How successful is England in penalty series in major football competitions?
England’s record in major penalty shootouts is poor overall, especially for the men’s team: based on the widely cited major-tournament record, they have won 2 of 8 shootouts, a 25% win rate. That said, England’s penalty-taking inside matches has been much stronger than their shootout record suggests, so the “bad at penalties” label is a bit misleading.
What the numbers say
- In major tournament shootouts, England have historically struggled, with wins and losses skewing heavily against them.
- In in-game penalties, England have performed far better, with one study finding a 90% conversion rate in international tournaments.
- The gap between normal penalties and shootouts is the key story: pressure, keeper analysis, and the one-by-one format appear to hurt England more than the act of taking a penalty itself.
Recent context
England’s women have improved that broader narrative in a big way, winning a major shootout against Spain to retain the European title at Euro 2025. That means the overall “England in penalties” story is now more mixed than the old stereotype suggests, even if the men’s shootout history still weighs heavily.
In one line
England are not terrible at penalties in general , but their major- tournament shootout record has been notably weak over time.
| Category | England record | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Major tournament shootouts | 2 wins from 8 | Historically poor |
| In-game international penalties | About 90% conversion in one study | Strong by international standards |