How to win a World Cup penalty shootout

With the World Cup knockout stages approaching, the dreaded — and exhilarating — penalty shootout looms large. Since 1982, 35 shootouts have produced 320 penalties, offering a rich archive of pressure, technique, and fate. The 2022 tournament alone saw a record five shootouts, and with an expanded 2026 format, the drama is only set to rise. What patterns emerge from three decades of spot-kicks? And what lessons can teams carry into the next cycle?

Which nations master the art — and which crumble?

Argentina lead the way in shootout success, winning six of seven attempts, including the 2022 final. Their consistency under extreme pressure sets a benchmark: only one loss in shootouts speaks to tactical discipline and mental resilience. Germany and Croatia have also thrived, each winning all four of their shootouts, while Belgium, South Korea, and Paraguay have scored every penalty they’ve taken in shootouts — five out of five each.

At the other end, Spain now hold the unwanted record after missing all three kicks in their 2022 last-16 loss to Morocco, taking their total misses to nine — surpassing England’s previous high of eight. Switzerland, meanwhile, have missed all three penalties they’ve taken in shootouts. These extremes reveal how shootouts can define eras: one misstep can erase years of progress.

The players who turn ice into fire

Only two players have scored in three different World Cup shootouts: Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Croatia’s Luka Modric, both with perfect records. Their presence alone changes the psychological landscape of a shootout. Messi’s ice-cold conversion in the 2022 final underscored how elite composure can shift momentum.

Among goalkeepers, Croatia’s goalkeeping lineage shines. Danijel Subasic saved four penalties in 2018, and Dominik Livakovic matched that tally in 2022. West Germany’s Harald Schumacher and Argentina’s Sergio Goycochea also saved four each across multiple shootouts. Ricardo, Portugal’s former goalkeeper, tops the save-rate chart with 75% from just four faced — a reminder that even small sample sizes can reveal mastery under pressure.

The psychology behind the kick

Shootouts are less about luck and more about preparation. Teams that treat each penalty as a rehearsed sequence — from approach to follow-through — reduce cognitive load when the stakes are highest. The data suggests that nations with structured routines, clear role assignments, and mental conditioning gain a measurable edge. Argentina’s shootout success, for instance, reflects a system that values repetition and accountability over individual flair.

Yet the numbers also show that even the best can falter. Roberto Baggio’s missed kick in the 1994 final remains a cautionary tale: two successful penalties do not guarantee survival when the final outcome hinges on a single moment.

As the World Cup expands, so too will the opportunities for shootouts. The 2026 format introduces a last-32 round, increasing the likelihood of tiebreaks. Teams that study the past — the patterns of success, the psychology of the kicker, the reflexes of the goalkeeper — will be best placed to navigate the crucible of the shootout. Argentina’s rise, Spain’s stumble, and Croatia’s consistency offer a roadmap: discipline over drama, preparation over panic. In the end, the shootout is not a lottery — it is a test, and the best teams have already passed it.