Flashback: How England kept paying the penalty

Out of seven shootouts in World Cups and Euros, England have lost six. 35 penalties were taken in those events by England’s players and out of those, 23 have been scored.

That is just 65.7% of their shots going in. That sort of record is just not enough for high-pressure situations at international tournaments. And to top it all, the takers are all superstars at club level.

Here’s a look back at their penalty performances since 1990.

England vs West Germany- World Cup 1990 semifinal 

Two things this match will be remembered for — Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne’s sobbing after he was booked which meant he would miss the final, and the penalty misses from Stuart Pearce (now England U-21 and Team GB manager) and Chris Waddle in the shootout. After Andreas Brehme’s goal was cancelled out by Gary Linekar, this is what happened in the lottery.

Goal 0-1 Gary Lineker (ENG) Goal 1-1 Andreas Brehme (GER) Goal 1-2 Peter Beardsley (ENG) Goal 2-2 Lothar Matthaus (GER) Goal 2-3 David Platt (ENG) Goal 3-3 Karlheinz Riedle (GER) Miss 3-3 Stuart Pearce (ENG) Goal 4-3 Olaf Thon (GER) Miss 4-3 Chris Waddle (ENG)

Pearce’s penalty was saved by Bodo Illgner before Waddle’s shot cruised over the bar to send Germany into the finals.

England vs Spain - Euro 1996 quarter-final

In a tournament characterised by defensive football and counter-attacks, England survived Spain’s onslaught and won on penalties. This was their last win on penalties. The match was 0-0 after the stipulated time and David Seaman ended the match as hero after putting of Fernando Hierro and then saving the last penalty off Miguel Nadal.

Goal 1-0 Alan Shearer (ENG) Miss 1-0 Fernando Hierro (ESP) Goal 2-0 David Platt (ENG) Goal 2-1 Guillermo Amor (ESP) Goal 3-1 Stuart Pearce (ENG) Goal 3-2 Alberto Belsue (ESP) Goal 4-2 Paul Gascoigne (ENG) Miss 4-2 Miguel Nadal (ESP)

England vs Germany Euro 1996 semifinal

If England went into the game thinking about vengeance for their 1990 defeat, then nothing of that sort could be accomplished. It was the same old story with the Three Lions losing on penalties after Alan Shearer had cancelled out Stefan Kuntz’s goal.

Gareth Southgate was the villain this time after he missed in sudden death to give Germany the chance to win 6-5 in the shootout.

Goal 1-0 Alan Shearer (ENG) Goal 1-1 Thomas Hassler (GER) Goal 2-1 David Platt (ENG) Goal 2-2 Thomas Strunz (GER) Goal 3-2 Stuart Pearce (ENG) Goal 3-3 Stefan Reuter (GER) Goal 4-3 Paul Gascoigne (ENG) Goal 4-4 Christian Ziege (GER) Goal 5-4 Teddy Sheringham (ENG) Goal 5-5 Stefan Kuntz (GER) Miss 5-5 Gareth Southgate (ENG) Goal 5-6 Andreas Moller (GER)

England vs Argentina World Cup 1998 second round

Gabriel Batistuta and Alan Shearer scored penalties in open play before Michael Owen scored that incredible goal to put England ahead. But Javier Zanetti scored to equalise and the match went to penalties.

Goal 1-0 Sergio Berti (ARG) Goal 1-1 Alan Shearer (ENG) Miss 1-1 Hernan Crespo (ARG) Miss 1-1 Paul Ince (ENG) Goal 2-1 Juan Veron (ARG) Goal 2-2 Paul Merson (ENG) Goal 3-2 Marcelo Gallardo (ARG) Goal 3-3 Michael Owen (ENG) Goal 4-3 Roberto Ayala (ARG) Miss 4-3 David Batty (ENG)

England vs Portugal Euro 2004 quarter-final

In one of the most epic quarter-final matches England have ever contested, Michael Owen and Frank Lampard scored for England as Helder Postiga and Rui Costa were on the scoresheet for Portugal. Owen scored within three minutes before Postiga took the game to extra-time. Costa thought he had won it but Lampard struck in the 115th minute to take the match to penalties. Sol Campbell had a goal disallowed too, something the English still rue. But David Beckham’s penalty was just horrendous.

Miss 0-0 David Beckham (ENG) Goal 0-1 Deco (POR) Goal 1-1 Michael Owen (ENG) Goal 1-2 Simao (POR) Goal 2-2 Frank Lampard (ENG) Miss 2-2 Rui Costa (POR) Goal 3-2 John Terry (ENG) Goal 3-3 Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) Goal 4-3 Owen Hargreaves (ENG) Goal 4-4 Maniche (POR) Goal 5-4 Ashley Cole (ENG) Goal 5-5 Helder Postiga (POR) Miss 5-5 Darius Vassell (ENG) Goal 5-6 Ricardo (POR)

England vs Portugal World Cup 2006 quarter-final

Again Portugal, again a penalty shootout and again a loss. A goalless game led to the shootout and almost everybody missed from the England side.

Goal 0-1 Simao (POR) Miss 0-1 Frank Lampard (ENG) Miss 0-1 Hugo Viana (POR) Goal 1-1 Owen Hargreaves (ENG) Miss 1-1 Petit (POR) Miss 1-1 Steven Gerrard (ENG) Goal 1-2 Helder Postiga (POR) Miss 1-2 Jamie Carragher (ENG) Goal 1-3 Cristiano Ronaldo (POR)

After this, the loss to Italy followed. Click here for the match report.