Last update on.Kepa, who has been through a lot in the past few years, was not selected for Euro 2020.Kepa Arrizabalaga, a late substitution and penalties looming in major cup final. Do you sound familiar?The 71m Spaniard, who was playing in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in 2019, refused to go on for Willy Caballero during injury time. This incident has been his defining moment at Stamford Bridge.He was able to save one penalty, but the team lost. The club fined him for not following manager Maurizio Sarr's instructions.On Wednesday, the roles reversed with Kepa being the man to play. After Hakim Ziyech's opening goal, Gerard Moreno cancelled it out, this time it was the Uefa Super Cup in Belfast against Villarreal. The game ended at 1-1. It was a triumphant ending.It helped that Edouard Mendy, the man he was replacing, was more open to the idea.Kepa was quite active in the shootout. He got in the faces of his opponents and performed some dramatics at the goalline. He saved two penalties, from Raul Albiol and Aissa Mandi.Albiol was saved by his teammates. He was surrounded by cheering team-mates, who wanted to share the joy.Thomas Tuchel, the manager of the side that beat Manchester City in Champions League final, said afterwards that it had been an idea since February.He told BT Sport that it was not spontaneous. After the first cup match against Barnsley, we discussed it with the goalkeepers."Kepa is the most successful at saving penalties. I was shown the data by goalkeeping coaches and analysing guys. This could occur if we play in knockout matches, which is what we spoke with the players.Mendy was kind and gracious, hugging Kepa after the match. He also said that he knew it would happen in a post-match interview.Kepa was substituted in the 119th minute, which saved two penalties and was then bookedTuchel said, "It's amazing how Edouard accepted,"He doesn't show any pride in not stepping off the field. He was glad to do this for the team."Kepa, who lost his place in the first team to Mendy last year, stated: "It's a not typical situation, but we arrived at penalties after Edouard did an amazing job. We won, and are so happy."I was prepared because I knew that this could happen. I did my best to be mentally and physically ready."Mendy said, "I'm happy because We Won." Since last year, I knew that Kepa would be a great addition to the team if he came on the pitch.Mendy, Kepa, and Tuchel impressed BT Sport's pundits.Joe Cole, a former Chelsea midfielder, said that Thomas Tuchel cannot miss. He does everything well. We asked him about Mendy's performance, but Kepa was amazing in the shootout."Eni Aluko, a former Chelsea forward, said: "This Kepa was a Kepa that nobody liked a few years back. He didn't look good. He has been on a long journey and is now a beloved member of the squad."Rio Ferdinand, ex-defender for England said that Kepa is under intense scrutiny ever since he joined the club. After his save, you could see what he meant to the squad. They were all over him."Obviously Tuchel knew something that we didn't. He was always right in front of Villarreal players before any penalty was taken. He has something special about him. He is a person with personality and character."After the European final against Villarreal, Kepa isn't the first Spanish goalkeeper to be in the headlines for an English team. David de Gea was not able to make it in the final Europa League match, as the Yellow Submarine defeated Manchester United in May.After the 2019 EFL Cup final, Kepa admitted that there had been a miscommunication. She subsequently apologised.
