England became the first side at the Women’s Euros to miss three successive penalties in a shootout and still go through.
The 36% conversion rate of spot-kicks in Zurich was the worst of any shootout in the competition’s history, lower than the 2017 semi-final between Denmark and Austria.
That shootout saw Denmark progress 3-0 on penalties – four of the seven spot-kicks were missed, including all three from the Austrians.
But for the worst shootout on a major European stage, there is only one answer: the 1986 European Cup final.
After a tedious goalless 120 minutes between Barcelona and Steaua Bucharest, the Romanians won 2-0 on penalties.
Of the eight spot-kicks, only 25% found the net. All four of Barca’s efforts were saved by Steaua keeper Helmuth Duckadam.
While the odd result of that shootout could be put down to goalkeeping brilliance, there are several examples which can be squarely chalked up to incompetence.
In February 2020, the Japanese Super Cup between Vissel Kobe and Yokohama Marinos ended 3-2 to Vissel – from 14 penalties taken, of which nine in a row were missed.
After both sides netted their opening two kicks, Yokohama – managed by one Ange Postecoglou – contrived to miss five in a row, while Vissel failed with four in succession before eventually putting everyone out of their misery.
Some BBC Sport research also digs up the 1985 Finnish Cup final, where Haka beat HJK 2-1 after the first seven penalties from both sides were missed, and the 1990 Copa Libertadores semi-final between Olimpia of Paraguay and Colombia’s Atletico Nacional.
Nacional keeper Rene Higuita – he of the big hair and scorpion kick – saved four penalties, but himself missed the crucial kick as he took on a similar role to Swedish stopper Jennifer Falk against England in 2025.
Falk made a Women’s Euros record four saves in the shootout but still ended up on the losing side, partly because she stepped up and missed her side’s potential match-winning fifth penalty.
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