A penalty shootout is used in soccer/football matches to determine a winner when the score is tied after regulation and extra time. It involves each team taking turns shooting penalty kicks, with the team that scores the most winning. If the score is still tied after five penalty kicks each, the shootout goes to sudden death.
What is sudden death in a penalty shootout?
Sudden death in a penalty shootout means that the shootout continues past the initial five penalty kicks per team, and the team that scores a goal first is declared the winner. During sudden death, the shootout proceeds as follows:
- The teams take turns shooting penalties, one after the other
- If one team scores and the other team misses, the team that scored wins immediately, regardless of how many penalties each has taken
- This continues until one team scores and the other does not, ending the shootout
So in sudden death, scoring a goal immediately wins the shootout, while missing a penalty kick immediately loses it. There is no opportunity for the other team to respond if a goal is scored.
When does a shootout go to sudden death?
A penalty shootout only goes to sudden death if the score is still tied after the initial round of five penalty kicks per team. For example:
- Team A takes 5 penalties, scoring 3
- Team B takes 5 penalties, also scoring 3
- The score is tied 3-3 after 10 penalties total
- At this point, sudden death begins
If one team had scored more than the other after five penalties each, they would win the shootout without needing sudden death. But since the score was equal, they keep taking turns in the sudden death phase until one team scores and the other doesn’t.
Why is it called “sudden death”?
It’s called “sudden death” because as soon as one team scores, the shootout immediately ends and that team wins. There is no chance for the other team to get another kick to stay alive. The match is decided in that sudden instant.
This contrasts with the initial phase of the shootout, where even if a team misses a penalty, the shootout continues and they get another opportunity to kick. In sudden death, there are no second chances – the next goal wins.
What is the strategy in sudden death?
The strategy for teams in a sudden death shootout is to simply score their next penalty, while hoping their opponent misses theirs. Some key strategies include:
- Putting their best penalty takers first – don’t save your best for last, they need to shoot now.
- Shooting low and hard, making it difficult for the goalkeeper to save.
- Targeting the corners of the goal, as these are harder for the keeper to reach.
- Trying to get in the goalkeeper’s head, such as by stuttering during the run-up or using other mind games.
- Having your goalkeeper prepare by studying the opponent’s tendencies and dive early if needed.
Beyond taking the best penalties possible, it’s also about confidence, concentration, and handling the immense pressure. Whichever team holds their nerve best will likely prevail.
Famous examples of sudden death shootouts
Some iconic examples of major tournaments being decided in sudden death include:
- 1994 World Cup Final – Brazil defeated Italy after Roberto Baggio missed his penalty to give Brazil the title.
- 1996 Euro Cup Final – Germany’s Oliver Bierhoff scored to beat Czech Republic.
- 2012 Champions League Final – Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich when Bastian Schweinsteiger missed his kick.
- 2018 World Cup Round of 16 – Russia knocked out Spain after Iago Aspas had his shot saved.
These moments prove how dramatic and crushing sudden death can be, with a single miss deciding the fates of teams and players.
Records in sudden death shootouts
Some notable records involving sudden death shootouts include:
- Most consecutive penalties scored in sudden death: 16, in a 2005 Namibian Cup match when KK Palace beat Civics 17-16 after 48 penalty kicks.
- Most total penalties taken: 52, in the 2005 Namibian Cup semi-final between Blue Waters and Pretoria Callies. Pretoria won the shootout 17-16.
- Highest scoring shootout: 40 goals total, in the 2006 Copa Libertadores match between Club Sportivo San Lorenzo and River Plate. San Lorenzo won 15-12 after 44 penalties.
- Most penalties saved by a goalkeeper in sudden death: 3, by Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas against Greece in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.
These records demonstrate how marathon-like and unbelievable sudden death shootouts can become, especially when two evenly-matched teams continue the sequence for dozens of kicks.
Controversies surrounding sudden death
Despite the drama it adds, there are some controversies surrounding sudden death:
- It can be cruel and heartbreaking to lose from one missed penalty after a two-hour match.
- It is very random and arbitrary – one moment can undo all the efforts of a team.
- Some view it as an unfair way to decide major tournaments.
- The team that shoots second may have an advantage, as they know what they need to match or beat.
Alternatives like “ABBA” sequencing have been proposed to address some of these concerns. But so far, football has stuck with traditional sudden death as the ultimate tiebreaker, despite the pain it can cause.
Conclusion
Sudden death is a simple but nerve-wracking way to settle tied football matches – the first team scoring wins instantly. It provides drama yet heartbreak like few other events in sports. Its immediacy and finality give penalty shootouts their captivating yet cruel reputation. While controversial, sudden death retains its place at the end of the most important football games when scores are level and there must be a winner.