Very few moments in football carry the same pressure as a World Cup penalty shootout. After 120 minutes of action, an entire nation’s hopes can come down to just a handful of kicks from 12 yards out — creating some of the sport’s most beautiful memories and most painful scars.

Since penalty shootouts were introduced at the 1978 World Cup, 37 knockout matches have been decided by way of spot-kicks, with just three World Cup finals finishing with the so-called lottery that is penalties. Over that team, some teams have gained a reputation for being ruthless under pressure, whilst others have made a habit of succumbing to the occasion.

But which nations have been the most successful when matches have gone all the way to penalties?

Brazil — 3 Wins

With legends like Romario, Ronaldo Nazário and Rivaldo, it’s not hard to see how ‘A Seleção’ have won three out of their five total World Cup penalty shootouts. Their first win came in the final of the 1994 World Cup in the USA, after Daniele Massaro and Roberto Baggio missed both of Italy’s last two penalties to hand the win to Brazil, with the game finishing 0-0 after 120 minutes. And just four years later, it was through penalties in which they would secure their place in the final, after their match against the Netherlands ended 1-1 after extra time. Brazil netted all four of their penalties before Ronald de Boer missed the decisive kick.

Their most recent penalty victory came in the round of 16 at their home tournament in 2014, where, despite Willian and Hulk missing two of Brazil’s penalties, they still won after Chile could only convert twice from the spot.

Germany — 4 wins

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*Including West Germany and Germany

The Germans took part in two of the first three penalty shootouts to ever happen at a World Cup, and won them both. After no games at the 1978 tournament required the use of penalties, West Germany’s 3-3 result against France in the semi-final of the 1982 World Cup, which features in our top 10 greatest matches in World Cup history, forced the first ever World Cup penalty shootout. And with both teams level with four penalties each, Maxime Bossis’ miss in sudden death set-up West Germany’s Horst Hrubesch to send his nation to the final.

Just four years later, West Germany whitewashed Mexico in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, before dumping England out of Italia ’90 four years later. Their most recent success through penalties came at their home tournament in 2006, when conversions from Michael Ballack and Lukas Podolski saw them edge past Argentina.

Croatia — 4 wins

Whilst Croatia’s inclusion in this list may surprise some, they have won the most World Cup penalty shootouts without ever losing. What’s even stranger, is that all four wins came across just two consecutive tournaments. Their knockout journey at the 2018 World Cup in Russia started with a 3-2 victory on penalties over Denmark, before beating the hosts, who themselves had knocked Spain out of the tournament the round prior, with four penalties to Russia’s three.

Fast-forward to the very next tournament in Qatar, and they produced an almost identical run through the first two stages of the knockouts. Japan converted just once as Croatia sailed through to a quarter-final meeting with Brazil, during which missed spot-kicks by Rodrygo and Marquinhos ensured Croatia’s flawless shootout run remained intact.

Argentina — 6 wins

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It makes sense that the team who have participated in the most World Cup penalty shootouts have also won the most. But the more shocking stat is that they have only lost one out of seven, an astonishing 85 per cent win rate. Their first two penalty shootouts came at the 1990 World Cup, where they defeated Yugoslavia in the quarter-finals, before bypassing hosts Italy in the semi-final.

In 1998, Hernán Crespo’s missed effort was canceled out by Paul Ince and David Batty after the pair failed to score two of England’s penalties, sending Argentina through to the quarter-finals. Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso were unfortunate enough to hand their nation its sole defeat after missing against Germany in 2006 before they returned to penalty glory in 2014 with their 4-2 win over the Netherlands.

Argentina’s final two shootout triumphs came on their way to World Cup glory in 2022. After their quarter-final tie with the Netherlands finished 2-2, the South American side managed to outscore their European counterparts 4-2 from the spot. And then, after one of the most thrilling World Cup finals in recent memory, Argentina prevailed under the most crushing of pressure, netting all four of their penalties to, once again, crown them as the champions of the world.

World Cup Penalty Shootout Team Stats

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Argentina have comfortably the best penalty shootout record in World Cup history, followed by Germany and Croatia, while Brazil’s record is somewhat mixed. Following that cohort, France have won two and lost three shootouts in the World Cup, with Paraguay and Morocco each winning their two respective shootouts.

Despite being renowned for their technical ability, Spain and the Netherlands have a disappointing record in World Cup penalty shootouts, with each team registering just one victory in five spot-kick deciders. England have a poor record in World Cup shootouts too, with just one win in four – which came in 2018 against Colombia. The Three Lions’ record is the same as Italy’s, though the Azzurri’s sole victory came in the 2006 final and clinched the trophy.

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on a deal to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali after he rejected a move to Manchester City.

Tottenham already delivered a huge bombshell on Tuesday evening when it was confirmed that they are set to beat Manchester United to the signing of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with a £85m agreement reached between the two clubs.

However, Spurs look set to break their transfer record again for the second time this week as they also close in on a big-money deal to prise Tonali away from St James’ Park.

Should the Fernandes deal be completed, then Tonali would be their sixth signing of the summer after moves were also completed for Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Martin Dubravka.

Having secured three of those players on free transfers, Spurs chiefs are now flexing their financial muscle with other additions, and they are far from finished even if the Fernandes and Tonali deals do get over the line.

Attentions could turn to strengthening their attack next, with one suggestion that they could also look to add two new wingers and a centre-forward to the squad, should one of Richarlison or Dominic Solanke depart.

Tottenham Deal to Sign Sandro Tonali Imminent

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According to a top Tottenham source on X, Spurs are now closing in on the addition of Tonali in a deal that will send shockwaves across the Premier League.

Manchester City may already be on the verge of landing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £115m upfront, but they also want to land a second central midfielder and had interest in Tonali.

However, it is reported that the Italy international has rejected joining the Premier League runners-up in favour of linking up with De Zerbi at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as they look to bounce back from successive 17th-place finishes.

Manchester United have made West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville a leading transfer target following their failed bid to sign his teammate Mateus Fernandes, with Sky Sports issuing an update on the situation.

Man United may have got an early summer deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson over the line, with a move expected to be completed this month when the Brazilian returns from the World Cup, but their incoming business has slowed down since.

Red Devils chiefs had been working on a deal to bring Fernandes to Old Trafford after Manchester City won the race to sign their number one midfield target Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, and there appeared to be confidence that a deal would eventually get done despite the Hammers’ £85m valuation of the Portugal international.

However, Tottenham joined the race to sign the 21-year-old and it was confirmed on Tuesday that they had agreed a £85m fee with their London neighbours for the midfielder, that will see him move across the capital.

United were unwilling to match the fee Spurs offered, even though the player had shown a willingness to move to Old Trafford.

Now, they must start working on their Plan B option, while they are still keen to strengthen other areas of the pitch, such as on the wing.

Sky Sports: Summerville is Top Left Wing Target for United

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According to Sky Sports, Summerville is emerging as a leading left-winger target for United as they continue their plans to strengthen their squad ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.

While the report says that the Red Devils’ focus remains on bolstering their midfield following the exit of Casemiro and injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte for Uruguay at the World Cup, Summerville is also firmly on their radar.

The future of the Dutchman is set to come under the spotlight following the Netherlands’ exit from the World Cup against Morocco, which saw Ronald Koeman resign as manager on Tuesday.

As things stand, the 24-year-old, who impressed with two goals and two assists for his country in North America, will be playing in the Championship next season with West Ham, but that is unlikely to remain the case.

Sky Sports claim that United are just one of a number of players interested in the ‘elite’ £50m-rated forward.

Rashford Could Green Light Summerville Move

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The report adds that any potential move for Summerville will likely depend on what happens to Marcus Rashford.

Following a successful loan spell with Barcelona last season, it would have been expected that they would exercise their £26m buy option and bring the England international to the Camp Nou on a permanent basis.

However, the La Liga champions didn’t do that and signed Rashford’s Three Lions teammate Anthony Gordon for £70m instead, leaving him in limbo at Old Trafford.

Barca are said to be keen on another temporary move for the 28-year-old, but United are only willing to agree a permanent deal as they look to offload his big wages once and for all.