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.
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:
“We refined that process a little bit. We have more regular penalty-takers in the squad than we had in 2021 and more that have been in shootouts.”
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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From Brazil’s golden generation to Croatia’s perfect record and Argentina’s dominant history, these teams have mastered the art of penalty shootouts in the World Cup.
Attacking reinforcements are needed at Liverpool ahead of the 2026/27 season as they look to right the wrongs of the previous campaign.
The favourites to win the Premier League last summer after splashing the cash in the weeks after their title triumph, the Reds endured a dismal year and finished the season in fifth under Arne Slot.
The team’s struggles ultimately resulted in the Dutchman losing his job, with Andoni Iraola the man to come in and replace him following his incredible work at Bournemouth.
Much more will be expected this season of Liverpool, who have so far signed defender Jeremy Jacquet and winger Victor Munoz.
Liverpool have the small matter of trying to replace club legend Mohamed Salah and Reds fans are hoping that another attacking signing arrives ahead of the new term.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are “really, really keen’ on French international Bradley Barcola as they get their plans in place for the new season.
The 23-year-old has made quite a name for himself in the French capital since moving from Lyon in 2023, notably helping Luis Enrique’s side win back-to-back Champions League titles after such a long wait for Europe’s top prize.
Competing with the wealth of attacking options at Enrique’s disposal, Barcola contributed 13 goals in all competitions last season, but there has been some speculation regarding a potential move away from the Parc des Princes, especially with Yan Diomande a potential incoming.
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Speaking on the HereWeGo podcast, Romano opened up on Barcola’s future and mentioned both Liverpool and Arsenal when discussing the youngster, who could command a transfer fee of over £116m.
He said: “I’m not going to say Barcola is not for sale at the end of June because I think there is still the possibility to see some movement, with Liverpool really interested, with Barcola also on Arsenal’s list. But Liverpool are really, really keen on the player.”
Barcola’s 2025/26 season could get even better if France go all the way and win the World Cup final later this month.
Already getting his hands on five trophies this season with his club side, France are the current favourites to lift the famous trophy in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19.
Didier Deschamps has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal in terms of his attack, with Barcola so far rotating with club teammate Desire Doue in France’s fearsome front four.
Barcola has managed to chip in with two goals this tournament, including one last time out against Sweden in the Round of 32, and you wouldn’t bet against him adding to his tally with Les Bleus expected to reach the final.
The former Lyon man would give Liverpool a noticeable upgrade in the left-wing position if he signed, helping the club to finally replace Luis Diaz following his move to Bayern Munich last summer.
As any England fan will tell you, the men’s national team never like to do things the easy way. Sometimes that presents itself as a last-gasp winner. But sometimes that comes in the form of a few disciplinary detours.
Whether it stems from geographical proximity or a controversial chapter in a major tournament, England’s tapestry of fierce rivals is an intriguing one to unpick. But who are the biggest sporting enemies on The Three Lions’ list?
This rivalry goes beyond football. The historical ties from the two World Wars of the 20th century have informed this great feud, with their incredible clashes creating some of the most memorable footballing moments in recent times. Who could forget the drama of England’s 1966 World Cup Final win at the expense of Germany? But the Germans inflicted their own heartbreak at the 1990 World Cup and Euro ’96, eliminating England on penalties at the semifinal stage on both occasions.
More recently, England fans still fondly remember the 1-5 thumping in Munich. But they also wince at the thought of Frank Lampard’s ghost goal in 2010.
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England’s record against Germany |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
|
35 |
14 |
6 |
15 |
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Driven by the Falklands War in 1982, Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup ensured that this rivalry would last.
It would be reignited at the 1998 tournament, with David Beckham controversially being sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone before England crashed out on penalties. Beckham would have his revenge though. His winning penalty in the 2002 World Cup encounter helped to condemn Albiceleste to a shock group stage exit.
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England’s record against Argentina |
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Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
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14 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
The oldest international fixture in world football, England and Scotland’s rivalry began on November 30th 1872 with a 0-0 draw. Since then, there have been many memorable episodes.
The rivalry was renewed every year by the annual British Home Championship that took place from 1884 to 1984. There was also the incredible spectacle of Scotland victory at Hampden Park in 1937. Just under 150,000 fans packed into the stadium for the match — an all-time European attendance record that still stands today. And who could forget the 1977 Wembley pitch invasion after Scotland’s 2-1 win? The Tartan Army stormed on, famously snapping the crossbars in celebration.
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England’s record against Scotland |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
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116 |
49 |
41 |
26 |
Despite just 18 encounters overall, the England-Ireland rivalry has endured in part thanks to the two nations’ complex social and political relationship.
Ireland made history in 1949 with their 0-2 win at Goodison Park. They became the first non-British team to beat England on home soil. Ireland also won the first major tournament meeting between the two, courtesy of a Ray Houghton winner at Euro ’88. The rivalry is also infamously remembered for the 1995 Lansdowne Road riot that saw a friendly in Dublin abandoned after 27 minutes due to severe rioting by a number of English hooligans.
The rivalry was recently renewed by the debate over dual nationality. Both Declan Rice and Jack Grealish switched eligibility to England, having already represented Ireland. Grealish had played for the U21s six times, whilst Rice made three senior appearances for Ireland. Both players were heavily booed during the 2024 Nations League clash before both ironically scored the game’s only two goals.
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England’s record against Ireland |
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Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
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19 |
8 |
8 |
2 |
Not quite a bitter rivalry, but one forged in destiny. England, for some reason, are inexplicably linked to the south-east European side. And whilst the two nations lack historical hatred, their respectful rivalry is marked by several dramatic modern moments.
Chief among them, England’s 2018 World Cup heartbreak. After Kieran Trippier’s opening goal in the semifinal, Croatia fought back to force extra time. Mario Mandzukic’s 109th minute winner was ecstasy for Croatia, but agony for the Three Lions.
Croatia also shockingly knocked ended England’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. With England needing a win to break into the top two in Group E, the excellent Croatian team defeated England 2-3 at Wembley. The enduring image of that night was England manager Steve McLaren shielding himself with an umbrella as European qualification slipped away. He was relieved of his duties the following day.
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England’s record against Croatia |
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Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
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12 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
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Pubs across the country are set to stay open until the early hours for England’s Round of 16 match against Mexico. The World Cup knockout kicks-off at 1am on Monday, July 6, which equates to 6pm in Mexico City, and Keir Starmer is set to introduce an emergency law change so that pubs can remain open until 5am.
The UK Prime Minister is set to leave his position on July 9, but has won back some people’s trust following one of his final decisions in Number 10.
More to follow…
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