We’re in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, and the tension of a penalty shootout is in the back of everybody’s minds.
Argentina know all about penalty shootouts, having beaten both the Netherlands and France by this method en route to winning the competition for a third time in 2022.
Of course, England are no strangers to a shootout. The Three Lions have arguably faced more heartache from 12 yards than any other major nation, most recently crashing out against France from the spot four years ago. However, they have also enjoyed World Cup success recently, beating Colombia on penalties in the 2018 round of 16.
Despite the increased number of teams, there have only been four shootouts at this summer’s tournament so far, and none involving any of the four semi-finalists. So, what do we know about England and Argentina’s overall World Cup penalty shootout records to help us judge their chances should they go all the way on Wednesday?
England vs Argentina penalty analysis
England World Cup penalty analysis
England fans do not have happy memories of World Cup penalty shootouts. Even though they did win their most recent one. The Three Lions beat Colombia on penalties en route to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, in what was a dramatic match. But it also brought a bit of history, as England’s first World Cup penalty shootout win. They had lost their first three, a joint record for the most consecutive shootout defeats.
The first came at Italia 90 against West Germany. England had scored their first three penalties, going toe-to-toe with West Germany in the semi-finals. But Stuart Pearce and then Chris Waddle both missed, sending England out. Eight years later, England were dumped out on penalties in the last-16, this time by Argentina. Paul Ince and David Batty were the players to miss, but the game will always be remembered more for David Beckham’s red card. And, in 2006, England only scored one of their four penalties against Portugal — thwarted by an inspired performance from Ricardo in goal.
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Penalty shootouts contested | 4 |
| Penalty shootouts won | 1 |
| Penalty shootouts lost | 3 |
| Penalties scored | 11 |
| Penalties missed/saved | 8 |
Argentina World Cup penalty record
Argentina have taken part in more World Cup penalty shootouts than any other team, with seven. They’ve also won six of those, another World Cup best. And they’re one of just three teams to win the World Cup thanks to a penalty shootout. Argentina’s first World Cup penalty shootout came in 1990, and they had two in that tournament. In the quarter-finals, Argentina beat Yugoslavia 3-2 on penalties, in a shootout that saw Diego Maradona miss. They then beat Italy 4-3 on penalties in the semi-finals, with Maradona scoring to put them on the brink.
Argentina’s next penalty shootout came in France 98, knocking England out in the last-16. Despite Hernan Crespo missing his penalty, Argentina held their nerve and won thanks to misses from Paul Ince and David Batty. La Albiceleste suffered their first and only World Cup penalty shootout defeat in 2006, beaten by — shock — Germany. Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso missed for Argentina in that shootout, with the latter’s miss ending the tie. But Argentina won back-to-back shootouts against the Netherlands in 2014 and 2022. Then, of course, there was the World Cup Final in 2022, which Argentina won by beating France on penalties thanks to Emiliano Martinez’s heroics.
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Penalty shootouts contested | 7 |
| Penalty shootouts won | 6 |
| Penalty shootouts lost | 1 |
| Penalties scored | 25 |
| Penalties missed/saved | 6 |
Who will take England’s penalties?
England do have a fair few penalty takers in their team. Obviously, Harry Kane will lead any possible penalty shootout should he finish the game. He has scored in both of his penalty shootouts for England, at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2024. Kane has also scored in three penalty shootouts at club level. And let’s not forget his 109 penalties scored in-game (compared to 14 missed), including two already at the World Cup this summer.
Jude Bellingham has also scored in his only penalty shootout for England, coolly beating Yann Sommer in the quarter-final win over Switzerland at Euro 2024. He has also scored in both of his shootouts at club level, for Real Madrid in the Champions League. Overall, Bellingham doesn’t have much experience from penalties in-game, though he has still scored four of his five.
Then there are the likes of Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka, both of whom missed in the Euro 2020 final but will not shy away from the responsibility. The latter has scored in shootouts for England since.
Predicted England penalty order
- Harry Kane
- Jude Bellingham
- Bukayo Saka
- Marcus Rashford
- Ivan Toney
Who will take Argentina’s penalties?
Lionel Messi has missed two penalties at the World Cup this summer. But he’ll still be Argentina’s first taker. Throughout his career, Messi has scored 116 of his 150 penalties in games for club and country. He scored four at the 2022 World Cup en route to Argentina lifting the trophy. In shootouts alone, Messi has scored in 11 of 13 for club and country.
Lautaro Martinez should also be a guarantee for the shootout if he’s still on the pitch. The Inter Milan striker may save himself for the fifth kick, when it could matter most. Martinez has scored 19 of his 28 penalties in games for club and country, including one against Jordan earlier in the tournament. He has also scored three in five penalty shootouts, including two in two for Argentina.
Gonzalo Montiel has also taken a fair few penalties in shootouts for Argentina, always ready to put himself in the tense moments. And he has had success, scoring in the 2022 World Cup Final. Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister will also no doubt throw their names in the hat, with the former having a decent record from the spot, even with a few misses.
Predicted Argentina penalty order
- Lionel Messi
- Alexis Mac Allister
- Gonzalo Montiel
- Enzo Fernandez
- Lautaro Martinez
Who will win if England vs Argentina goes to penalties?
England have improved drastically at penalties in recent years, winning three of their last four compared to just one of their first seven. However, there is still recent pain with that Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, while an overall record of 4/11 (all competitions) doesn’t inspire confidence.
By contrast, Argentina are the World Cup shootout kings and have very recent experience of winning a major tournament via this method. With that in mind, you have to back La Albiceleste’s know-how, should it go this far.
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