Van Gaal's Goalkeeper Switch Ahead of 2014 World Cup Penalties

The Netherlands pushed Argentina into extra time in the 2014 quarter‑final, and Van Gaal replaced goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen with Tim Krul in the 121st minute. Krul saved two penalties in the shoot‑out, propelling the Dutch side to the final.

Van Gaal’s daring substitution became a textbook case of how a keeper change can influence penalty outcomes, cementing its place in football lore.