Agony and ecstasy: A history of penalty shootouts

As the knockout stage of the men’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA draws closer, so too does the dreaded penalty shootout. Why do penalties bring so much drama and anxiety to both players and fans when they are used to decide tied games in knockout football?

Former South African captain Amanda Dlamini looks back at the history of the shootout with penalty expert and author Ben Lyttleton. South African internationals Nomathemba Ntsibande and Gabriela Moodaly‑Salgado take us through their penalty routines, while West Ham United Women’s sport psychologist Dr Adrienn Szabadics explains the psychology behind the penalty shootout.

We hear from 1999 Women’s World Cup winner Brandi Chastain about her winning penalty at that tournament, and the coach of Amanda’s former club in Johannesburg, Alexia Cassar, tells us about the role coaches play in preparing for shootouts.

Finally, commentator Andrés Cantor reminisces about the 2022 World Cup final, while South Africa goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, who is playing in this year’s World Cup, gives us an insight into how he once saved four out of five penalties in a single shootout.

Presenter: Amanda Dlamini
Producer: Tim O’Callaghan
Editor: Tom Bigwood
Technical producer: Cameron Ward
Production coordinator: Phoebe Lomas

Image: Lionel Messi of Argentina scores a penalty past Hugo Lloris of France during the FIFA World Cup 2022 final between Argentina and France at Lusail Iconic Stadium in Doha, Qatar (Credit: Tom Jenkins/Getty Images)