Which nation has the most penalty shootout wins in World Cup history?

Penalty shootouts are arguably the most intense moments in a match.

There have been 30 penalty shootouts in the history of the World Cup since 1982. Japan vs Croatia was the first penalty shootout of the World Cup 2022. Penalty shootouts are arguably the most intense moments in a match. There are some big nations like England, Spain and Italy that have a bad record at penalty shootouts. England lost all three of their first penalty shootouts at the world's biggest stage. Italy and Spain have also lost three of their four World Cup shootouts. However, there are some teams who have an impeccable record of penalty shootouts.

Here are the countries with the most penalty shootout wins in World Cup history :

5. France

The defending champions of the world have been in 4 penalty shootouts. France won their first penalty shootout against Brazil in the quarter-final in 1986. They then won their second shootout against Italy in the quarter-finals of the World Cup 1998. However, France lost a penalty shootout when they needed to show up the most. In the finals of the World Cup 2006, Italy's players managed to score all of their penalties whereas France just could not. Overall France has won 2 out of 4 penalty shootouts at the World Cup.

4. Brazil

It has been quite some time since Brazil won the World Cup. The highest winners of the tournament (5 times) have failed to win it since 2002. The same case is similar in penalty shootouts as well. Brazilians have managed to win 3 out of 5 penalty shootouts in the World Cup. However one of the most impressive penalty shootout wins was Brazil vs Italy in 1994 final. Brazil bagged the trophy beating Italy 3-2. They also managed to win the penalty shootout against the Netherlands in the 1998 semifinals. The last penalty shootout they won was in 2014 against Chile in the Round Of 16. They are yet to win more on penalty shootouts after their disappointing loss against Croatia.

3. Croatia

The Croatians have won the penalty shootouts 4 times in the World Cup. Two of these wins came in the World Cup 2022. The first win was against Japan. whereas the second one was extremely shocking as Croatia equalised the scoreline against Brazil in the 117th minute. Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is undoubtedly one of the best keepers in the World Cup 2022. Livakovic saved the first two penalties against Japan giving Croatia momentum. Even against Brazil, Dominik saved the first two penalties with ease. Croatia's other two wins came in the 2018 campaign where they reached the final. Russia lost to Croatia in the Quarter Finals whereas Denmark lost in the Round Of 16.

2. Germany

The Germans are underperforming ever since winning the 2014 World Cup. However, they are undisputed champions in penalty shootouts. Germany has won all four of their penalty shootouts in the world's biggest tournament. The victory against France in the semifinals of the World Cup 1982 was the first-ever penalty shootout. Ever since then they have remained undefeated in penalties. Germany also managed to beat Argentina in the Quarter Finals of the World Cup 2006 on penalties. Argentina has only lost one penalty shootout which is 2006.

1. Argentina

The Argentinians have won five penalty shootouts out of six which is an incredible record. One of the most iconic penalty shootout victories was against the Netherlands in the World Cup 2014. Argentina won the shootouts 4-2 to progress to the finals. History repeated itself again when Argentina failed to hold on to their two-goal lead against the Netherlands in the Quarter Finals. However, Emiliano Martinez showed up when his country needed him the most. After making the first two saves, Lautaro Martinez killed the game with the score ending 4-3. Another important penalty shootout for Argentina was in the World Cup 1998 Round Of 16. Argentina beat England 4-3 to progress to the Quarter Finals.