When Dennis Bergkamp stepped up to the penalty spot with seconds left in stoppage time of the FA Cup semi-final replay at Villa Park on April 14, 1999, only Manchester United’s Peter Schmeichel stood in the way of Arsenal’s quest for continued domination. It was neck-and-neck in the title race — only a point separated them — and a win could have provided Arsenal with the psychological boost needed to claim a second successive League and Cup double.



With the score 1-1, Bergkamp placed the ball with both teams’ seasons perhaps resting on the outcome. Though it had been five years since Schmeichel had kept a penalty out of the United net, he remained unfazed by the moment and stood statuesque in goal. It wasn’t until right before Bergkamp opened his hips that Schmeichel took a strong step to his left and flung himself with his arms fully extended to make the save. As Schmeichel vigorously celebrated, Bergkamp could only turn his head away in...