Since France midfielder Alain Giresse struck the World Cup's first shootout penalty in 1982, a total of 342 players have stepped up to face the goalkeeper in the most nerve-wracking test in football. Penalty shootouts have provided many of the World Cup's most dramatic moments, from ecstasy to agony.
The First Shootout: France vs West Germany, 1982
It all began on 8 July 1982 in the semi-final between France and West Germany. Alain Giresse sent goalkeeper Harald Schumacher the wrong way to score the very first penalty in a World Cup shootout. Giresse later said: 'It's no longer a matter for your legs or feet. It's your head.' West Germany's Uli Stielike was the sixth player to take a penalty and the first to miss, comforted by Schumacher after his spot-kick was saved by Jean-Luc Ettori. After Didier Six missed, the score was deadlocked at 4-4. Maxime Bossis stepped up but hit a weak shot easily saved by Schumacher. Horst Hrubesch scored next, and France were out.
Redemption and Heartbreak: 1986-1990
In the 1986 quarter-final, France eliminated a superb Brazil team containing Zico, Socrates, and Careca. Captain Michel Platini embraced Luis Fernandez after he scored the decisive penalty. In 1990, David O'Leary scored the decisive spot-kick to put the Republic of Ireland into their first World Cup quarter-final. Manager Jack Charlton later said: 'I didn't realise he was the last taker... I'm not the greatest believer in centre-backs taking penalties.' Also in 1990, Diego Maradona saw his poor effort easily saved by Tomislav Ivkovic, but Argentina prevailed 3-2 as Yugoslavia missed three times.
England's Agony and Italy's Tears: 1990-1994
In the 1990 semi-final, England faced West Germany. An earlier miss by Stuart Pearce left Bobby Robson's side no room for error, and Chris Waddle ballooned his penalty into the Turin night as England missed out on their first final since 1966. In the 1994 final between Brazil and Italy, Italy captain Franco Baresi fired the first penalty high over the bar. Roberto Baggio also sent his kick over, as Brazil celebrated their first World Cup since 1970. Baggio recalled: 'It affected me for years. I still dream about it. If I could erase a moment from my career, it would be that one.'
More Drama: 1998-2006
In 1998, England faced Argentina in a pulsating 2-2 draw. With the shootout at 4-3, David Batty saw his effort saved by Carlos Roa. Italy's Luigi Di Biagio watched in disbelief as his penalty hit the bar, condemning Italy to a shootout defeat. In the semi-final, Brazil prevailed 4-2 over the Netherlands. In 2002, Iker Casillas watched as Hong Myung-bo scored the decisive penalty for co-hosts South Korea. In 2006, Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated after scoring the decisive penalty as Portugal beat England. In the final, David Trezeguet smashed his effort against the bar, and Fabio Grosso buried the winning kick to give Italy their fourth World Cup.
Recent History: 2010-2026
In 2010, Ghana's Asamoah Gyan missed a last-minute penalty after Luis Suárez's handball, and Uruguay progressed. In 2014, Maxi Rodríguez scored the winning penalty for Argentina over the Netherlands. In 2018, England finally got the penalty monkey off their back as Eric Dier slotted home the final spot-kick against Colombia. In 2022, the Battle of Lusail featured 17 yellow cards and a red card, with Argentina goading their beaten opponents after Lautaro Martínez scored the winning spot-kick. In the final, Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty for Argentina, who lifted their third World Cup. In 2026, Germany's Nick Woltemade had his poor spot-kick saved in a shootout defeat to Paraguay. Australia's Harry Souttar saw his penalty sail over the bar in a loss to Egypt. Switzerland's Ruben Vargas slotted the winning penalty past Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas in Vancouver, becoming the most recent penalty-taker in a World Cup shootout.
Penalty shootouts continue to provide unforgettable moments of joy and despair, etching themselves into World Cup folklore.
