Preparing for penalties: How goalkeepers get ready for World Cup shootouts - ESPN

DALLAS, Texas — Since the first World Cup penalty shootout in Spain in 1982, 39 knock-out ties have been decided from the spot. Five semifinals and three finals have been won on penalties. There have been four shootouts already this summer: won by Paraguay, Morocco, Egypt and Switzerland.

Preparing for penalties will be part of the build-up for 2026 semifinalists France, Spain, England and Argentina as they look to reach Sunday's final in New York. For the players involved, it will be one of the most nerve-wracking situations in careers already full of high pressure moments.

Historically, Argentina have had the edge. No team has faced more World Cup penalty shootouts than their seven. Of those, they've won six, including two on their way to lifting the trophy in Qatar four years ago.

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Lionel Messi holds the joint-record for the most shootout penalties scored with three (in 2014 and twice in 2022) next to Roberto Baggio and Luka Modric. He has, though, already missed two in normal time at this tournament.

Spain, meanwhile, will perhaps not feel particularly confident if their semifinal against France goes to penalties. Alongside the Netherlands, they hold the record for most penalty exits with four and they've been knocked out of the last two World Cups after shootouts — against Russia in 2018 and Morocco in 2022.

Argentina (86%) are the only 2026 semifinalist with a shootout success rate of above 50%. France (won two and lost three) stand at 40% while England (won one and lost three) are at 25%. Spain (won one, lost four) have won just 20%