'The goalkeeper’s fear of the penalty' – 
but shouldn’t a striker fear it
so much more? The keeper isn’t
expected to save; the forward 
is obliged to score. A penalty 
can help break the duck,
if you’re blazing chances over the bar
that seem more difficult to miss,
going through a spell of bad luck.

And yet, and yet. Spain’s Morata 
spurned a penalty rebound,
then missed his own pen 
in the next match, while
his country notched up five
including two own goals, 
regardless. So cruel,
so unsure. He failed at Chelsea
as well, this unhappy matador. 

A chance of redemption. 
Dropped for the semi-final,
he came off the bench 
to nonchalantly notch 
the equaliser. Then came
the penalty shoot-out.
He walked to the spot, 
knowing he would miss.
Briefly a saviour. Always
remembered as martyr.