The Return of Penalty Shoot-Outs
Now that we have closed out the group stage of the World Cup, we are on to the knockout phase where we’ll start hearing a lot about golden goals and penalty shoot-outs. While both provide great drama, in most World Cup competitions they are not a frequent occurrence.
Looking back through the record books (PDF), you’ll see that since penalty shoot-outs were first introduced in 1982, a total of 16 World Cup matches have been decided in this fashion. Here is the breakdown by tournament:
1982 – 1
1986 – 3
1990 – 4
1994 – 3
1998 – 3
2002 – 2
If this history trend holds true, we can expect about 3 of the final 16 games remaining to be decided by penalties.
How much of an advantage does the penalty taker have over the keeper? According to FIFA statistics, the kicker holds all the cards. In the history of the tournament, 182 penalties have been awarded with 147 converted or 81 per cent. Thirty-five have been missed with 22 of those saved by the ‘keeper.
The Golden Goal was first introduced in 1993. FIFA defines the Golden Goal as the following: “During the period of extra time played at the end of normal playing time, the team which scores the first goal is declared the winner.”
Golden Goals have occurred with less frequency (PDF) than penalty shoot-outs. There was one in 1998 and three in 2002.
Will we see either in today’s matches? Can’t wait to find out.
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Comments
By Vin | June 24th, 2006 at 7:53 am 
Having seen my Azzurri knocked out twice, once in the semifinals and once in the final by PK shootouts, I HATE THEM.
It’s no way to settle a soccer match, although I guess they have to end it some way, in my opinion, you might as well flip a coin.
Posted from 
United States
By Dave Hamilton | June 24th, 2006 at 2:00 pm No way to know if either will materialize, but I have a love/hate relationship with the shootouts. As an American sports fan, I love the high drama of the moment, but as a student of the game and one who has played it as well, it is a horrible, horrible way to decide a match. You said it yourself. The kicker has an enormous advantage and to blame — or credit for that matter — a keeper for a loss that has already gone overtime and where perhaps all who played “left it all on the field” is not always justice. The golden goal concept I like much better. It forces all to give what is left and if a mistake is made, so be it — bring out the goat horns.
All that having been said, EITHER of these ways is preferable to a REFEREE deciding a match. This bumper crop of officials working this Cup have been very marginal in my book and straining unsuccessfully to fill what I call the “Collina void.” It seems like every match I see has at least one very glaring official’s brain-fart (witness that gift-wrapped PK given to Ghana, Shevchenko’s flop in the box that netted a similar reward, a French goal that a blind man could have seen being ruled not a goal, to name a FEW) which may eventually lead to instant replays at least in some situations.
Dave hamildav@yahoo.com
Posted from United States
By Cocoliso | June 24th, 2006 at 4:37 pm It is worth mentioning that the ‘94 final was decided by penalties.
http://www.planetworldcup.com/CUPS/1994/final_bra_v_ita.html
No goals after 120′… way to go in order to disband the American public.
Posted from 
Spain
By Craig | June 24th, 2006 at 4:54 pm There’s no chance we’ll see any golden goals this year - rightly, they’ve been scrapped by FIFA.
Posted from 
United Kingdom
By enzo | June 25th, 2006 at 12:20 am I don’t believe in the penalty shootout. A game of football is like a three course gourmet meal. The penalty shootout reminds me of fast food. My view is that there should be extra time with a golden goal. If the games has been decided after 30 mins. then each team is reduced to 8 players for extra time of 20 mins. increments, and this will go on until someone scores, even if it takes all day. The spectators will be satisfied that the game is settled during play. I do not accept the argument that because penalties are part of the game then this must be the method to settle a deadlock.
Posted from 
Australia
By bosompem | June 25th, 2006 at 12:47 am I wonder why there`re still soccer loving fans in the USA who do not want to accept the fact that Ghana is better in playing soccer than their “almighty” team USA.The truth is team USA can play Ghana one million times,the results will be the same,loosing to Ghana.Wherever they`ll want to play Ghana; under the sea,in the air,or any planet created by God,USA cannot and will not be able to beat Ghana,ever.Period.So Dave,stop describing the penalty to Ghana as godsent or dubious.World cup soccer is not like US NBA finals, where officialdom makes sure a true champion is stripped off the trophy simply b`cos the owner is outspoken and therefore dislike him and a true NBA champions.The whole world saw it in games 3&5 of the NBA finals.
Posted from United States
By Lars | June 27th, 2006 at 6:05 am bosompem,
Just forgive them, they are a little bitter, but most true fans know that and accepted the fact that Ghana is a better team. Most us fans are converts from baseball who were used to listening to commentators with stats and good only at shouting and reduculing players and teams in their obscene sport shows, little they know that soccer commentart works diffenetly. Also don’t forget every match has its situations especially when the other team play is search and destroy and that’s what in that game. The us did not allow ghana to show what they are capable. But, in the end, because of the resources in this country I believe we will overtake many true footballing nations in their own game sooner rather than later. Good luck for Ghana in their next game.
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