Women's Euro 2022 final: England's major tournament record in penalty shootouts

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - JULY 09: Players of England react after a missed penalty shot against France during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Quarter Final match between England and France at the FIFA Women's World Cup Stadium Leverkusen on July 9, 2011 in Leverkusen, Germany.
(Image credit: Kevin C. Cox - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

England take on Germany at Wembley in the final of Women's Euro 2022 this evening – and, as we know all too well, with any final comes the possibility of the dreaded penalty shootout. 

Here, we take a look at how the Lionesses have fared in the fate-deciding lottery at previous major tournaments.

What's England women's record on penalties like?

1. 1984 European Competition for Women's Football final, second leg: lost 4-3 to Sweden

A tournament with a long-winded name (as fewer than half of UEFA's members at the time took part, it couldn't be granted official status) came to a strung-out end for England, who suffered heartbreak at the hands of Sweden.

Having levelled the two-legged final at 1-1 thanks to Linda Curl's first-half strike at Kenilworth Road, it all came down to spot-kicks (there was no extra time) to crown the inaugural women's European champions.

But Curl couldn't find the net again when it mattered most, missing the opening penalty of a shootout which the Swedes went on to win 4-3.

2. 2011 Women's World Cup quarter-final: lost 4-3 to France

Twenty-seven years later, England took part in their second major tournament shootout – and they were left feeling déjà vu against the French.

In the 88th minute of normal time Élise Bussaglia cancelled out Jill Scott's opener, forcing an extra 30 minutes at Leverkusen's BayArena – during which the score remained unchanged.

The shootout got off to the perfect start for the Lionesses, with Karen Bardsley saving Camille Abily's opening penalty before Kelly Smith, Karen Carney and Casey Stoney all tucked theirs away.

But back-to-back misses from Claire Rafferty and Faye White ultimately proved decisive as Hope Powell's side were sent packing in the last eight for the second World Cup running.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...

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