Sporting’s Pedro Goncalves and Kairat’s Alyaksandr Martynovich, right, watch as Kairat’s goalkeeper Sherhan Kalmurza dives for a save during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sporting CP and Kairat Almaty at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida)
Kairat’s 18-year-old goalkeeper Sherhan Kalmurza looks on during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sporting CP and Kairat Almaty at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida)
Sporting’s Geovany Quenda celebrates with Alisson Santos, left, after scoring his side’s fourth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sporting CP and Kairat Almaty at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida)
Teenage goalkeeper Kalmurza becomes youngest to save a penalty in Champions League debut
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Teenage goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza saved a penalty on his debut in the Champions League for Kazakhstan team Kairat on Thursday, becoming the youngest player to do so.
Sporting’s Pedro Goncalves and Kairat’s Alyaksandr Martynovich, right, watch as Kairat’s goalkeeper Sherhan Kalmurza dives for a save during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sporting CP and Kairat Almaty at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ana Brigida)
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Teenage goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza saved a penalty on his debut in the Champions League for Kazakhstan team Kairat on Thursday, becoming the youngest player to do so.
Kalmurza made some other fine stops but could not prevent a 4-1 loss to Sporting Lisbon in what was a debut for the Kazakh club in Europe’s elite club competition.
At 18 years, 96 days old, Kalmurza was the third youngest goalkeeper to play in the tournament, UEFA said.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
He also became the second youngest overall to save a penalty after Mile Svilar of Benfica who was 18 years 65 days old when he stopped a penalty by Manchester United’s Anthony Martial in 2017.
It was still 0-0 when Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand sent him the wrong way but Kalmurza managed to stretch to block the spot kick with his right leg in the 21st minute.
One of the goals Kalmurza conceded was netted by another teenager at the other side, forward Geovany Quenda who dribbled past several defenders before completing the rout at 18 years, 141 days old, becoming the youngest Portuguese player to find the back of the net in the Champions League.
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation