Argentina vs France and the 2022 FIFA World Cup is decided by Penalty Shootout
Winners and Losers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Penalty Shootout
Losing on penalty kicks can be a very difficult way to end a soccer match, but it’s a fair way to determine a winner. Penalty kicks are seen as a fair way because both teams have the same chance to score, and the goalie has the same chance to save the shot, no matter which team is shooting. Additionally, the rules of a penalty kick are the same for both teams, so no team has an advantage over the other. Ultimately, while it may not seem fair to lose on a penalty kick, it is a fair and balanced way to decide the outcome of a soccer match.
Unless of course, you are one of the teams who bowed out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on penalty kick difference. Ouch.
2022 FIFA World Cup has a record of matches with penalty shootouts
A total of 31.2% of matches were decided on penalties once the Round of 16 started. Five matches progressed to extra time and 5 matches were decided on penalty shootouts.
The number of penalty attempts in the 2022 FIFA World cup was also the highest number ever, with 41 attempts resulting in 26 penalties scored. So the failure rate is also, spectacularly high. Keep this in mind next time the pressure is on you as you line up the ball in front of the goal!
The third time that the FIFA World Cup is decided on the Penalty Shootout
The FIFA World Cup has only been decided by penalty shootouts twice in its history. The first time was in the 1986 World Cup Final, when Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2 in a penalty shootout. The second time was in the 1994 World Cup Final, when Brazil defeated Italy 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
And now in 2022. After a thrilling final between Argentina and France, with the final score 3 goals each, the winner went down to penalties. Argentina ultimately won, with 4 goals kicked to 2.
Making Argentina’s run to victory the second time in the competition to be based on a penalty shootout. Argentinian fans had plenty of nail-biting moments in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Quarter Final Penalty Shootouts: The money was always on Argentina
Argentina went through to the Semifinals after defeating the Netherlands 4 to 3 after drawing two all. So Argentina’s penalty shootout success is unmatched in all of World Cup history. They have played a total of 7 penalty shootouts and won 6 of them. That gives them an 86% success rate against rival France’s 40%. Even before 2022, Argentina was a strong bet in any head-to-head based on penalty shootouts.
Croatia, Argentina and Morocco all advance on penalties
Croatia defeated Japan 3 penalty kicks to 1 after drawing one all in the Round of 16. Before going on to eliminate Brazil on penalties and then losing to Argentina in the semi finals.
And Morocco got the decider on penalty shootout against Spain in the same round, after drawing nil-nil. Although Croatia got the better of them in the 3rd place round, defeating Morocco by 1 goal (2-1).
The Goalie that saved the most Penalties
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, this honor goes to Dominik Livakovic of Croatia (3 against Japan and 1 against Brazil). He also holds the record for 2022 on the most penalties saved in 1 shootout. Making Dominik a firm fan favorite for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the penalty shootout stakes. In the semi finals Argentina put 3 goals past the Croatian goal-keeper but his record stands nevertheless.
2022 FIFA World Cup is decided
And so the year draws to a close, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup competition is won by Argentina to the delight of Messi fans everywhere (myself included).
My coaches are Argentinian to make the victory even sweeter and feel closer to home. The normal season continues meanwhile, and we don’t have time to celebrate too hard as we have lost our last 3 consecutive matches. After a brief Christmas holiday, we will be hard at work in the second half of the season. Happy holidays one an all.
