Crossword Genius

The best penalties finish in net (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

finest

'the best' is the definition.
(the most excellent or fine)

'penalties finish in net' is the wordplay.
'penalties' becomes 'fines' (fine is a kind of penalty).
'finish in' indicates one should take the final letters.
The final letter of 'net' is 't'.
'fines'+'t'='FINEST'

(Other definitions for finest that I've seen before include "Most exquisite" , "Of the highest quality" , "Most delicate or topmost" , "A1" , "Infest with the best" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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