The World Cup this year has already seen four penalty shootouts, with Croatia progressing from both the round of 16 and the quarter finals on spot kicks, but which country has the best record from 12 yards in World Cup history?
With 4 penalty shootout wins at World Cups, we take a look at where Croatia rank in the world and who has the best shootout record at the tournament.
5. France
This years semi finalists and current world champions France are ranked fifth in the world at penalty shootouts, with a record of 2/4 in past tournaments. The French managed to win both of their first two shootouts at World Cups, as they beat Brazil in the 1986 quarter final and then against Italy in 1998.
More recent tournaments haven’t been so kind to Les Bleus however, as they have failed to win a shootout since beating Italy in 1998. When it mattered most France came up short, as they infamously lost the 2006 World Cup final on penalties to Italy.
France’s other loss in a penalty shootout came in 1982 to West Germany, when they were knocked out at the semi-final stage of the tournament.
With this years semi final and the potential of a final yet to come, France may well be forced into improving their shootout record at the World Cup if they are to win this years edition.
4. Brazil
Despite being knocked out of this years tournament by Croatia on penalties, Brazil hold the fourth best record in shootouts over past editions of the World Cup having won three of the five shootouts they played in.
The three wins came in 1994, 1998, and 2008 respectively but the South American’s most impressive performance in a shootout was certainly the one that won them the World Cup in 1994. Brazil managed a 3-2 victory over Italy in the 94′ shootout, with Franco Baresi, Daniele Massaro and Roberto Baggio all missing crucial penalties to hand Brazil the crown.
The last shootout Brazil played in did not ended well for the 5 time World Cup winners, as they suffered a shock defeat to Croatia in Qatar this year as the search for title number six moves on to 2026.
3. Croatia
This years penalty shootout hero’s are number three on the list and Croatia not only have four wins in shootouts, they also boast a 100% record when going to penalties.
The first two times Croatia were taken all the way to penalties in a World Cup both came in the last tournament, as they knocked out both Denmark and the hosts Russia.
The final two wins for Croatia both came in Qatar this year, as they breezed past a tricky Japan side first in the round of 16, followed by a huge win against Brazil after dragging the South Americans to extra time with a 117th minute Bruno Petkovic equaliser.
With a potential repeat of the 2018 World Cup final on the horizon, Croatia may have to practice their penalties the coming days as we get to the business end of the tournament.
2. Germany
Germany are notoriously good at penalties however they only rank second on the list, as they are the only other team in the tip five to hold an unbeaten record when being taken to penalties.
Despite underperforming in more recent editions of the World Cup, Germany are undoubtedly one of the best countries in the world when it comes to spot kicks.
The Germans first displayed their talents from 12 yards in 1982 during the first ever World Cup shootout that came against France in the semi finals which Germany advanced from.
Germany’s other three wins on penalties came against Mexico in 1986 (quarter-final), England in 1990 (semi-final) and Argentina in 2006 (quarter-final), with the side becoming one of the most feared on the planet from the spot.
1. Argentina
Argentina may have lost one penalty shootout (to Germany in 2006) however they rank top of the list as the only team in the world to win five shootouts at the tournament.
The most iconic shootout involving the South Americans came in 2014 when they took on the Netherlands in the quarter final. Argentina edged past their Dutch opposition 4-2 with Wesley Sneijder and Ron Vlaar both failing to convert.
A repeat of the 2014 quarters came in Qatar this year, after Argentina were taken to penalties again thanks to a beautifully worked last minute Wout Weghorst goal. Argentina defeated the Dutch yet again this year, keeping the dream of a World Cup alive for Lionel Messi and co.
Argentina’s other three wins in shootouts came against Yugoslavia in 1990 (quarter-final), Italy in 1990 (semi-final) and England in 1998 (Round of 16).
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