We are at the quarter-final stage of the 2022 World Cup and already, we have witnessed two dramatic penalty shootouts.

Croatia and Morocco triumphed over Japan and Spain respectively in the last 16, but both victories confirmed what we already knew: very few World Cup shootouts go the distance. There have only been two that have gone as far as 12 spot-kicks in tournament history: Germany’s (5-4) win over France in the 1982 semi-finals and Romania’s 5-4 victory over Sweden in the quarter-finals of USA 94.

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Argentina and Germany have the best penalty shootout records, having each won four. Germany have long been seen as the best from 12 yards, scoring 17 of their 18 shootout attempts (94.4 per cent on average), and the sides that have qualified for the quarter-finals in Qatar will take solace in their exit.

England, Italy, and Spain share the unwanted crown of the worst penalty shootout records, having each lost three. England are the most recognised as having an issue with spot kicks, however, after losing last year’s European Championship final to Italy in a shootout. They have the worst conversion rate at 57.9 per cent among historic semi-finalists, scoring just 19 of 30 attempts.

What about everybody else, you may ask?

Welcome to The Athletic’s tailor-made guide to every team’s penalty takers, goalkeepers, and country records…

Overall team records

Let’s get started, shall we?

Out of all countries in this weekend’s last eight, Argentina have been in the most shootouts — and they boast the highest conversion rate (77 per cent). Brazil follow shortly after with 75% win percentage and a 72% conversion rate from four shootouts. France only have a 50% win percentage despite a stronger penalty conversion rate of 75%. They convert but not at decisive moments.

Croatia, Portugal and Morocco record the highest win percentages at 100%, with the former having won all three shootouts they’ve faced, while Portugal and Morocco have only been in one each.

On the other side of the board, England have the worst record across four shootouts, winning only 25%  with a conversion rate of 58%. Not far behind come the Dutch with a win percentage of only 33%.

Overall penalty-taker records

Morocco found their way through to the quarter-finals with an excellent performance in their shootout victory over Spain — and that was without their specialist, Sofiane Boufal, who has a perfect conversion record for both club and country but had been substituted in the second half.

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They did, though, have Achram Hakimi to put the cherry on the cake with an impudent, decisive Panenka.

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Neymar has an even better record for Brazil than for his club Paris Saint-Germain, boasting a staggering 88% conversion rate.

While England may have one of the worst overall penalty shootout records in World Cup history, they also have one of the best individuals at their disposal in Harry Kane, who has an 84% conversion rate for both country and club.

France’s Kylian Mbappe only has a 75% conversion rate due to the small sample of penalties he has taken for France, but he is a killer from the spot, with an 82.6% success rate at club level.

Overall penalty-save records

Heading into the quarter-finals, the below table could become very useful. We have already seen two of the eight last-16 ties decided by penalty shootouts and it would not be a surprise to see games in the upcoming round have to be settled in the same manner.

As the table shows, of the eight remaining nations, Portugal statistically have the best penalty-stopper within their ranks.

Diogo Costa is phenomenal when it comes to making saves from 12 yards and, if called upon to make a big save from the spot, he is the most equipped to do so if the numbers are anything to go by.

Ranking behind him are Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic and Morocco’s Bono, who have both performed penalty-saving heroics in shootouts to help their nations through to the last eight.

Team records

One important thing to bear in mind about the data included is that in terms of penalty-takers, the percentages included do not include shootouts. For goalkeepers, the data does include shootouts.

Netherlands vs Argentina

Netherlands

Main penalty-taker:

The current penalty-taker for the Dutch is Memphis Depay, holding a 76.9% (10 out of 13) penalty conversion rate for country and a 75.9% (22 out of 29) rate at club level.

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Other penalty-takers:

• Steven Berghuis: 86.21% conversion rate (25 out of 29)
• Cody Gakpo: 75% conversion rate (3 out of 4)
• Luuk de Jong: 71.43% conversion rate (10 out of 14)
• Wout Weghorst: 65.83% conversion rate (17 out of 26)
• Davy Klaassen: 64.29% conversion rate (9 out of 14)

Goalkeeper:

Andries Noppert (16.67% career penalty-save percentage)

Noppert has been the man entrusted between the sticks for the Netherlands and he has only conceded two goals in his four starts during the World Cup. Having saved 16.67% of the six penalties he has faced in his career, he will be hoping his good form can hold up against Lionel Messi and Argentina today (Friday).

Argentina

Main penalty-taker:

It’s obviously Messi, even though he missed his most recent penalty, against Poland. And while Messi is the talisman for this Argentina team, with a penalty conversion rate of 78% for country (18 out of 23) and 78.5% (95 out of 121) for club, we can’t call him a penalty specialist.

Other penalty-takers:

Goalkeeper:

Emiliano Martinez (16.98%)

Argentina are a nation lucky enough to be able to count on a penalty-specialist in goal.

Aston Villa’s Martinez only made his international debut 18 months ago but has already become a key figure for the South American side, with his heroics in the penalty shootout win against Colombia helping his country win the 2021 Copa America.

The 30-year-old, who made three penalty saves that night, is yet to make a stop from 12 yards so far in this tournament and will be eager to break that duck if they go to a shootout.

England vs France

England

Main penalty-taker:

Harry Kane is the obvious taker for England, with a conversion rate of 84.2% (16 of 19) for country and 84.7% (39 of 46) for club.

Other penalty-takers:

Goalkeeper:

Jordan Pickford (17.81%)

England have experienced both despair and jubilation resulting from shootouts in recent years, and Everton keeper Pickford has been present for the majority of those moments.

With big saves in penalty shootouts in the 2018 World Cup against Colombia and during the Euro 2020 final against Italy, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that the 29-year-old will be expected to pull off a big save from 12 yards again.

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France

Main penalty-taker:

Kylian Mbappe is at the forefront for France, with a penalty conversion rate of 75% (3 out of 4) for country and 82.6% (19 out of 23) for club.

Other penalty-takers:

Goalkeeper:

Hugo Lloris (11.02%)

The French are not blessed with many penalty-stopping specialists within their ranks.

Lloris, Steve Mandanda, and Alphonse Areola are all impressive goalkeepers, but they rank near the bottom of the list among keepers still in the competition when it comes to saving penalties.

Lloris, 35, was in goal for France’s last penalty shootout, a loss to Switzerland in Euro 2020, and will be hoping to perform better than he did that night 18 months ago.

Morocco vs Portugal

Morocco

Main penalty-taker:

Former Southampton winger Sofiane Boufal has an unblemished record for both club and country, having scored 12 in total over his entire career, including three at international level.

Other penalty takers:

Goalkeeper:

Bono (18.52%)

Thirty-one-year-old goalkeeper Bono made his international debut in 2013 and has now made 48 appearances in total.

The Sevilla keeper, who has only conceded one goal so far in this tournament, has saved 18.52% of penalties he has faced in his career and could be relied on to perform further heroics for Morocco after his star turn against Spain.

Portugal

Main penalty-taker

Always the one to step up in the big moments, Cristiano Ronaldo remains Portugal’s penalty supremo, with a 76.1% conversion rate (16 out of 21) for his national team and a 85.4% conversion rate (129 out of 151) at club level.

He’s already dispatched one in the group phase and he will be hungry to get more if he’s given the nod to play in the quarter-finals.

Other penalty-takers

Goalkeeper:

Diogo Costa (29%)

Diogo Costa’s ever-rising stock in world football is down to many reasons but central to his ascent is his spectacular penalty-saving rate.

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With several saves on the biggest stage, including in the Champions League, he will be a useful weapon for Portugal if penalty shootouts do occur.

Croatia vs Brazil

Croatia

Main penalty-taker

The headliner for Croatia is Luka Modric. The shock is that he maintains a penalty conversion rate of only 72.7% (8 out of 11) for his national team, yet a 100% conversion rate in club football (12 out of 12).

Other penalty-takers:

Goalkeeper:

Dominik Livakovic (17.91%)

With two World Cup clean sheets to his name in Qatar, plus a heroic performance in the shootout win over Japan, Livakovic has been in fine form for Croatia.

The Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper, who made his international debut in 2017, is a capable penalty shot-stopper and his 17.91% career percentage shows that.

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Brazil

Main penalty-taker:

It’s Neymar. For his country, he boasts an 88% conversion rate (22 out of 25) and at club level it’s 80.9% (51 out of 63).

Other penalty-takers:

Goalkeeper:

Alisson (16.67%)

Alisson entered the tournament as arguably the best in the world in his position and his performances in Qatar thus far have strengthened his case, with the 30-year-old, who has earned 60 international caps, going the entirety of the group stage without conceding a goal.

With a respectable career penalty-save percentage of 16.67%, he has proven time and time again that he can be relied upon to keep the ball out of his net.

Whatever the outcome may be, each country will be looking to avoid taking it to shootouts.

If that does happen though, you’ll know who (and what) to expect.

(Other contributors: Mark Carey and Nnamdi Onyeagwara)

(Top photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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