ENGLAND have not had the best time during World Cup penalty shootouts.
In fact, the Three Lions have only won one out of four penalty shootouts in the World Cup.
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England players can look at historical data to know how to win a World Cup shootout Credit: Getty
England stars have historically had more success on one side of the goal than the other Credit: Getty
The first heartbreak came all the way back in 1990 against Germany in the semi-finals, with Chris Waddle’s infamous blaze over the bar still fresh in the minds of many fans.
That disappointment was repeated eight years later in the Last 16 against Argentina, while 2006 against Portugal in the quarter-finals proved to be the same result.
However, that penalty jinx was finally broken by Gareth Southgate as England scored victory over Colombia in the Last 16 of the 2018 World Cup.
England are once again back in the knockouts of the World Cup, where their fate could be decided from the penalty spot.
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How England could line up for World Cup clash vs DR Congo with two changes
Tonight Thomas Tuchel leads the team in the Round of 32 match against DR Congo, knowing that penalties may be the difference between England progressing or going home.
In preparation for that scenario, England staff will have been prepping players on where to pick their spots.
And based on historical data of England’s shootout penalties at the World Cup, stars know where they are likely to have the most success.
Out of the 19 shootout kicks taken across those four World Cup shootouts, only 11 have been scored.
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Opta data shows England players have scored all but one of those efforts by going to the goalkeeper’s right.
The one anomaly in the data is Peter Beardsley’s shot to the goalie’s left in 1990 against Germany.
However, the data is skewed as only five of the kicks have been aimed towards the left of the ‘keeper.
One penalty was struck down the middle, which was saved, while only one has been off target completely – the aforementioned Waddle effort which ballooned into the stands.
England penalty shootout record at the World Cup
England’s only World Cup shootout win was in 2018 under Gareth SouthgateCredit: Refer to source
England have fared far better in their recent shootout history than before when also considering the European championships and Nations League.
As well as Colombia, England beat Switzerland in the third place play-off Nations League final and then beat the Swiss again in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
But the one that hurts more than any other is England’s loss to Italy in the final of the Covid-hit Euro 2020 campaign.
Still, three wins in their last four shootouts gives reason for optimism should the dreaded scenario rear its head once again.
Tuchel is expected to make two changes to the England starting XI that beat Panama 2-0 for the clash against the Leopards.
The injured Jarrell Quansah and Morgan Rogers are set to come out of the team in favour of Djed Spence and Declan Rice.
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IT’S A KNOCKOUT
The knockout stages of the World Cup are here, with many big sides still in the hunt for global glory.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is hoping to finally bring football home after a 60-year drought for the nation.
Powerhouse nations like France, Spain, Brazil and Argentina are all serious contenders for the biggest prize in sport.
However, heavyweights Germany and Netherlands have both been knocked out on penalties in the last-32!
Football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are showing no signs of slowing down, on what looks to be the pair’s final World Cup.
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