Let's examine ADG with the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final as a hypothetical example. (While the author believes that ADG after 90 minutes will be the optimal format, the players listed below are those who were on the field at the completion of extra time.) Chelsea have ten players and United have the full eleven. Chelsea have Essien, Carvalho and Ballack on yellow cards. United have Ferdinand, Vidić and Tévez also on yellow cards. United win the toss and choose to attack in the first contest. Both teams receive an additional substitution.
The referee meets separately with the teams and records their five attackers
and the order in which they will compete.
CHELSEA
1
3
5
6
8
13
21
26
35
39
Čech (GK)
A. Cole
Essein
Carvalho
Lampard
Ballack
Terry
Kalou
Belletti
Anelka
MANCHESTER UTD
1
3
4
5
7
8
11
15
16
17
32
Van der Sar (GK)
Evra
Hargreaves
Ferdinand
Ronaldo
Anderson
Giggs
Vidić
Carrick
Nani
Tévez
Contest 1
Manchester United have Ronaldo as their attacker, while Chelsea select Terry as their defender. Čech is the goalkeeper. Ronaldo fakes out Terry with some sublime footwork. He quickly dribbles the ball towards goal and dispatches a thunderous shot. Goal!
Contest 2
Chelsea have Ballack as their attacker and Manchester United select Ferdinand as their defender. Van der Sar is the goalkeeper. Ballack skips past Ferdinand and bends the ball towards goal. Van der Sar makes a spectacular save.
Contest 3
Manchester United have Tévez as their attacker and Chelsea select Cole as their defender. Cole makes a fantastic tackle on Tévez and kicks the ball over the touchline.
Contest 4
Chelsea have Kalou as their attacker and Manchester United select Vidić as their defender. Kalou skips past Vidić and shoots from outside the penalty box. Van der Sar makes an amazing save to deny the goal.
Contest 5
Manchester United have Nani as their attacker and Chelsea select Carvalho as their defender. Nani is outpacing Carvalho and approaching the penalty area when he’s tackled from behind. Carvalho receives his second yellow card of the match and is sent off. Nani has sustained an injury and is assisted from the field. United use their additional substitution to bring on Fletcher. Fletcher converts the penalty.
Contest 6
Chelsea have Essien as their attacker and Manchester United select Carrick as their defender. Essien out muscles Carrick and gets a powerful shot away. Another great save from Van der Sar.
Contest 7
Manchester United have Giggs as their attacker and Chelsea opt not to field a defender. Remember that Chelsea are down a man because of Drogba’s red card. Giggs quickly dribbles his way into the penalty box and shoots. Čech gets a fingertip to the ball and it’s enough to push it over the crossbar.
Contest 8
Chelsea have Lampard as their attacker and Manchester United select Anderson as their defender. Lampard has to score or United will be champions. Anderson tussles with Lampard before making a terrific tackle and kicking the ball out of play. Manchester United win the 2008 UEFA Champions League! View Completed Scorecard.
| # | Attacker | Defender | Goalkeeper | Result | ADG Score |
| 1 | Ronaldo | Terry | Čech | Goal | MAN 1-0 CHE |
| 2 | Ballack | Ferdinand | Van der Sar | - | MAN 1-0 CHE |
| 3 | Tévez | A. Cole | Čech | - | MAN 1-0 CHE |
| 4 | Kalou | Vidić | Van der Sar | - | MAN 1-0 CHE |
| 5 | Nani/Fletcher | Carvalho | Čech | Goal | MAN 2-0 CHE |
| 6 | Essein | Carrick | Van der Sar | - | MAN 2-0 CHE |
| 7 | Giggs | - | Čech | - | MAN 2-0 CHE |
| 8 | Lampard | Anderson | Van der Sar | - | MAN 2-0 CHE |
"Penalty shootouts have nothing to do with football.
It’s like shooting poor wee ducks at a fairground."