England's penalty shootout against Sweden at Euro 2025 was notable for its chaos, with a total of 14 attempts yielding only five successful penalties. Ellen White described the experience as akin to watching a horror film. Despite advancements in data and psychological coaching, the unpredictable nature of pressure remains a factor for players. The shootout had a low conversion rate of 36%, marking it as the worst in Women's Euros history, surpassing previous records of failed attempts in significant competitions, including the infamous 1986 European Cup final.
England became the first side at the Women's Euros to miss three successive penalties in a shootout and still go through. The 36% conversion rate of spot-kicks in Zurich was the worst of any shootout in the competition's history.
When BBC pundit Ellen White described it as "terrifying watching", she was spot on; this was the football coach's version of The Exorcist.
The myth of penalties being a lottery has been dispelled in the era of football coaching driven by data and psychology, but pressure can impact player performance.
For the worst shootout on a major European stage, there is only one answer: the 1986 European Cup final where only 25% of spot-kicks found the net.
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