England Wins Euro 2025 Quarterfinals Penalty Shootout vs Sweden

The Euro 2025 quarter-final between England and Sweden was a dramatic encounter that saw England come back from two goals down to force extra time and eventually win 3-2 on penalties, booking a semi-final spot against Italy. The penalty shootout was notably poor, with only five of 14 penalties scored, reflecting a widespread issue with spot-kick accuracy in the tournament, where missed penalties have become a prominent feature. This trend was also seen in other matches, such as Spain's semi-final against Switzerland, where Spain missed two penalties, highlighting the challenges players face under high-pressure conditions. Experts have noted that penalty kicks are difficult to practice realistically, especially amid the intense atmosphere of major tournaments, which can lead to such surprising outcomes. These recent events have drawn comparisons to historical moments like the Finland 1984 European Championship, emphasizing how penalty struggles are a recurring theme in football. The new season's football rule changes, including regulations on captain communication and drop-ball procedures, may influence game dynamics but do not directly address penalty-taking challenges.