England's penalty shootout record: How often have the Three Lions won and lost?

It has reached the point where the mere thought of a penalty shootout is enough to send shivers down the spines of even the most optimistic England fans.

For some unknown reason, the Three Lions and spot-kicks don't seem to mix, with even the most talented English players crumbling under the pressure of the 12-yard showdown.

Penalties have haunted England for generations at major tournaments throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, but they have managed to win a few too.

GOAL takes a look at England's penalty shootout record at the World Cup, European Championship and Nations League, as well as those who stepped up to hit them.

Contents

1. What is England's overall penalty shootout record?
2. What is England's penalty shootout record at the World Cup?
3. What is England's penalty shootout record at the European Championship?
4. What is England's penalty shootout record in the Nations League?

What is England's overall penalty shootout record?

England have been in 11 penalty shootouts at major international tournaments (World Cup, European Championship and Nations League), losing seven and winning four.

As of the 2022 edition, the Three Lions have been involved in four shootouts at the World Cup. They won their first at a World Cup in 2018 when they defeated Colombia in the last-16 stage.

Prior to their spot-kick triumph over the Colombians, England had lost in 2006 against Portugal in the quarter-finals, in 1998 against Argentina in the last 16 and in 1990 against Germany in the semi-final. 

*West Germany in 1990

In the European Championship, England have a near identical record, having lost four penalty shootouts and won just two. They lost to Italy in the quarter-final of Euro 2012, bowed out against Portugal in the quarter-final of Euro 2004 and were beaten by Germany in the semi-final of Euro 96. They lost to Italy again in the Euro 2020 final before winning in Germany against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-final.

Their first penalty shootout victory at a European Championship came in the quarter-final of Euro 96 against Spain. They had to wait another 28 years before beating Switzerland.

They competed in a penalty shootout in the 2018-19 Nations League third-place play-off, beating Switzerland.

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What is England's penalty shootout record at the World Cup?

England have competed in four penalty shootouts at the World Cup: in 1990, 1998, 2006 and 2018.

Until their 2018 win over Colombia in Russia, England had lost all of their penalty shootouts at World Cups, having been beaten by West Germany in 1990, Argentina in 1998 and Portugal in 2006.

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World Cup 1990: West Germany 1-1 England AET (West Germany won 4-3 on penalties)

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World Cup 1998: Argentina 2-2 England AET (Argentina won 4-3 on penalties)

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World Cup 2006: England 0-0 Portugal AET (Portugal won 3-1 on penalties)

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World Cup 2018: Colombia 1-1 England AET (England won 4-3 on penalties)

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What is England's penalty shootout record at the European Championship?

England have been in a total of five penalty shootouts at the European Championship, losing three and winning two.

The Three Lions beat Spain in the quarter-final of Euro 96 before losing to Germany in the semi-final of the same tournament.

Since then, they lost to Portugal in the quarter-final of Euro 2004 and Italy twice - in the quarter-final of Euro 2012 and the final in 2020.

They bounced back from Euro 2020 heartache by beating Switzerland in the quarter-final of the following tournament.

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Euro 96: Spain 0-0 England AET (England won 4-2 on penalties)

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Euro 96: Germany 1-1 England AET (Germany won 6-5 on penalties)

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Euro 2004: Portugal 2-2 England AET (Portugal won 6-5 on penalties)

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Euro 2012: England 0-0 Italy AET (Italy won 4-2 on penalties)

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Euro 2020: Italy 1-1 England AET (Italy won 3-2 on penalties)

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Euro 2024: England 1-1 Switzerland AET (England won 5-3 on penalties)

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What is England's penalty shootout record in the Nations League?

England have competed in one penalty shootout at the Nations League, winning one - against Switzerland.

Nations League 2019: Switzerland 0-0 England AET (England won 6-5 on penalties

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