Soccer is not just about emotions in the moment. Soccer is about results, numbers and a story that will remain forever. Ultimately no matter how much training, trickery and other machinations happen before and during the match, all that matters is the final score.

In the Intercontinental Cup final between PSG and Flamengo, Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov deflected four penalty shots in a row. This has never been done before in an official FIFA tournament final. It is a true record breaking moment that may last for centuries.

The average penalty shootout success rate in global football is 75-78% in favor of the shooter. The probability of making at least one out of four shots in a row is less than one percent. And that is factoring in simply missing. Mr. Safonov SAVED four penalty shots in a row.

Fan reactions across France have been huge. As a backup goalie Mr. Safonov rarely made the news until this moment. If you look at an instagram recording of his post-game interview and you can read French, you will see that the fans are extremely impressed not only with this accomplishment but also his level of French. Mr. Safonov has gained a competent level of French in just a year-and-a-half of playing in the country, while other international stars of soccer never bothered to learn a single word.

And of course some of the comments to this even are of a political nature, begging the question “with guys like him, how could we even fight the Russians?”.

Russian football player Matvey Safonov has written his name in history forever. And one way to smash Russophobia is to be undeniably the best. Ask Alexander Ovechkin, he knows all about it!