Crossword Genius

Penalty shootout's first save essentially lacking skill (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

finesse

'skill' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'penalty shootout's first save essentially lacking' is the wordplay.
'penalty' becomes 'fine' (a financial penalty).
'shootout's first' becomes 's' (1st letter of 'shootout').
'essentially lacking' suggests removing the centre.
'save' with its centre removed is 'se'.
'fine'+'s'+'se'='FINESSE'

(Other definitions for finesse that I've seen before include "Impressive skill and delicacy" , "Achieve with subtlety and skill" , "Artful management" , "Sophistication" , "subtle tactic" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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