The Longest Penalty Shot in the World
Fernando (Fernando Tejero) is a loser. A gray type, without ambition, that works like bookcases distributor in a supermarket of the quarter. In his free short whiles, he is a substitute keeper of a football team, a third regional one. In all the season he has not played a single minute. But the last Sunday of the league the referee indicates penalty and the regular keeper injures itself. Fernando must occupy the goal for the first time. If penalty scores, the team of the district will proclaim champion. If no, all the effort of a year will not have been worth for anything. When the penalty is just about to be kicked, a group of indignant fans with the referee invades the field and prevents the kick. The competition committee decides that the penalty must play the following Sunday, in the same goal, with same players and the field closed to the public. El Penalti más largo del mundo, (The Longest Penalty Shot in the World) is exactly the history of that week of delay.
The film earned $5.1M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Longest Penalty Shot in the World (2005) demonstrates meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Roberto Santiago's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 40 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young protagonist is introduced in his ordinary world with his family, showing his passion for soccer and his relationship with his parents before everything changes.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Family crisis occurs - parents' relationship deteriorates or separation begins, disrupting the protagonist's stable world and sense of security.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to The protagonist makes the active choice to attempt "the longest penalty shot in the world" as a way to fix his family problems or cope with the situation., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: the family situation worsens or the soccer challenge seems truly impossible. Stakes are raised and the protagonist realizes the task is harder than imagined., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost moment: the penalty shot fails, the family situation reaches its lowest point, or the protagonist loses hope that his efforts can change anything., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Breakthrough realization: the protagonist understands the true meaning of his journey - it wasn't about succeeding at the impossible shot but about perseverance, acceptance, or emotional growth., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Longest Penalty Shot in the World's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Longest Penalty Shot in the World against these established plot points, we can identify how Roberto Santiago utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Longest Penalty Shot in the World within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young protagonist is introduced in his ordinary world with his family, showing his passion for soccer and his relationship with his parents before everything changes.
Theme
A character discusses the importance of perseverance and not giving up, even when the goal seems impossibly far away - foreshadowing the film's central metaphor.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the boy's world: his soccer team, school life, family dynamics, and dreams of becoming a great player. We see the normalcy before disruption.
Disruption
Family crisis occurs - parents' relationship deteriorates or separation begins, disrupting the protagonist's stable world and sense of security.
Resistance
The boy struggles with how to respond to the family crisis. He resists accepting the new reality, debates what he can do, and begins to formulate his plan involving soccer.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The protagonist makes the active choice to attempt "the longest penalty shot in the world" as a way to fix his family problems or cope with the situation.
Mirror World
Introduction of a key relationship - possibly a friend, coach, or family member who represents the thematic counterpoint and helps carry the emotional journey.
Premise
The boy pursues his impossible soccer goal, training and preparing for the longest penalty shot. This section delivers on the premise - a child's magical thinking meets determination.
Midpoint
False defeat: the family situation worsens or the soccer challenge seems truly impossible. Stakes are raised and the protagonist realizes the task is harder than imagined.
Opposition
Obstacles mount as the protagonist faces increasing challenges in both his soccer quest and family situation. External and internal pressures intensify.
Collapse
All is lost moment: the penalty shot fails, the family situation reaches its lowest point, or the protagonist loses hope that his efforts can change anything.
Crisis
Dark night of the soul where the young protagonist processes his failure and grief, confronting the reality that some things cannot be fixed by a child's determination alone.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Breakthrough realization: the protagonist understands the true meaning of his journey - it wasn't about succeeding at the impossible shot but about perseverance, acceptance, or emotional growth.
Synthesis
The finale where the protagonist applies his new understanding, makes peace with the family situation, and demonstrates his emotional growth through action.
Transformation
Final image showing the transformed protagonist - still passionate about soccer but now emotionally matured, having learned to cope with life's challenges with resilience.