Penalty shootouts are arguably one of the most contentious aspects of football, eliciting strong opinions from fans and players alike. The intense emotions surrounding these moments were vividly illustrated in Monday’s knockout matches.
Germany became the first team this World Cup to experience the harsh outcome of a penalty shootout, as Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah all failed to score, resulting in a surprising defeat to Paraguay. The Netherlands, familiar with the heartbreak of shootout losses, followed suit with a lackluster performance against Morocco, who seized the opportunity effectively.
For Germany, exiting the tournament through penalties was a novel experience, as they had never faced this fate since the introduction of penalty kicks in the World Cup in 1982. Following the defeat, reports emerged suggesting a troubling lack of preparedness among the players, as key figures like Leon Goretzka and defenders Waldemar Anton, Nathaniel Brown, and Malick Thiaw reportedly refused to take penalties, leaving the responsibility to Tah, who had never executed a penalty in his professional career. His missed kick ultimately led to Germany’s elimination.
This situation raised questions about the preparedness of Germany’s head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, with many pundits criticizing the absence of a predetermined penalty order.
USMNT’s Preparation Strategies
In contrast, US head coach Mauricio Pochettino has adopted a different strategy. In an interview, he revealed that his coaching staff has collaborated with an external firm to analyze penalty kicks and set pieces in depth. While he holds a preferred order for penalty takers, he was cautious not to disclose too much.
“I don’t want to talk too much,” Pochettino stated. “But I think we are working [with outside help] because as a coaching staff we believe we can provide some tools to the players to be better and to improve, [to equip] the players to try and find the best way to face this type of situation, while knowing that it is impossible to replicate the emotional stress and the pressure and expectation that they are going to feel.”
Pochettino emphasized the importance of preparation, stating, “It is going to be [the coaching staff’s] decision, the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. We try to arrive in this moment and not ask the player if he feels confident or not confident.”
About 18 months ago, Pochettino and his team formed a working group aimed at enhancing players’ performance during set pieces. They are collaborating with Neuro11 and Trackman, two companies that specialize in sports analytics.
Neuro11 employs innovative techniques, including real-time EEG tracking, to gather data on players’ brainwaves. Previously, they assisted Liverpool FC in set-piece coaching under Jürgen Klopp. Their methodology includes unique equipment for players during penalty practice, as showcased in a video released by Liverpool in 2023.
Trackman enhances understanding of ball movement through radar and sensor data. US midfielder Sebastian Berhalter has credited Trackman for improving his set-piece performance, contributing to his selection for the World Cup roster.
Building Confidence Ahead of the Knockout Stage
As the US prepares for their upcoming last-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Bay Area on Wednesday, penalty practice has become a regular part of their routine. Many players watched Monday’s shootouts together, noting the high stakes involved. Historically, the USMNT has never encountered a penalty shootout in World Cup play, with only one notable instance being Brad Friedel’s critical penalty save against South Korea in 2002.
“It is an extremely hard thing to do, go up and take penalties,” midfielder Christian Pulisic remarked at PayPal Park, the USMNT’s current training facility. “For the people that go up and shoot it takes a lot of courage and it is not easy. Goalkeepers get better and better every year … The guys who feel the most confident to shoot will want to go up and shoot. I think that’s normal. There’ll be some players that don’t practice them as much and don’t feel good, I don’t think that’s necessarily a big problem. I feel it’s a pretty brave, courageous team, and I feel guys will give it a go.”
The US boasts several skilled penalty takers, led by Pulisic, who has successfully converted all seven of his attempts with the national team and has a strong record at club level with Milan. Similarly, forward Ricardo Pepi has yet to miss a penalty since transitioning from MLS in 2022, and Haji Wright has scored 17 of his 19 attempts over the last seven years. Folarin Balogun has also contributed to the team’s penalty efforts.
However, the situation becomes less clear further down the roster. Defender Chris Richards humorously responded when asked about taking a penalty.
“I’m a defender for a reason, man,” Richards laughed. “We try to not think about the worst-case scenario … In training, though, we prepare for everything, whether it’s penalty kicks or [extra time], we try and not leave any stone unturned. For us it’s just about approaching this game with confidence but also understanding that things don’t always go your way, so be prepared for everything.”
Stylistically, the methods of taking penalties can vary greatly. Monday’s shootouts featured unconventional approaches, including stutter steps and short run-ups, with some players attempting shots across their bodies, resulting in two attempts hitting the post in the Netherlands vs. Morocco match.
While the US observed these strategies, many of their penalty takers seemed disinterested in altering their techniques. For Pulisic and others, the notion of modifying their established approaches at this late stage felt unreasonable.
“I think everyone has their own style. I don’t think you watch and can take so much away, or try and change your style in one day,” Pulisic concluded. “I don’t have too much attacking in me, so I’m just picking my spot and going with it,”
Richards added with a laugh, “I don’t have too much attacking in me, so I’m just picking my spot and going with it.”
