What Is The Most Extraordinary Penalty Shootout?

When shot historians of nan early look backmost complete nan strangest and astir bonzer punishment shootouts of each time, England's triumph complete Sweden astatine Euro 2025 will beryllium a prized artefact.

Of nan 14 penalties taken, 5 were scored, six were saved and 3 from nan Swedes were missed. When BBC pundit Ellen White described it arsenic "terrifying watching", she was spot connected – this was nan shot coach's type of The Exorcist.

Of course, shootouts are a scary imaginable for immoderate participant, pinch truthful overmuch connected nan statement and nan spectre of nonaccomplishment and embarrassment truthful present.

While nan story of penalties being a lottery has been dispelled successful nan era of shot coaching driven by information and psychology, you tin ne'er rather foretell what nan unit will do to a player, moreover astatine nan elite level.

As Alan Shearer memorably exclaimed arsenic England's men celebrated their shootout triumph complete Switzerland astatine Euro 2024: "Pressure is for tyres."

Inspired by nan Lionesses' chaotic triumph successful Zurich, present are immoderate of nan top moments erstwhile nan tyre exploded...

England became nan first broadside astatine nan Women's Euros to miss 3 successive penalties successful a shootout and still spell through.

The 36% conversion complaint of spot-kicks successful Zurich was nan worst of immoderate shootout successful nan competition's history, little than nan 2017 semi-final betwixt Denmark and Austria.

That shootout saw Denmark advancement 3-0 connected penalties – 4 of nan 7 spot-kicks were missed, including each 3 from nan Austrians.

But for nan worst shootout connected a awesome European stage, location is only 1 answer: nan 1986 European Cup final.

After a tedious goalless 120 minutes betwixt Barcelona and Steaua Bucharest, nan Romanians won 2-0 connected penalties.

Of nan 8 spot-kicks, only 25% recovered nan net. All 4 of Barca's efforts were saved by Steaua keeper Helmuth Duckadam.

While nan overseas consequence of that shootout could beryllium put down to goalkeeping brilliance, location are respective examples which tin beryllium squarely chalked up to incompetence.

In February 2020, nan Japanese Super Cup betwixt Vissel Kobe and Yokohama Marinos ended 3-2 to Vissel – from 14 penalties taken, of which 9 successful a statement were missed.

After some sides netted their opening 2 kicks, Yokohama – managed by 1 Ange Postecoglou – contrived to miss 5 successful a row, while Vissel grounded pinch 4 successful succession earlier yet putting everyone retired of their misery.

Some BBC Sport investigation besides digs up nan 1985 Finnish Cup final, wherever Haka hit HJK 2-1 aft nan first 7 penalties from some sides were missed, and nan 1990 Copa Libertadores semi-final betwixt Olimpia of Paraguay and Colombia's Atletico Nacional.

Nacional keeper Rene Higuita – he of nan large hairsbreadth and scorpion footwear – saved 4 penalties, but himself missed nan important footwear arsenic he took connected a akin domiciled to Swedish stopper Jennifer Falk against England successful 2025.

Falk made a Women's Euros grounds 4 saves successful nan shootout but still ended up connected nan losing side, partially because she stepped up and missed her side's imaginable match-winning 5th penalty.

Many shot fans emotion a punishment shootout. The drama, nan twists, nan imaginable glory. But sometimes they outstay their welcome.

The astir egregious illustration came successful nan 2023-24 promotion play-offs of nan Liga Alef, nan Israeli 3rd tier – of course. A full of 56 penalties were taken arsenic FC Dimona hit Shimshon Tel Aviv 23-22.

Dimona subordinate Guy Eini, who scored 3 penalties successful nan people of nan shootout, told Israeli media, external: "I've ne'er had thing for illustration this successful my career. We tried to bewitch each other."

The longest punishment shootout successful English master shot came conscionable past season, arsenic Aston Villa Under-21s hit Blackpool 18-17 successful nan Football League Trophy. The shootout saw 31 kicks scored successful succession – a world grounds – earlier nan 32nd was saved.

In world football, nan longest astatine a World Cup was group successful 2023 betwixt co-hosts Australia and France, pinch the Matildas winning 7-6 aft 20 penalties were taken successful total. I was there. It still haunts me.

Liverpool fans person fond memories of agelong shootouts, pinch 2 celebrated examples successful League Cup wins – 14-13 versus Middlesbrough successful 2014, and 11-10 against Chelsea successful nan 2022 final.

Manchester United supporters, meanwhile, will wince astatine nan thought of nan 2021 Europa League last – an 11-10 nonaccomplishment to Villarreal, pinch keeper David de Gea missing nan decisive effort.

And while nan men's nine play has only conscionable started, we already person a premier illustration from nan 2025-26 campaign. Hamrun Spartans of Malta defeated Lithuanian champions Zalgiris 11-10 successful their Champions League qualifier connected 15 July, 2 days earlier England and Sweden's duel.

As for nan strangest punishment shootout ever, location are a fewer candidates. Last play saw Atletico Madrid controversially penalised against Real Madrid successful nan Champions League, arsenic Julian Alvarez was ruled to person "double-touched" a punishment – contempt inconclusive evidence.

There is besides nan 2000 Africa Cup of Nations last betwixt Nigeria and Cameroon. Nigerian guardant Victor Ikpeba saw his effort bounce down disconnected nan barroom and intelligibly complete nan statement – but nan extremity was not given, and Cameroon won 4-3.

But this writer submits to you, Orlando City versus New York City FC successful nan 2020 Major League Soccer play-offs. Here's really we described it successful our study from November that year.

The shootout was poised astatine 4-3 to Orlando aft some sides had taken 4 penalties, erstwhile Orlando keeper Pedro Gallese thought he had sealed nan triumph for his broadside by redeeming Valentin Castellanos' penalty.

But nan video adjunct referee intervened and ruled Gallese was disconnected his line, and he was shown a 2nd yellowish card, having been booked for time-wasting successful other time.

Orlando brought connected substitute keeper Brian Rowe, but arsenic he stood connected nan goalline for nan retake nan referee indicated a substitution was not allowed and sent him backmost disconnected nan pitch.

Instead, Argentine defender Rodrigo Schlegel took nan gloves.

Castellanos scored astatine his 2nd effort to level things up and nan shootout went to abrupt decease erstwhile Orlando and erstwhile Manchester United guardant Nani's punishment was saved.

Both teams scored to make it 5-5 earlier Schlegel's heroics arsenic he saved Gudmundur Thorarinsson's effort - cue celebrations from Orlando players and unit who thought nan crippled was over, unaware nan shootout was still level.

Eventually Benji Michel scored to seal a 6-5 triumph - Orlando's first triumph successful nan play-offs.

Opta tweeted that location had been 21 minutes and 35 seconds betwixt nan first and past punishment attempts successful nan shootout.