Penalty shootouts remain a high-stakes drama in the World Cup, with certain nations developing distinct histories from the spot. The Netherlands and Spain share a record for the most shootout defeats with four losses each, having only secured one victory from five attempts and missing nine penalties combined. England has also struggled, accumulating three shootout losses and eight missed penalties.

Argentina stands out as the most successful nation, winning six of their seven shootouts, including their 2022 final triumph. Croatia boasts a perfect record, winning all four of their World Cup shootouts. Germany, however, experienced their first World Cup shootout loss this summer against Paraguay, bringing their record to four wins in five attempts. Mexico holds the worst success rate at 29%, scoring only two of seven penalties.

Individually, Lionel Messi and Luka Modric are the only players to score in three different World Cup shootouts, both with perfect success rates. Goalkeepers like Danijel Subasic and Dominik Livakovic have made significant impacts, saving four penalties each in shootouts. The strategic use of substitutes specifically for shootouts, like Tim Krul in 2014, has also proven decisive in some encounters.