The story behind Ozer's triple penalty miracle in Rome - it was a promise to girlfriend!

It all began with a promise to his girlfriend. It ended with a performance that every goalkeeper will dream of repeating not in years, but in decades to come. Because it's not every day that a keeper saves three penalties in the same match - in open play. Yet that's exactly what Berke Ozer did in Lille's narrow but unforgettable victory away at Roma on Thursday night.

Yes, the scoreboard says it was Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, the 22-year-old Icelandic winger who tormented Roma's defense on the right flank, who scored the only goal. But the truth is simple: without Ozer's magic, that goal would have been worth nothing.

Alright folks, three penalties to level the score – can we do it?

For those who missed the madness, here's how it unfolded. Roma had the chance to equalize from the spot. Artem Dovbyk stepped up, Ozer denied him. But the referee ordered a retake - Thomas Meunier had encroached. No problem, thought Dovbyk, he took the ball again… and Ozer saved again. Yet once more the officials intervened: the Turk had left his line too early.

Now the Ukrainian striker had had enough of humiliation. He walked away. The responsibility passed to Matias Soule. Fresh legs, new confidence? Hardly. Facing the beastly figure of Ozer, his blood froze. Third penalty, third save - this time clean, this time final! Lille's lead was preserved, the three points secured, and a €4.5m summer signing from Eyupspor had become a hero overnight.

And to think it all began with love...

"A crazy night. Before the match I promised my girlfriend I wouldn't concede. She told me I hadn't managed that for a while, so I swore I would. Of course she couldn't have imagined it would turn out this way… and honestly, neither could I," Ozer laughed in front of Canal+.

And then, with a smile that now belongs to legend, he added:

"Who knows? If there had been a fourth penalty, maybe I would've saved that one too."

But in the end, he remembered what truly mattered: "An incredible night for the team. Because what counts are the three points, not the three penalties."

Even so… those penalties will be counted. Forever.