Penalty shootouts are the ultimate football fight or flight moment and the most tense and daring situations that often decide some of the biggest games in the sport.

It has broken many a player, with some of the very best of all time falling on the biggest stages; take Roberto Baggio in the 1994 World Cup, Kylian Mbappé at Euro 2020 or even Lionel Messi himself at the Copa América as prime examples. At that moment, it doesn’t matter if you’re a global superstar or a fringe squad player from a lower-ranked country, anything is possible.

Yet, there are tips, tricks and methods to follow to ensure you have the best chance of succeeding. There’s only so much an individual or team can do to prepare, and we’ve broken down the tips and myths surrounding penalty shootouts.

Practice – It Is Not a Lottery

REUTERS/Molly Darlington

One phrase that is always partnered with a penalty shootout is the notion that it is a lottery. That suggests that, no matter your action, it is out of your hands, and it has been a way of absolving players and managers of responsibility.

England went from losing six of seven shootouts from 1990 to 2012 but under Gareth Southgate‘s era in charge, the application of psychologists and intense practice resulted in three wins from four. Coincidence?

Speaking after their win over Switzerland at Euro 2024, Southgate said:

Pick a Corner and Stick

A classic trope of penalties and something which coaches tell young players as kids is ‘pick a corner and stick to it, don’t change your mind’.

One thing that seems to plague the modern game is the jolted and stuttering techniques that seem to overcomplicate the entire process. From the outside, it looks like they are analyzing where to go in the moment, waiting for the keeper to move first, meaning they aren’t in control of the situation.

The opposite of this is someone like Alan Shearer, who was famous for a clean run-up and a powerful strike into either corner, not changing his mind and meaning the onus is on the keeper to make a remarkable save, which is hugely difficult.

Prioritise and Use Subs If Necessary

Managers often have a difficult decision to make in games that go the full 120 minutes. As time ticks on, they also start to consider which players on the substitute bench are more suited to a shootout.

Some players are brought on late due to the fact that they are penalty takers. Their role is to come on and score in the shootout, which brings its own pressure.

We’ve even seen keepers substituted on at the death who are known for saving penalties. Take Tim Krul at the 2014 World Cup, subbed on by Louis Van Gaal before he subsequently went onto save two spot-kicks and put his side through.

Have a System

A buddy system can help a team process these difficult situations. England, for example, have a buddy system that assigns each taker a designated teammate to meet them on the halfway line after their kick, win or miss, ensuring no player absorbed the noise of a stadium or the silence of a miss alone. It was brought in by Gareth Southgate – who knows penalty heartache well – and maintained by his successor Thomas Tuchel.

Other teams have replicated training conditions as closely as possible. That allows practicing in front of crowds and using the specific stadium where the shootout will take place. The goal is to try to recreate the situation with as much pressure as possible. That will go some way in preparing them for the real thing.

Does Order Matter?

REUTERS/Raquel Cunha via Action Images

One area where teams can give themselves the best chance of success is with their order. A crucial element is ensuring that the best players are involved from the very start.

Typically, the fifth penalty is the one that clinches most shootouts and, for a time, teams held back their star man to take on that giant responsibility. However, there are plenty of examples where that player misses out because the shootout is already over. Whoever remains on the pitch after 120 minutes, the best takers should go from one to five to give the team the best shot at glory.

Don’t let shootout defeats fester

The best example of an institutional shootout struggle is England from the 1990 World Cup which dragged on for over two decades.

England fans had little to no hope every time they were forced into a shootout, and it felt like that spread to the players. As mentioned, Southgate’s era looked to reverse that with positivity, practice and psychology.

Even a defeat to Italy at Euro 2020 on penalties didn’t result in a spiral, when once upon a time it would have.

Related

Arsenal may be able to land Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for a relatively cut-price this summer, according to journalist Lee Ryder.

Guimaraes caught the eye once again for Newcastle last season, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists in 41 appearances across all competitions. This impressive campaign has prompted the Gunners to explore the possibility of signing the Brazilian, with some reports suggesting a market opportunity could be on the cards due to the player’s contractual situation and the Magpies’ failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Newcastle are said to be fearful of losing Guimaraes, whose agent met with super agent Kia Joorabchian recently, possibly to discuss a blockbuster move.

Clarity on the potential fee Arsenal would need to stump up for the 28-year-old has now been provided in an intriguing transfer update.

Arsenal Could Sign Guimaraes for Just £65m

via Reuters

Arsenal are in the market for a new central midfielder after Martin Zubimendi struggled in the back half of last season, while Myles Lewis-Skelly’s stint in the middle of the park wasn’t quite long enough to bank on.

While Alex Scott and Ayyoub Bouaddi have been heavily linked, Guimaraes has emerged as the most likely candidate in recent days.

Newcastle correspondent Lee Ryder told Arsenal journalist Tom Canton that an offer of £65 million could get a deal for the former Lyon man in motion.

“We are told that £65m could be the tipping point… it could be some type of verbal agreement between Bruno and his people,” Ryder said.

“If Arsenal turn that into an official bid, then the wheels might start moving.”

Newcastle paid £40 million for Guimaraes back in 2022, and they’d likely have hoped for a more substantial profit than £25 million in the scenario that they sold their talismanic number eight.

However, the Tynesiders have lost leverage by not securing European qualification, and by allowing the player’s contract to run into its final 24 months.

Sandro Tonali’s Tottenham Move Could Complicate Bruno Guimaraes Deal

via Reuters

Newcastle are facing something of a mass exodus of their best players this summer. Antony Gordon joined Barcelona last month, while Sandro Tonali is on the verge of completing a £100 million switch to Tottenham Hotspur.

Tonali’s exit in particular is likely to impact Guimaraes’ prospective move. Newcastle will surely be reluctant to sanction the departure of their two best midfielders in the same window.

The windfall from generating around £170 million for the Italian and Gordon also means that the Magpies won’t exactly be strapped for cash. They have little reason to accept a slightly underwhelming offer for Guimaraes, beyond the threat of losing him for free in two years’ time.

In fact, some reports suggest that Newcastle are prepared to offer their captain a bumper new contract to fend off Arsenal’s interest, despite these reports that indicate a move could be on the cards.

At 17, Mexico‘s Gilberto Mora is the youngest player at this year’s World Cup, but he isn’t here to just make up the numbers — he stunned in his country’s victory over Ecuador.

The Round of 32 victory against La Tri was another landmark in the youngster’s early career, as the attacking midfielder was already reaching double figures for his country whilst starting his second game of the tournament.

Naturally, he has become something of a breakout star. Social media is awash with praise for the Club Tijuana star, who is likely to attract transfer interest in the near future.

However, a deal won’t be straightforward. Given he is the second-youngest ever player to start a knockout match at a World Cup and is attracting concrete transfer interest, now is a good time to get the record straight.

Why a transfer move for Gilberto Mora will have to wait

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Despite his infancy in senior professional football, Mora has already recorded 53 appearances for Club Tijuana, and he is regarded as the country’s brightest emerging talent.

With 10 goals and two assists across those appearances, there’s no doubting the early pedigree he has built which is fueling his current reputation. He was recently awarded the number 10 shirt and given a contract until 2029. For the youngest goalscorer in Liga MX history – a feat he managed aged 15 – it is certainly deserved.

Due to his age, he isn’t legally allowed to complete a transfer deal until he turns 18, which doesn’t occur until October 14, 2026. These are the official restrictions put in place by FIFA that have stood since 2001. Although his recent contract stipulates a release clause north of €20 million, a number that will be highly attractive to European clubs.

Given his showings for Mexico across the past month, it is clear he needs to continue on his path of regular football. Even after the World Cup, returning to Tijuana, his reputation and standing will have increased, and managing that with first-team football will be a fundamental part of his development before his inevitable move halfway across the world in the future.

Possible transfer destinations

REUTERS/Raquel Cunha via Action Images

Clubs are able to agree a deal with the release clause prior to Mora turning 18. He would just have to remain at his club until then officially joining. In the past, the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid have done this, allowing the player to continue featuring for their club or even securing loans to other clubs.

Mora could follow the likes of Endrick, Vinícius Júnior and Estêvão Willian and make a move to Europe’s top five leagues. Already linked with a move are Manchester United, Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City and his recent performances will have only reaffirmed their interest.

Any deal will make Mora the most expensive outgoing transfer in Liga MX history, eclipsing both Edson Alvarez and Enner Valencia, who left for Ajax and West Ham United respectively.

Mora may well get the chance to continue to shine on the world’s biggest stage as Mexico looks to ride the crest of a wave, with Europe’s elite casting a watchful eye on a rising star.