24 hours, lost 7-2 in their first game against Rangers but the third place decider was a draw.

Image: The Rangers Archives
Image: The Rangers Archives

That meant that a shootout was required but it was not normal practice. The attacking player started on the halfway line and then when a buzzer sounded, they had a one-on-one opportunity with the other team's goalkeeper.

However, they had to find the net within five seconds and if the buzzer went off again, the goal did not count. The nets wore normal sized and the goalkeeper could come off his line.

Michael Owen, just 18 at the time, mastered it and smashed one into the top corner, while goalkeepers David James and Andy Goram struggled.

Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Stan Collymore also failed with their attempts.

Ally McCoist slotted in the winning strike inside five seconds to give Rangers a 4-3 victory. It made for fantastic viewing and we reckon it needs to make a comeback.

Image: The Rangers Archives
Image: The Rangers Archives

Over in the MLS back in the 1990's, those across the pond adopted the hockey-like on-on-one penalty duel and it brought plenty of entertainment before it was scrapped in 1999.

Featured Image Credit: Image: The Rangers Archives

Topics: Liverpool, Rangers

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

“I don’t fight for a country” – Michael 'Venom' Page reveals why he won’t walk out with a flag at UFC LondonGeoff Stellfox/Getty ImagesLerone Murphy details ‘bucket list’ fight ahead of UFC LondonChris Unger/Zuffa LLC“All we want is people who really want to die for the shirt” – Danny Dyer talks West Ham, football agents and the toughest firms in the gameOne Last DealWhy Donald Trump lacks power on Iran's participation at World Cup as 'likely decision date' revealedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
4 hours ago
5 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    England star switches allegiance to Ireland for World Cup qualifiers

    Heimir Hallgrímsson has made his picks ahead of the upcoming World Cup play-off semi-finals.

    Football
  • Getty
    4 hours ago

    Man United cult hero launches shock new career on TikTok after failing to find club

    The former Manchester United star is currently without a club and has embarked on a new venture.

    Football
  • Getty
    5 hours ago

    Luis Enrique's response to being asked about taking the Man Utd job

    Paris Saint Germain boss Luis Enrique has been linked with Manchester United.

    Football
  • Getty
    6 hours ago

    Congress take ICE action ahead of World Cup as three bills introduced

    Concerns remain over ICE agents' involvement during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    Football
  • Jurgen Klopp 'to return to Liverpool' and his first game has been decided already
  • Rio Ngumoha given nickname by Liverpool teammate and it's perfect after Newcastle winner
  • Celtic took just 21 seconds to score against Rangers as Daizen Maeda nets bizarre goal
  • Hugo Ekitike has 'decided' which club he would prefer to sign for as Newcastle and Liverpool prepare monster bids for Frankfurt striker