Penalty shootouts are soccer’s most brutal tests. What are the best strategies for attackers, goalkeepers and coaches?
- Written by: Weekend Times
The crowd roars in nervous anticipation. Nearly 90,000 fans pack the stadium, while 1.5 billion watch around the world. We could be talking about Germany’s (or Netherlands’) shock elimination from this year’s
World Cup…
But it’s 2022, Qatar: the World Cup final. Despite an incredible hat-trick from France’s Kylian Mbappé and two goals from Argentina’s Lionel Messi, the match ends in a draw.
The world champion will be decided by penalty shoot-out. When a match goes to a penalty shootout, coaches face two decisions that can determine whether their team progresses or goes home: which five players should take the penalties, and in what order?
Our new research might help answer both questions.
➡️ Read the interactive story here ⚽️
Robbie Wilson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
