Pascal Zuberbühler
The unflappable Swiss goalkeeper whose historic penalty-saving prowess helped his nation achieve an unprecedented World Cup record in 2006.
Born 1971 (age 55)·Swiss footballer·Birthday: January 8·Generation X
Biography
Pascal Zuberbühler carved out a long career between the posts defined by calm authority and a knack for the dramatic moment. After establishing himself as a reliable number one in the Swiss Super League, he ventured abroad to the Bundesliga and later the English Premier League. His international career, however, is where he secured his place in football lore. As Switzerland's starting goalkeeper in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Zuberbühler led a defense that did not concede a single goal in open play throughout the entire tournament. Most remarkably, he kept a clean sheet through 390 minutes of football, including a penalty shootout against Ukraine where he became the first goalkeeper to save two penalties in a World Cup shootout without letting in a goal from the spot. That steely performance cemented his reputation as a tournament specialist and a national team icon.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Pascal was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Pascal Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Pascal's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 40
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 50
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 55 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played every minute for Switzerland in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, keeping a clean sheet for 390 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal in open play.
- Became the first goalkeeper to save two penalties in a World Cup shootout without conceding any during the 2006 round of 16 match against Ukraine.
- Earned 51 caps for the Swiss national team over a decade-long international career.
- Won the Swiss Super League title with Grasshopper Club Zürich in the 2000-01 season.
Did You Know?
He played for West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League during the 2006-07 season.
His nickname among fans and teammates is 'Zubi'.
After retiring, he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the Swiss national team and FC Basel.
“A clean sheet is a goalkeeper's signature.”
